Our Fathers

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERY BODY! I consider myself a patriot and even though I am literally across the world, I have to pay some sort of tribute to my nation. At a young age my father especially enstilled in me a respect and love for the United States with a trip to Washington D.C. How grateful I am for those who came before me. One of the things I feel I've gained the most from my experience here in Jerusalem is a deeper sense of identity. As one of my professors here has said when we were first traveling to Egypt was how our fathers such as Abraham, Jacob, and Moses have also lived in and walked these lands. That we were "going home" in a very real sense. I've felt that way in many places here, the Western Wall and Tel Beersheva to name a few. It brings to mind one of my favorite scriptures:

". . . Behold I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how it is said, and also written, that they were good. Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them." (Helaman 5:6-7)

What a great heritage we are privileged to claim! Already starting with my parents and moving back to my grandparents, I have some large shoes to fill.

As another man mentioned in our Sacrament meeting today, "My life has been bought with a price." From the patriarchs, to the founders of our nation, to the pioneers, to my ancestors, my parents, and most importantly my Savior, that statement expresses so much as to how I feel. How indebted I am to so many. My parents, along with my younger sister, came to visit me here in the Holy Land a few weeks ago. How wonderful to share a portion of this with them. Here's to our fathers, and more personally, my fathers. Thank you!