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Acknowledging God

© Rebecca Talley

The tragic events that took place on September 11 are etched in our minds. We wonder how such events could take place and why anyone would want to murder innocent people.

In the wake of these occurrences, when we felt such sorrow and disbelief we, as a nation, turned to God for comfort and understanding. Prayers were offered throughout the world. Religious, racial, and social lines disappeared as we bonded together to gain strength in adversity. We took a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives and to pray for help in restoring our lives.

Prayer is the way in which we communicate with our Heavenly Father. He wants us to pray to Him. He wants us to turn to Him. The United States is “one nation under God.” Our founding fathers were inspired by Him to write the Constitution.

Yet, in recent years we have removed Him from our lives. Children are told they cannot pray in school. Our school program in December cannot be called a “Christmas” program. We cannot even say “Merry Christmas” on federal property. Why? Is it because we may offend the few who do not believe in God? Why, then, is it acceptable to offend the many who do?

Congress opens every session with a word of prayer. Our laws are based on the Ten Commandments. Yet, the few who do not recognize God’s hand dictate to the rest of us that we cannot acknowledge Him except in places that they designate as appropriate for worship.

What will heal this nation? What will bring us back to where we should have been all along? It is prayer and the public acknowledgment that He lives. Instead of pushing to remove God from our schools and public life, we should encourage belief in Him. We should take every opportunity to praise Him and thank Him for all of the blessings we enjoy.

President Bush did not hide the fact that during these past weeks he would be praying to find the right answer for our nation. Many of us have joined in prayers for those whose lives will never be the same, as well as for our nation as a whole. It is time to recognize our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

We, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believe it is imperative to always acknowledge our Heavenly Father and to show our gratitude. We regularly hold a meeting each month where anyone in the congregation can publicly express his or her feelings about the Lord. We come fasting to this Fast and Testimony Meeting so that we may more fully feel the Spirit of the Lord. We stand and bear testimony of our Heavenly Father and express our faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.