Tag Archive for: freedom

Liberty in a Jail

A couple of weeks ago, our Church history tour began in Philadelphia. I shared a blog post about the thoughts I had as I stood beside the Liberty Bell.
The key message, taken from scripture, still rings clearly: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” – Leviticus 25:10
Last weekend, our tour ended in another place associated with liberty – but in a very different way.
Monic and I, along with more than 100 young people and other group leaders, stood inside the visitors’ centre at Liberty Jail in Missouri.
We looked at the reconstruction of the small stone dungeon where Joseph Smith, his brother Hyrum and four other companions – Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Caleb Baldwin and Alexander McRae – were imprisoned during the winter of 1838-39.
They had been accused of treason and other crimes following the conflict in Missouri.
For nearly four months, Joseph and several of his companions lost their physical liberty.
Held without bail behind thick walls and iron bars, they endured the bitter cold of a harsh Missouri winter. They slept on dirty straw on a cold stone floor, experiencing hunger, darkness and deep concern for the suffering Saints who were being forcibly driven from their homes and from the state.
It was there that Joseph cried out for divine guidance: “O God, where art thou?” – Doctrine and Covenants 121:1
And it was there that the Lord answered: “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment.” – Doctrine and Covenants 121:7
There is something deeply moving about that.

Finding Peace

Joseph was not immediately released from prison. His difficult circumstances did not suddenly disappear. But within the walls of Liberty Jail, he received something those walls could not contain: peace, perspective and reassurance from God.
Some of the most expansive and liberating words in modern revelation emerged from within that desperately restricted space.
Monic and I, along with our dear friends Marty and Wendy, began our journey beside a bell that proclaimed liberty.
It ended inside a jail where a prophet discovered that even when our outward freedom is restricted, the light of Christ and the knowledge of God can still reach us.
The Liberty Bell may no longer ring, but the message of Liberty Jail still echoes: no wall is thick enough, no darkness deep enough and no difficulty great enough to place us beyond the reach of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Sometimes the deepest liberty is found within.
What helps you to find peace when your circumstances cannot immediately be changed?

Liberty Still Rings

There was something rather symbolic about standing beside the Liberty Bell and reflecting on liberty at a time when America is preparing to celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Looking around yesterday, the building was full of visitors from all over the world, I even got to practice my Dutch with a couple of lads from the Netherlands. People patiently queued to catch a glimpse of a cracked bell that no longer rings.
Yet its message still echoes.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it was difficult for me not to think of Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty.
“And…. he rent his coat, and he took a piece thereof and wrote upon it – in memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children…. (and he called it the title of liberty)” – Alma 46:12-13
Moroni understood that liberty was not merely a political idea. It was something worth preserving, protecting and passing on. Freedom allowed people to worship, to choose, to build families and to live according to their deepest convictions.

Many Visitors

Many displays featured photographs of world leaders past and present and of statesmen visiting the Liberty Bell.
To me, it seemed that whenever someone becomes a significant voice in public life, they eventually find themselves standing beside this cracked bell for a photograph. Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama and many others have done exactly that.
I wondered if that is because liberty remains one of humanity’s most cherished ideals?
The bell may no longer ring, but its message continues to resonate far beyond the city of Philadelphia.
Standing beside the Liberty Bell, I found myself thinking that liberty is rarely maintained by grand gestures alone. More often it is preserved by ordinary people who value it enough to defend it, nurture it and use it wisely.
I also found it interesting that rather than a political statement, those who commissioned the bell, chose a scripture from Leviticus 25:10 to cast into the bell: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”
Perhaps that is one reason people still visit. Deep down, most of us recognise that liberty is precious.
As we prepare to begin our church history tour, I wonder if there is an even deeper form of liberty worth considering. Through Jesus Christ, we can be liberated from fear, guilt, sin, resentment and the things that bind us spiritually. Political liberty matters greatly, but spiritual liberty matters eternally.
Yesterday, a cracked bell reminded me that some ideas are powerful enough to endure long after the sound has faded.
What liberties do you sometimes take for granted – and how are you using them to bless the lives of others?

