Raise the flags. Strike up the brass bands. Let the parades begin.

As Church members in the United States appropriately celebrate the founding of their country on July 4, 1776, let us be grateful for freedom and patriotism in many nations around the world.Let us be thankful for spacious skies, for mountain majesties and for amber waves of grain in all the earth's beautiful countries. Let us petition God to bless America - and all nations, that freedom may ring throughout the world, that all citizens of the world may call their homelands the land of the free and home of the brave.

Devotion to country and deep feelings of patriotism are not restricted to any particular country or region. Such feelings well up naturally and appropriately in the hearts of citizens around the world.

"I love my country and my people," said a young boy several years ago during a testimony meeting in a small branch of the Church in Brazil. The boy grew up to serve a mission in another country and returned to his native land to work, to raise his family and to build the Church. He is a loyal, dedicated citizen of his country.

Church doctrine encourages devotion to and love of country in whatever nation a Church member resides.

Members can worship faithfully in many nations under a variety of forms of government. Good Church members make good citizens all around the world. They are active in civic affairs. They participate in governmental processes. They are loyal and patriotic and love their fellowmen.

"We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man. . . ," says the first verse of Section 134 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Verse 5 adds, "We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected. . . ."

Section 134 constitutes the Church's declaration of belief regarding governments and laws in general. Church members would do well to study it as they develop their individual attitudes and beliefs toward government and law.

The birthday of one's country is a worthy cause for celebration. In the case of the United States, the words of John Adams, one of the founders, proved prophetic:

"I am apt to believe that it Independence DayT will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore."

Today, more than 200 years after Adams' statement, freedom still rings in the United States, and the nation's birthday is appropriately celebrated and remembered. This country has been a beacon of freedom for millions of immigrants in many different ages, from all parts of the world. And so it remains.

The prophets have stated, over and over again, that the United States will remain free if its people are righteous. This country has nothing to fear from without - as long as it remains clean and obedient within. The greatest threat to freedom is the everyday evil among us, especially the secret combinations associated with illicit drugs and pornography.

Therefore, as we celebrate independence and our country's beginnings wherever we live, let us resolve to uphold the laws of the land and the laws of God. This is the only path to permanent freedom and peace in the world.