Sabbath Devotional :: On Patriotism

Ten years ago, my husband got a job teaching music in the Bronx. We packed up our four kids and took the scenic route from our home in Utah to New York state, where I had never been. As we followed the GPS, we drove into upstate New York from Pennsylvania, and I was awestruck by the beauty. I was also surprised by the emotion I felt. I felt as if I were coming home, to the place where I belong. I felt the spirit very strongly telling me that I was on sacred ground.

Well, that made sense. Upstate New York is where Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. It’s where the gospel began to be restored. It’s where Moroni once walked in mortality and appeared as an angel. It is a sacred place.

Our GPS took us out of New York, across Pennsylvania, and into New Jersey. The next day we crossed the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan. I grew up in the Rocky Mountains, and my family spent most of our vacations in the great outdoors. I have never considered myself a city person. So I was very surprised that the feeling of both homecoming and belonging returned as we entered the city. Once again, I felt the spirit very strongly telling me that I was on sacred ground.

We only lived in New York for a few years, and during that time I learned to appreciate why it is a sacred place. Colonies such as Massachusetts and Pennsylvania were founded by people seeking religious freedom — but only for people who worshiped like they did. New York was founded for financial and business pursuits. And I think that purpose in settlement actually led to more religious freedom. New York did and does accept anyone. It is a refuge to religious minorities who can build small communities as they mingle in a truly diverse city. It is a place of gathering. In one sense, missionaries called to New York City truly preach to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (D&C 133:37).

Lehi told his sons: “We have obtained a land of promise. . . Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord” (2 Nephi 1:5). I believe the people coming to America, even today, are being led by the hand of the Lord.

I love America. One of my multi-generational family traditions is celebrating the Fourth of July at the Provo parade — complete with flags, military tributes, and marching bands. I love the patriotic feelings these celebrations stir within me.

But I sometimes question the concept of patriotism. The days following the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol were very difficult for me. I was horrified to see fellow Americans attacking the institutions of democracy. I felt angry and discouraged. But mostly, I felt a deep sadness.

That weekend, I attended my son’s basketball game at the local high school. My heart was heavy. When it was time to stand for the national anthem, I hesitated. It seemed to me that patriotism in any form had been co-opted by extreme nationalists. I sighed deeply and stood, like I always do.

And then I heard a high school student begin to sing. He had a beautiful voice. Most of the time, our national anthem is performed with unshrinking pride. But not that night. His voice was gentle and emotional. He sang with a humility that touched my heart and reminded me that I can love my country. I do love my country.

I came away that night thinking about what it means to love a country. What is patriotism? Is it possible for patriotism to be humble? Can I still be patriotic in a broken country? Should I?

Last year, I read an article by David French about what it means for Christians to be patriotic. He concluded that “if there is one consistent theme for our role as citizens, it’s summed up in two words: Seek justice.”

He quoted this scripture: “What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8).

What if we all approached patriotic devotion to our country as one way to seek justice, show mercy, and walk humbly with God? I love that idea.

We have this from the Apostle Paul: “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).

Our liberty gives us tremendous blessings. Instead of using our freedoms to support our selfish desires, we could demonstrate patriotism by loving and serving others, showing gratitude to God through our actions. To have patriotism work positively in my life, I need to combine it with humility, gentleness, and love, and a recognition that this land is sacred and a land of promise to all who are led here.

I end with a few excerpts from Amanda Gorman’s powerful poem, “The Hill We Climb.”

[T]he hill we climb
If only we dare
It’s because being American is more than a pride we inherit,
it’s the past we step into
and how we repair it

If we merge mercy with might,
and might with right,
then love becomes our legacy
and change our children’s birthright
So let us leave behind a country
better than the one we were left with

When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid
The new dawn blooms as we free it
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it
If only we’re brave enough to be it