What Would They Say?

Reading the thoughts and ideas of those who have gone before us often prompts me to wonder what our forefathers would think of the world in which we live today. What would John Adams and James Madison, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin think of the America they left so many years ago. Would they be proud of us? Saying we have stayed true to what they envisioned or would they be gravely disappointed, thinking we were lacking in either sufficient intellect or judgment. Or perhaps they would have mixed feelings. Maybe there are some parts of the sculpture they began that they would be thrilled to see are still there, while other parts might leave them heartbroken with frustration. Have we let our Founding Fathers down?

Then my mind turns to the fifteen prophets that walked the earth as representatives of our Heavenly Father for so many years in the past. Although the man himself may change, America has had a prophet for a great portion of her political life. These fifteen men have watched, sounding warning trumpet calls as the world began to spin out of control. What would they think of America, or even the world today? Would they be shocked at how sinful we've become? And in the scheme of things, by comparison how sinful really is our world? Are we as ripe with iniquity as some of the wicked societies of the scriptures? I can't say I'm sure. Would the hearts of the prophets wrench apart if they saw the ways in which temple ordinances are being desecrated, scheduled to appear on TV? I know mine does. Would the 42 million world-wide annual abortion rate bring tears to their eyes like it does mine? Would they lower their eyes and shake their head, like a worried parent thinking "Can't you see what you're doing to yourself?"

Have we lost sight of the possibilities that once stood before us?