# 2. 7/5/10 12:32 AM by Zzyzx
I don't think the comparison is a stretch. Some critical things cost blood. We are redeemed by Christ's blood, and our nation was and is redeemed by human blood.
"And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood." D&C 101:80
"I say to you that the price of liberty is and always have been blood, human blood, and if our liberties are lost, we shall never regain them except at the price of blood. They must not fail." -- President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. (Stand Fast by Our Constitution p. 137)
I am so sad the Savior had to be crucified and so sad so many have had to give their lives for our freedom. But, I will always be incredibly grateful for both.
# 3. 7/5/10 1:25 AM by Jolene
Your talents are not hiding, they are graciously shared. You are a brilliant man. Absolutely a wonderful column. A song we sing over and over again. Tears of thankfulness to you for a piercing column I will never forget. God bless you for daydreaming during church. :)
# 4. 7/5/10 5:36 AM by Rick - Lehi Ut
We sang this song to at our church for our opening hymn.. But our bishop did something that was odd and I am not sure was right.. He said since we don't have a flag we will just stay seated while singing it.. It is the FIRST time I had ever seen that song sung with out standing. (I sat anyway since I played the organ, and I messed up on the last verse)
Editor's Note: the bishop was mistaken. you are honoring the song and what it represents -- the country -- not the flag.
# 5. 7/5/10 6:50 AM by OldVietVet - Rochester, NY
Right. But I didn't go to an Independance Day Celebration. Instead I read of the election of 1800, and Hamiltons' arm twisting in the House of Reps. to persuade the Federalists to resolve the tie vote by voting for Republican and arch enemy Tom Jefferson, so that Aaron Burr wouldn't be the third President. And Hamilton would lose his life to Burr, finally,though in a gentlemanly sort of way.
# 6. 7/5/10 7:33 AM by Bev - SLC UT
Wow! That just gave me goose bumps! Thank you!I am just going out to put out our flag! There is much to be grateful for!
# 7. 7/5/10 7:45 AM
I suppose we're suppose to tie this to conservatives being the good guys.
# 8. 7/5/10 8:19 AM
Washington and the Battle of Trenton.
Editor's Note: arguably the most important victory in american history
# 9. 7/5/10 8:31 AM by Shaun - Provo
Thank you Bob. As we sang the same song yesterday I again got choked up.
A trip to Fort Mc Henry a few months ago only helped me understand and appreciate our national anthem more.
I have not been to the holy land. I hope I still appreciate fully what was done there.
Happy 4th (and 5th).
# 10. 7/5/10 8:55 AM by eh Rod - CANADA`
It's fascinating to see how you can take the history of a violent revolution and the fiction of the bible and roll it all into one neat little story. Well done. But it's still telling that your national anthem is actually just a war song. Peace.
# 11. 7/5/10 9:30 AM by Jodi - Wayne County East
Wow! Fighting the good fight. Both morally and physically. " He who ENDURES to the end WILL BE SAVED".
Jesus set the ultimate example the midst of great adversity. Many good men of faith as well. Not by selfishness and entitlement, but by necessity, selflessness, appreciation and gratitude.
Great moral character,purpose and strength is formed and perfected only in and through the crucible of great suffering, great adversity and great sacrifice.
If we could only get them to teach this in our public school system.
# 12. 7/5/10 9:34 AM by Tom Dey - Springwater, NY
I was always on the verge of flunking history in school - couldn't remember dates. But I had already made the connection that the closing salvo of both the Star Spangled Banner and the Gettysburg Address carry the same admonition forward to future generations - liberty isn't gratis and requires constant nurturing and sacrifice. Today the future of the Republic is as uncertain as ever...and too many citizens and politicians seem actively oblivious to the signs of danger. That we prevailed before doesn't guarantee that we will again. Your column is uplifting as it should be this Holiday weekend. We celebrate the benefits of America and must guard its persistence.
# 13. 7/5/10 9:44 AM by Beth - Canandaigua, NY
# 10. 7/5/10 8:55 AM by eh Rod - CANADA` It's fascinating to see how you can take the history of a violent revolution and the fiction of the bible and roll it all into one neat little story. Well done. But it's still telling that your national anthem is actually just a war song. Peace.
Interesting comment from someone's whose homeland's claim to fame is beer and the violent sport of hockey.
# 14. 7/5/10 9:51 AM by ex-pansy
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep
~Frost
# 15. 7/5/10 10:26 AM by JT - Rochester
I hung out with friends and family, had a few beers, smoked a little weed, and ended the day with fireworks. I think the founding fathers would have rather spent the day with me than with your ponderous battle to prove your a better American than everyone else.
Editor's Note: americans obey the law
# 16. 7/5/10 11:03 AM by Mike Rosenhan - Kearns, UT
Rod, you are still an incredible idiot. Your propensity for stupid remarks never fails to make me laugh. Most patriotic songs are war songs. Of course since you left for Canada, you have forgotten what patriotism is.
My favorite verse is the third.
"Oh thus be it ever when free men shall stand, between their loved homes and the wars desolation! Bless with victory and peace, may the heaven rescued land, Praise the power that hath made, and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!" And the Star spangled Banner in triumph shall waive. O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave."
