Why Did the Lord CHOSE the United States for the Restoration?
A Base of Freedom
Financial Influence
Political Stability
A Foundation for Missionary Work
Couldn’t restoration have happened in other countries? Apparently not as these United States were chosen by God, for his specific reasons. Sure all the world has great people as God created us all, but on what land would fulfill the principles above? The United States.
“The Lord chose the United States of America“ [Elder Nelson full quote below], for the restoration of the gospel. Some may disagree with that, but there are so many quotes from Leaders of the Church to validate this truth. How many witnesses do we need for others to understand the majesty of this quote? I don’t think it is difficult to reach the conclusion that indeed this very Land of North America that I live on, was indeed the Land the Lord chose for his restoration in these last day. I share this quote from General Authority, Gerald Lund below:
Gerald Lund said, “In the fall of 2007, my assignment as a General Authority Seventy was in Salt Lake City, working in the Church Office Building. One day I went down to a small cafeteria in the basement of the Church Administration Building that is reserved for General Authorities. After getting my food, I saw that four of my colleagues in the Seventy were seated at a table for six, just starting to eat. They invited me to join them. We spoke briefly about our various assignments, but soon the talk turned to the current financial crisis. It didn’t take long for our conversation to become quite bleak in tone. One of the brethren had a grandchild who had recently graduated with an MBA but was having no luck in finding employment. Another reported that a grandchild was unsure about wanting to get married and bring children into the world.
About that time, as this cloud of gloom settled over our lunch table, Russell M. Nelson, then Elder Nelson of the Twelve, came into the lunchroom with a tray of food. Seeing that we had a vacant spot at our table, he joined us. He ate quietly for a time as our conversation went right on in that same sense of discouragement. Finally, one of the brethren said, “They’re talking about the possibility of the whole government of the United States failing. Then what shall we do?”
Elder Nelson, who hadn’t said much since sitting down, laid down his fork and looked at us directly. His expression was very sober as he spoke quietly, saying something like this: “Brethren, the Lord chose the United States of America as the place for the Restoration of the gospel in our dispensation. He did that so we would have a base of religious freedom that would sustain the work of the Restoration. Also, the financial affluence and the political stability of the United States makes it possible for our Church to take the gospel to the world. That is a task that is not yet finished. Brethren, the Lord is at the helm. He will not let this work fail.”
That was more than ten years ago, but I still vividly remember two things. First, how sheepish we felt for letting ourselves become so negative. And the second was the lesson taught: God is in control. Why then do we fear? It was a profound teaching moment, and I have reminded myself of that day often when I have found myself growing discouraged and pessimistic”. God is at the helm! by Elder Gerald N. Lund, adapted from “The Second Coming of the Lord” | Oct. 07, 2020
Today we members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints need “much more than just casual membership in the Church.” [Elder Benson Below]
This quote above by Elder Lund and with other quotes below, if you read them with a humble heart and a sincere desire to know truth, you may also be able to agree that this land of North America is the Land of Promise spoken of in the pages of the Book of Mormon.
Other Theories
Some may still believe events of the Book of Mormon happened in Mesoamerica, or Baja, or Chile, and that is fine with me, but isn’t a huge part of personal revelation the ability to know these type of truths, or as Moroni says, “we may know the truth of ALL things?”
Same may say that knowing where the Book of Mormon events happened is not necessary for salvation, which is true. Some may say I have more important things to learn about. That is all true and you are welcome to feel that way.
For me, I absolutely know from the Spirit that the Book of Mormon is a true book from the Lord, and as that testimony grows, I continue to see other secondary evidence of truth all around me, including the special belief that indeed the geography of the Book of Mormon in North America is a grand addition to that testimony.
Remember, it is not necessary for salvation to know if man evolved from and ape or not either, but I know by sound reasoning and as a special part of my testimony, that a cat cannot become a dog, only a different species of a cat. Common sense and personal revelation are so very important to my testimony.
Personal Revelation
Our dear Prophet, Russell M. Nelson said, “Learn for yourself—right now at your age—how to receive personal revelation. And nothing will make a bigger difference in your life than that!” Hope of Israel Russell M. Nelson
Pres Nelson also said, “I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that “if thou shalt [seek], thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.” Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives by President Russell M. Nelson
Other Reasons the Lord Chose America!
