 “These are the times that try men’s souls,” so wrote Thomas Paine in “Common Sense” during the Revolutionary War. He also wrote about “The Summer Soldier” and the “Sunshine Patriot.”
When we think about those days (if we do) and the participants - who do we remember? Do we remember those with Washington at Valley Forge, the army at Albany or those at Bunker Hill? Do we remember those who wanted to be obedient and subservient to the king? Do we remember those who were too busy, did not want to be separated from their families, did not have, or were unwilling to make the time, did not want to take any risks, did not want to contribute any money, and most certainly did not want to get into a military fight with the world’s strongest and most experienced army and navy. They did not want to risk anything and wanted to be well thought of by their uninvolved “friends” and most certainly did not want to risk being killed. Living in tents, marching, poor food, bad weather, associating with people who are sometimes rude and obnoxious, and a host of other very inconvenient conditions was not something most were willing to do. We can understand that. So who do we remember from those days? The great majority who did nothing or quit before it was over? Or do we remember those who stuck it out making great sacrifices, even giving their lives, and gave us the freedom we enjoy today. Brigham Young, our territorial governor prior to statehood, talked about people wanting to pick apples off of trees they did not plant. Is this not what so many are doing today. We enjoy the fruits of freedom purchased with the blood and lives of those early Americans. Will we not then nourish the tree, till the soil, prune the branches, water, and fertilize this remarkable blessing and gift of freedom? “These are the times that try men’s souls,” so wrote Thomas Paine in “Common Sense” during the Revolutionary War. He also wrote about “The Summer Soldier” and the “Sunshine Patriot.” When we think about those days (if we do) and the participants - who do we remember? Do we think about those with Washington at Valley Forge, the army at Albany or those at Bunker Hill? Do we ever think about or remember those who wanted to be obedient and subservient to the king? Do we think about those who were too busy, did not want to be separated from their families, did not have, or were unwilling to make the time, did not want to take any risks, did not want to contribute any money, and most certainly did not want to get into a military fight with the world’s strongest and most experienced army and navy. They did not want to risk anything and wanted to be well thought of by their uninvolved “friends” and most certainly did not want to risk being killed. Living in tents, marching, poor food, bad weather, associating with people who are sometimes rude and obnoxious, and a host of other very inconvenient conditions was not something most were willing to do. We can understand that. So who do we remember about those days? The great majority who did nothing or quit before it was over. Or do we remember those who stuck it out making great sacrifices, even giving their lives, and gave us the freedom we enjoy today. Brigham Young talked about people wanting to pick apples off of trees they did not plant. Is this not what so many are doing today. We enjoy the fruits of freedom purchased with the blood and lives of those early Americans. Will we not then nourish the tree, till the soil, prune the branches, water, and fertilize this remarkable blessing and gift of freedom? These days are truly trying. They are difficult . . time consuming . . stressful. They cause challenges with family, friends, neighbors, business associates, and fellow church-goers. Fully 95% of the people I have associated with over the last 51 years are unwilling to be involved. They are content as long as the refrigerator is full of food and life is full of entertaining distractions. So, in these trying times, are they waiting for God to give them a personal invitation to do something meaningful? If they went home tonight and found their home on fire what would they do? They would frantically work to put out the fire! I don't think anyone would wait for a commandment from God, because the necessity would be so apparent, there would be no need. Immediate necessity is the mother of effort. So, how do I want to be remembered? As someone who was like a Roman Candle, burned hot and bright for a few months and then went back to sleep. In the end, I want to be remembered not as a mere observer and a rider in the boat, but as someone who pulled on the oars! I want to be remembered, not as a person who stood on the sidelines while the fire raged, but as a part of the bucket brigade! I want to be remembered as a doer, not a whiner! Come join me at the oars! Dave Jorgensen PS. Utah Eagle Forum is there, fighting the fires and pulling on the oars. Check them out at:  EAGLES DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION! Utah Eagle Forum Training |
AuthorUtah Eagle Forum, President Gayle Ruzicka. Archives
February 2017
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