To the Rescue

Yesterday, Oscar and I headed to the little park in the afternoon.
He was looking forward to the swings and slides.
However, our trip quickly turned into a great adventure!
An older child had become stuck in one of the swings.😟
At first, it didn’t seem too serious as a few parents and grandparents gathered together to try and figure out how to free her.
We tried everything we could including considering different angles and ideas.
Others went home and brought tools, steps, towels and even oil!
There was a bit of pulling, pushing and lifting, with the thought that… “this might work…”
You could feel the goodwill, the care and our collective effort.
But despite all that effort, nothing was working.
Everyone was doing their best to help, but our best wasn’t enough.
After a while, we realised it was time to call Fire and Rescue.
Within ten minutes, they arrived with lights flashing.
They were all assured, unflustered, jovial and actually quite fun!
Quickly they assessed the situation.
Then, with the right tools, the right experience, and a quiet confidence born of having done this before…just like that, she was free.
It was followed by relief, smiles, gratitude from everyone and all the kids (plus a few adults – me included) having an opportunity to get a good photo and sit in the fire engine too!

Sunday morning thought

Reflecting this morning, a simple spiritual insight came to my mind, that sometimes we are not meant to do everything alone.
One of the invitations of the gospel of Jesus Christ, is that when we are stuck, is recognising that He has the power to free us and come to our rescue.
Sometimes, just like those well-meaning parents, we keep trying, yet the answer isn’t more effort… rather, it’s turning outward and upward.
Remember…“With God all things are possible.”- Matthew 19:26.
A willingness to say …“I’ve done what I can… now I need help.”
And when we do…?
Like those firefighters arriving at just the right moment – calm, capable, and prepared, I know our Saviour will come with exactly what we require, with His perfect understanding of us and our needs.
What might He be able to free you from, if you let Him?

Ladybirds in the Stairwell

Last week, Monic and I spent a few days at the Preston Temple.
It was nice just to slow down a little, pause and reflect.
In doing so, I began to notice some small things I would normally miss.
Twice during the week, I found a tiny ladybird trapped inside the temple stairwell.
I have no idea how they got there, but somehow, they were drawn in and unable to find their way back out.
Both times, I did the same simple thing.
I held out my hand, letting it climb on, and then carried it gently back outside to enjoy its freedom once more.
It was such a small, almost insignificant thing to do… and yet, it didn’t feel insignificant.
Because standing there, just for a moment, I found myself thinking:
How often do we find ourselves a little like that ladybird?
Drawn into something…
Then finding ourselves a little bit stuck.
Not quite sure how to find our way out again.

Freedom

And yet, as we exercise our faith in Jesus Christ, He provides a way.
Often, that way is found in the covenants we make with Him, those quiet promises that guide us back when we feel a little lost.
Not always in dramatic ways, but gently, quietly even.
Through small moments, small promptings… even small acts.
That simple moment reminded me of something I hadn’t fully seen before.
The temple isn’t just a place we go to serve.
It’s a place where help is available on both sides of the veil.
Where we are steadied.
And where, often without us even noticing, we are quietly set free.
Temples are places where we can find refuge from the storms of life.
Free from distraction.
Free from noise.
Free to remember who we are and what matters most.
It is, after all, a sacred, quiet place where, through Jesus Christ – heaven and earth meet.
Sometimes, all it takes is slowing down enough to notice.
I am so grateful for the temple, for its beauty, its peace, and for the way divine guidance comes through promptings and impressions from the Holy Ghost.
Where in your life might the Lord be quietly trying to lead you back to freedom?

Speaking Up for Faith

Last week, I spent a couple of days in London on business, attending a book launch, and I also spent some time with a new friend, Celine Brown.

Celine is interning with the Freedom of Religion or Belief Foundation (FoRB), which acts as the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the same topic in Westminster.

Just before Christmas, I joined FoRB as a trustee and have been finding out about projects all around the world where the basic human right of Freedom of Religion or Belief is being challenged, restricted, or actively defended.

Freedom of Religion or Belief is a fundamental human right that protects the conscience of all individuals.

It allows us to think, express, and act upon our deeply held beliefs, whether in private or public settings.

This freedom encompasses the right to change one’s religion or belief and to manifest it through teaching, practice, worship, and observance.

However, globally, this right faces numerous challenges, including governmental restrictions, societal pressures, and acts of intolerance.

International Religious Freedom Summit

A few of my FoRB colleagues attended the International Religious Freedom Summit held in Washington, D.C. this week, where Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasised the importance of compassion in religious freedom advocacy.

He stated, “Protecting religious freedom is a key to peace and stability around the world.”