“This great nation, the Republic of the United States, might be established upon this land as an asylum for the oppressed; a resting place, it might be said, for the Ark of the covenant, where the temple of our God might be built; where the plan of salvation might be introduced and practiced in freedom, and not a dog would wag his tongue in opposition to the purposes of the Almighty. We believe that this was His object in creating the Republic of the United States; the only land where his work could be commenced or the feet of his people find rest. No other land had such liberal institutions, had adopted so broad a platform upon which all men might stand. We give glory to those patriots for the noble work they did; but we give the first glory to God, our Father and their Father, who inspired them. We take them by the hand as brothers. We believe they did nobly their work, even as we would fain do ours, faithfully and well, that we might not be recreant in the eyes of God, for failing to perform the mission to which He has appointed us.” Bishop Orson F. Whitney, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, April 19, 1885. Reported by John Irvine. Journal Discourses Volume 26 Page 201
Times of the Gentiles
The Lord has designated these days in which we live as the “times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24). The Gentile nations are the so-called Christian nations—North and South America and the European nations from which many of us came. The phrase times of the Gentiles refers to that period of time extending from when the gospel was restored to the world (1830) to when the gospel will again be preached to the Jews—after the Gentiles have rejected it. This is how the Lord explained it…” https://speeches.byu.edu/speakers/ezra-taft-benson/
More Than Casual Membership
Are we not witnessing the fulfillment of these signs today? The gospel is being extended to all nations which permit our missionaries to penetrate their countries. The Church is prospering and growing. Yet in undiminished fury, and with an anxiety that his time is short—and it is—Satan, that great adversary of all of us, is attempting to destroy all we hold dear. We constantly hear or read of wars and rumors of wars. Atheism, agnosticism, immorality, and dishonesty are flaunted in our society. Desertions, cruelty, divorce, and infidelity have become commonplace, leading to a disintegration of the family. Truly we live in the times of which the Savior spoke, when “the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound….
This preparation must consist of more than just casual membership in the Church. You must learn to be guided by personal revelation and the counsel of the living prophet so you will not be deceived. Our Lord has indicated who, among Church members, will stand when he appears: D&C 45: https://speeches.byu.edu/speakers/ezra-taft-benson/
Additional Witnesses
“The United States is the promised land foretold in the Book of Mormon—a place where divine guidance directed inspired men to create the conditions necessary for the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Elder L. Tom Perry Ensign Dec. 2012
“The Lord gave a divine promise to the ancient inhabitants of this favored country (the United States): ‘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” (Ether 2:12)… Our Heavenly Father inspired the leaders of . . . the United States of America, that they might together, under His direction, having been raised up by God for the purpose, establish the Constitution of this country and . . . Bill of Rights, that . . . by the year of our Lord 1805 [there would be] a climate where our Heavenly Father could send into this period of mortality a choice spirit who would be known as Joseph Smith, Jr. His life’s mission would alter the course of all future events. Thus came Joseph into the world.” (Twenty-First Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermon, December 11, 1963) Chapter called Joseph Smith’ from Monson, Thomas S., Teachings of Thomas S. Monson, 2011, pp. 157-158
We sure can trust the previous quotes from Apostles and Prophets about the geography of the Book of Mormon. Even with these Brethren sharing opinion and not doctrine, I will believe the Brethren rather than just any scholar who may say differently. Yes, an important part of my testimony is knowing that the events of the Lehites and Nephites traveling from Jerusalem to North America, was indeed the location of the Book of Mormon.
This does not mean that people of the United States are better than anywhere else. It means the Lord covenanted with those in the Unites States and if they obey God they will be blessed and if they don’t then an even greater punishment will come to the US than in any other country.
Pres Hinckley said, “I should like to say a few words about America…No land is without its beauty, no people without their virtues, and I hope that you who come from elsewhere will pardon my saying a few words concerning my own native land, America…surely this is a good land, a choice land, a chosen land. To me it is a miracle, a creation of the Almighty.” Gordon B. Hinckley Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”, BYU Speeches of the Year, October 29, 1974, pp. 267-68 )
If you disagree, please comment or contact me and we can discuss it.