The American Decree

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

God has decreed that America be a land that’s free

An America of promise, but only if Him we serve

For once America denies Him and ignores His plea

Ruin comes and we’ll receive the deserts we deserve

We have come to appreciate that there are many wonderful lands and people.  Each nation has a history and heritage of promises of well-doing and covenants of well-being for its people.  However, civil society comes at a price and the human condition often exacts its will on those who struggle and sacrifice to give birth to freedom and its institutions. 

So it was with America, long before it was America according to one scriptural text.  It seems God has had His eye upon this land even as with Israel to whom He said,  “3 And ye have seen all that the Lord your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the Lord your God is he that hath fought for you….6 Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written … that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left….8 But cleave unto the Lord your God, ….11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God.”  (Joshua 23)

The Lord’s message to America was equally terse as He proclaimed, “And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off….” (Book of Mormon, Ether 2).  Whether or not one accepts the ancient Mormon text as scripture, its words and creeds are consistent with God’s message to all of His children everywhere, and in all places and seasons of history.

God’s ancient covenant with America, we call The American Decree.  Like the decree spoken to Israel of old, it is a homily of hope and promised bestowal of blessings, but predicts dire penalties if His divine will is ignored or He is no longer recognized and welcomed as its sovereign.

In advance, we regret the dark and burdening tone evoked by this meditative verse.  However, rather recent but foreshadowed events in the body politic and a seemingly immoral and crumbling civil society have evoked troublesome reflections, a heavy heart, and a troubled spirit. 

Thus we observe:

Seemingly gone, are statesmen of virtue, truth and liberty

Rejected by the crowd - discarding principle for popularity

As by degree, we usher in the dark-side of the American Decree

When that which we hold dear and revered, is no longer a verity

The American Decree

And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity.  For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off.  And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.  Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written.

Book of Mormon   Ether 2:9-12

God has decreed that America be a land that’s free

An America of promise, but only if Him we serve

For once America denies Him and ignores His plea

Ruin comes and we’ll receive the deserts we deserve

For the decree of God is everlasting and firm

Upon those who possess this land of inheritance

Choice above others, as those who come and live affirm

A land of freedom and peace in a world of turbulence

The record of kingdoms and nations makes it clear

That God keeps His promises and His eternal decrees

Destruction will come when the people will not adhere

To His laws and obey Him in ever-decreasing degrees

No longer “one nation, under God” we spiral downward in decline

Led by those who seemly care little for Him or in His sacred decrees

Who promote not His principles or values, nor seek to know His mind

Who now tempt the American Decree, as we ripen in sin and iniquities

Seemingly gone, are statesmen of virtue, truth and liberty

Rejected by the crowd - discarding principle for popularity

As by degree, we usher in the dark-side of the American Decree

When that which we hold dear and revered, is no longer a verity

Would that this epitaph were less onerous or at least little more kind

And perhaps there will be a day when true principles are again revered

When people restore a nation under God and morality is again enshrined

And the American Decree is cheered - its warnings less dreaded and feared

I write this caption to my children and theirs, and theirs

That they may know of my love for them and this nation

That they may stand up for God’s promises and be His heirs

Children of the Covenant, destined for a celestial destination

Larry Doyle Crenshaw