I love Captain Moroni.
He is such an amazing icon of righteousness, leadership, and
Inspiration. He stands right up there
with the Savior as examples what to be – prophetically even the adversary
cowers to his greatness. And what is he
most famous for… fastening his cloak on a stick. That Title of Liberty still inspires all who
come to know of its purpose.
Until recently, I have always felt that story was a thing of
the past, a tribute to the victory which he fought and won. Although I have heard it said that President
Ezra Taft Benson could have been compared to Captain Moroni due to his valiant
support of the constitution and the liberties guaranteed therein. That idea intrigued me… that a parallel of
scriptural occurrences could be happening in my lifetime. So when I was recently studying, it occurred to
me that the Title of Liberty has been comparitively posted and is flying on a flagpole in
the form of a Proclamation that has gone to all the world.
Moroni said,
In memory of our God, our
religion, and freedom,
and our peace, our wives, and our children.
The Family
Proclamation goes a little more into the details of our doctrine though I found
the parallels to be interesting.
In memory of our God:
“All human beings – male and female –
are created in the image of God. Each is
a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a
divine nature and destiny.”
Identifying and understanding our divine origin is a pretty significant thing to remember.
Identifying and understanding our divine origin is a pretty significant thing to remember.
In memory of our
freedom: “In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and
worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which his children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience …” The plan of Salvation is the epitome of
preserving our freedom.
In memory of our peace:
“Husbands and wives – mothers and fathers- will be held accountable before God
for the discharge of these obligations.” And “Happiness in family life is most
likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ”.
In memory of our
wives: “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care other…”
In memory of our
children: “Children are an heritage of the Lord (Psalm 127:3) Parents have
a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness…” and “Children
are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony and to be reared by a
father and mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.”
And then comes the fastening
on the pole and compelling the
King-men to defend their country… or else. "We warn that individuals who
violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to
fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further we warn that the disintegration of
the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities
foretold by ancient and modern prophets?”
And finally The Call
to Arms: “We call upon responsible
citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures
designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of
society."
I’m not sure why seeing the Family Proclamation as a modern
day Title of Liberty seems to raise its importance just a little more as well
as engage my patriotism to stand behind our modern-day Captain Moroni in defending
these remembrances in an ever forgetful society.
