America

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a worldwide church. Church teachings encourage all members, wherever they live, to be law-abiding citizens and to celebrate their culture and heritage. Part of the heritage of the Church is connected to the United States of America. The Book of Mormon prophesies of the colonization of America and its Revolutionary War to gain independence. Many of the earliest Americans immigrated seeking religious freedom, and it was the religious freedom ensured by the Constitution that allowed the Church to come into existence, even though early Church members still faced severe persecution.

The eternal doctrine that we are children of God resonates with the inspired statement of the Declaration of Independence that all people “are created equal” and are “endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights.” Therefore, the celebration of American ideals is an important part of Brigham Young University.

Faculty, students, Church leaders, and friends of the university are also interested in issues such as religious freedom that allow BYU to do its unique work. Though the Church is not politically affiliated, its members (as well as the individuals on BYU campus) are encouraged to be politically active according to their own opinions and conscience and to live in such a way as to create healthy communities and contribute to a free and faithful nation.

The Book of Mormon also testifies that the American continent, in ancient as well as modern times, has been chosen by God to flourish as long as the people there are striving to live righteously. In other words, BYU reminds its campus that our individual charity, morality, and goodness is the best assurance of God’s involvement in our nation’s well-being. These addresses inspire readers and listeners to live up to the ideals upon which the United States of America was founded and to work to make those ideals a reality.