Elder Soares highlighted that fostering understanding and respect among diverse religious communities is essential for building peaceful societies.

My personal commitment to FoRB stems from a heartfelt belief in the inherent dignity of every individual and the conviction that freedom of belief is essential for human flourishing.

In Galatians 5:13, the Apostle Paul said: “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

This scripture highlights the principle that our freedoms are not just for personal benefit but are opportunities to serve and uplift others.

In my role as a trustee, I am dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote religious freedom, understanding, and mutual respect among all people.

By doing so, we can contribute to a more just and harmonious world where everyone’s right to believe, or not to believe, is upheld.

How can you and me, in our daily lives, promote a culture of respect and understanding for religious freedom in our communities and our workplaces?

 

Remembrance

The world I live in, is not what I want it to be.
I’d love to live in a world filled with 𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒆.
The kind of peace that allows for stability, growth, and unity among people of all nations.
We are after all, brothers and sisters, children of God.
In a peaceful world, we’d be able to resolve our differences through diplomacy and dialogue, by valuing our diverse cultures and develop deeper mutual understanding.
Peace creates a place where individuals and communities can thrive, free from the fear and trauma of any conflict.
Such a world of peace will encourage compassion, where nations prioritise humanity over dominance, power and greed.

War

War, on the other hand, creates massive divisions, devastates economies, and leaves long lasting scars on generations, trapping people in cycles of poverty and displacement as we witness now.
War’s effects are not only confined to battlefields; they impact families, disrupt education, and lead to significant challenges for all of us.
All this violence creates instability – societies struggle to work together and address the many global issues we see now, including climate change, poverty, and injustice.
Sadly, we continue to live on a planet filled with the ravages of war.
“Imperfect people share planet earth with other imperfect people.” – Russell M. Nelson.

Peace

Yet, I know that peace can come to all who earnestly seek the Prince of Peace, and turn to Him, even Jesus Christ.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
Here in the UK, Remembrance Sunday is a special time of reflection, respect, and gratitude, that brings a renewed commitment to peace and understanding.
Like many millions today, I will take some time to pause and reflect to honour the bravery and sacrifices of those who served and lost their lives in wars and conflicts.
I hope, by reflecting on the past, it will inspire us to work toward a future free of conflict, by trying to understand one another better.
The poppy I choose to wear is a powerful symbol, representing the millions of lives lost and reminds us of the hardships faced by soldiers and their families.
Lest we forget, I simply want to pay my respects to the fallen.
To those who gave of their lives – that we may have our freedom today.
In 1916, John Maxwell Edmunds said, “When you go Home, tell them of us and say, For your Tomorrow, we gave our Today”.
For those who gave everything, we will always remember them.

Authenticity – the courage to be yourself

“That’s just not right…let me explain further…” I said to my fellow judges.

Sales Awards

Many years ago, on a number of occasions, after being a shortlisted awards finalist and runner-up myself, I was invited to be a judge on the National Sales Awards in the UK. The key part of the role was to attend an annual judging day, at a swanky hotel in London. There, all the shortlisted candidates would attend to be judged. Individuals and teams would be interviewed and considered one by one, by a small judging panel of sales industry experts in order to be considered for an award. Yes – I was classified as an expert – please don’t laugh!!

Interviews

I recall, one year when a sales team gave a very impressive presentation, it was outstanding. My fellow judges remarked on how fresh and striking it was. I quizzed the team intensely on their efforts, their preparations and quite unique ideas, seeking clarification on how they came up with the concept and how they’d developed it into a presentation for the day.

They shared their story.

Outcome

Yet, unbeknownst to the sales team, I had been a judge 2 years previously in the corresponding category, where a sales team from the same company, had given the exact, identical presentation. Something my fellow judges had thought was fresh and unique, was in fact a rehash of some ideas shared previously.  Yes the presentation was outstanding, but the responses given by the sales team to my questions left me with a rather sour taste. Something wasn’t quite right, I felt we were in a sense being deceived, being played even.  That’s when I then explained to my fellow judges, why I’d questioned the team so directly,  seeking clarification, the way I had.

After all that was said and done, the judging panel determined that the team wouldn’t make the special awards evening a few months later.  Why?… Simply because they lacked genuine authenticity.

It was a powerful lesson learned for all, about the nature of truth and how it sets you free.

Never dissemble.

Authenticity is everything!  It is the power to be yourself.

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