That talks about our nation being protected by God, which it seems, we have forgotten about.
I had chills go up and down my spine yesterday when singing it as the closing song. Especially during the third verse. It brought a tear or two to my eye.
During the hymn I reflected on my Son and his decision to serve his country in the U.S. Army. He will graduate in April from BYU and be commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant. I could not be more proud of him.
# 17. 7/5/10 12:15 PM by JOHN - MOUNTMORRISNY
I enjoyed this column.
As I smile with reverent humble pride in our country's past, present, and future; I also think of how to right the apparent wrongs of some of our elected officials.
It is not through blood, or war that we win peace with honor, with our own countrymen, but with logic, reason, and rational thinking of innate wisdom, not always the perceived artificial intelligence of our computer "age".
At any rate, I salute you as an audacious American willing to go against the grain, as it were.
And of all the things I have found in life, I treasure those moments, when the words, or actions,
of one man can
"INSPIRE" a great number of people to
"DO THE RIGHT THING."
(Francis S. Key, and Jesus H. Christ??)
God bless you and yours always, an "old" neighbor...
# 18. 7/5/10 12:33 PM by Diane White - Salt Lake
My grandmother lost her husband and had several children at home. Some of her sons fought in WWII in Canadian forces and my father fought in the US forces. She was fortunate as they all came home. My father fought with Brits, Canadians and Americans in several skirmishes and he had German ancestry which means he could have fought his own family members. Greedy leaders who want more land, control of people and power create war situations and we fight to keep our freedom and safety for our homeland, our homes and our families. Bully's are out there always, and we must stand united against those bully's or lose our desired way of life, be we everyday Brits, everyday Canadians, everyday Americans etc, etc.
# 19. 7/5/10 1:07 PM by Nathan
When I read the poster who threw back a few beers and smoked weed, it's no wonder our country is in the shape it's in. There is no American pride, will to work voluntarily for the common good and parents willing to take the time to teach their kids what being an American is all about. It's people like him, that make us look lazy, products of consumption and he probably has broken down cars and old mattresses in his front yard. Clean up your act buddy and grow up. You probably celebrate every Friday night just like you celebrated Independence Day but you are dependent on drugs and alchohol so stick with Friday night celebrations. Miss you in Utah Bob!
# 20. 7/5/10 2:21 PM by Eli - Clarendon NY
Getting ready for church yesterday, I actually hesitated before putting on a "Proud to Be an American" shirt.
As a conservative Christian, and Vietnam vet, I'm extremely proud of our nation's past and her accomplishments.
Not so much in the present, and the direction in which we are headed. Socialism, an administration constantly apologizing for our past, a military force restrained by political handcuffs, the explosion of the entitlement mentality, and a lack of emphasis on personal responsibility are nothing to be proud of.
Add the fact that I personally believe our once great nation is beyond the point of no return, pride in my country as it is today is waning as quickly as our once strong principles.
# 21. 7/5/10 2:47 PM by wishfulthinker
Your last line is such a thoughtful beautiful ending. "And if it ever falls to us to fight through the night, to labor for good in an oblivious world, then perhaps we can take satisfaction in knowing that we are following in heroic and hallowed footsteps".
What they died for makes so much more sense than the idiots we are trying to keep at bay today. I think a just punishment for any one that gullable would be to grant them their selfish desire for 70 virgins in the after life and then they remain virgin for eternity but turn into nagging shrews, each capable of making their life an eternal Hell.
# 22. 7/5/10 3:28 PM by Bill - Brighton
Well, Rod. Maybe if you guys had had a revolution back in the day you wouldn't still be singing God save the little old lady with the funny hat!
# 23. 7/5/10 4:57 PM by Rich - Rochester, NY
Regarding your poll: I worked.
# 24. 7/5/10 5:00 PM by TPyoungfan - WJ, UT
A truly beautiful comparison Bob, your insight never ceases to amaze me. I was very disappointed when my congregation did not sing The Star Spangled Banner in church yesterday. It's also very disappointing to see other young people who do not understand or even care about anything this country was based upon. I hope to be listening to you on the radio again very soon. Keep up the good work.
# 25. 7/5/10 6:17 PM by rachel - Orem, UT
Saturday night I watched the celebrations and felt a bit numb. The annual rituals that are played out seemed a bit meaningless this year. Today must be my 4th of July. Your comments have once again inspired me and my heart is full on this, the day after, the holiday we commemerate of when our nations independance was won. It is always a sweet note when reminded of what our Savior went through for us - What a terrific analagy.
Thanks
# 26. 7/6/10 1:35 AM by Michael - Las Vegas
We sang this song the week before the Fourth, for some reason. (Given the date, "Praise to the Man" might have been more relevant.) But it had the effect of making me think of the song all week leading up to Independence Day. Nearly every morning as full consciousness came upon my mind, I'd hear echoes of "then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, and this be our motto: In God is Our Trust."
# 27. 7/6/10 10:52 AM by Beverly
Thanks for the review and the reminder.
# 28. 7/6/10 11:30 AM by Beverly
Thanks for the review and the reminder.
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