Is our beloved nation in bondage?

The Departure of the Children of Israel from Egypt - The Provincial Museum of Alberta

Throughout the scriptures the Lord's people have dwelt in bondage both physically and spiritually.  One of the great archetypal stories of the Old Testament is the Lord's deliverance of Israel from under the hand of Pharaoh. Throughout the ages this story has represented the deliverance the Lord has for each and all of us from the bondage of sin and iniquity.  Often the Book of Mormon prophets called upon their people to remember this deliverance.  They also taught of the bondage that comes as a result of sin.  In addition, the Book of Mormon repeatedly contains warnings to the Nephite nation (and to our nation) that they will loose their God protected freedom if they choose to turn from the God of this land who is Jesus Christ. 

These warnings continue to apply to those who live upon this land of promise.   As I have contemplated the state of our nation of late it occurs to me that we are already in many states of bondage because of our  choices.  We don't necessarily have to be overrun by another entity (though that may happen at some point) to begin to loose our individual freedoms.  And I am not talking about the freedoms of speech, right to privacy, etc.  As I look across our land I see many types of bondage.  We have the bondage of many, many addictions, the bondage of debt, the bondage of corruption in high places, the bondage of poverty in low places, the bondage that comes from broken homes and from unhealthy physical practices.  We are in bondage to crime and violence.  We suffer from the bondage of greed.  All of this is a burden to bear and we feel it upon our backs in high taxes, the need for more and more social programs, hidden detriments to society through high medical  and legal costs.  Rationality tells us that it is only a matter of time before the scales tip and we no longer are able to function under these heavy burdens.

Jesus tells us that the truth will make us free.  Truth will deliver us from bondage. The prophet Lehi calls upon us to shake off the awful chains by which we are bound.   Do we value position, power, political correctness, $$, our own man made philosophies over truth?  I'm afraid that we do and we don't seem to be willing to change much at all if any.  I don't have a lot of hope that any elected official will be able to solve our many burdensome problems until we as a people are ready and willing to change our own carnal ways.

Our deliverance from these woes is simple. A return to the basic tenants of faith, religious practice and the golden rule (treat others as you would have them treat you), repentance and a study and application of the commandments of God would go a long ways towards releasing us from these afflictions. Sadly it's just so politically incorrect.

There are many sincere and good people in our country.  May we see the light as a whole and act upon it before we are in too deep to get out.