PROVO, UTAH — "Freedom is fragile," Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin declared July 4 as he addressed the Freedom Festival at Provo, an annual patriotic service in the BYU Marriott Center. "It takes a moral people to keep this nation strong."

For Americans, every Fourth of July is significant. This year, the Fourth of July was distinctive: it was the last American Independence Day of the 1900s.

The service was one of numerous events sponsored July 2-5 by the Freedom Festival at Provo. Richard A. Erickson, the festival's president who conducted, said that the service was held in "a spirit of thanksgiving not only to honor the founding of America but also to celebrate the sesquicentennial anniversary of the founding of Provo by courageous men, women and children who put their faith in God in their pioneering work."

Elder Wirthlin said that it is fitting that citizens celebrate Independence Day with parades, marching bands, fireworks and speeches "extolling the greatness of our republic and the courage of those who founded it." Such a celebration, he said, "lifts our spirits. It fills our hearts with gratitude for those who sacrificed their security, their fortunes, and even their lives to build and preserve the country we have today. But perhaps more important, it is fitting that we celebrate the founding of this republic because it reminds us that there are virtues — sacred, essential virtues — we must always remember."

He noted the presence of many children, including several of his grandchildren, at the patriotic service, and directed many of his remarks to those youth. "In a very short time, it will be their turn to rise and take upon their shoulders the sweet burdens of liberty, passed to them from the shoulders of great and honorable men and women who founded and forged this great nation. I would like to speak of a few things I hope they will never forget," he said.

Among the topics Elder Wirthlin spoke of were:

The Constitution and the Founding Fathers. "The Constitution of the United States is a divinely inspired document created by Founding Fathers who were raised up by God to establish the United States of America," he said. "The Lord affirmed this truth in a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith when He said, 'I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men, whom I raised up unto this very purpose. . . . ' (D&C 101:80.) Elder Wirthlin encouraged young people to read about the Founding Fathers and have them as heroes rather than idolize entertainers and sports figures.

The responsibilities of citizenship. "The United States government is a government by the people, for the people and of the people. As such, it is important to make your voice known as one of the people," he said. He expressed amazement at low voter turnout at most elections in the United States, and spoke of voting as a sacred duty and privilege. "Never miss an opportunity to lift up your voice in deciding on candidates and issues that will affect your life and the lives of your children," he said. Further, he counseled, "No matter who you vote for, pray for your government leaders. Even if you do not agree with their policies or activities, call down the blessings of heaven on their behalf, to bless them and guide them as they carry out the duties of their offices."

The family. "America is a nation of families. In fact, America is no stronger than its families. . . . When the family is attacked and weakened, the very foundations of this great land are weak-ened. . . . I want our grandchildren to know that one of the greatest things they can do to do strengthen America may be to strengthen their own family."

Honesty and integrity. "Headlines over the last few years have exemplified the lack of integrity from the highest offices of government down to the classrooms of our schools," he said. "Many trade away their integrity for a very small price. . . . Nearly every day, we hear of fraud, misapplication of funds, false advertising or other dealings designed to obtain gain by cheating or deception."

Morality. "I want our grandchildren to know that 'righteousness exalteth a nation.' (Prov. 14:34.) One of our Founding Fathers, John Adams, warned subsequent generations that our Constitution 'was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.' " (Quoted by Ezra Taft Benson, The Constitution, a Heavenly Banner, p. 23.) Elder Wirthlin warned about the destructive influences of pornography, which has greater access to homes through the Internet. He advised caution in the selection of movies and other entertainment in order to avoid that which debases ideals and promotes immorality. "I find it ironic that the freedoms which allow these immoral influences to flourish in our society are destructive of those very freedoms, in that they weaken the moral strength of the people," he remarked. "Many have become desensitized to the gross immorality that now envelops our nation."

Secularism and materialism. "Secularism has swept God, and almost everything to do with religion, right out of the public forum," Elder Wirthlin continued. Cautioning against selfishness, he added, "We are living in the most prosperous time in the history of our country, yet millions in the world still are in poverty and are hungry. We must be careful that we do not neglect the poor and the needy. For America to remain great and strong, our young people must see more in life than the acquiring of the world's goods. They must seek a higher purpose in life and contribute to make this world and this country a better place to live for the next generation."

Concluding, Elder Wirthlin expressed great faith in the future. "The rising generation will face their own great trials, that is certain, but I have an unerring confidence in their ability to triumph over evil.

The patriotic service began with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4918 from American Fork, Utah, posting the American and Utah State flags. Elder Ben B. Banks of the Seventy and president of the Utah South Area, introduced Elder Wirthlin to the audience, which festival organizers said included "friends and neighbors of [many] religious denominations." Elder Merrill J. Bateman of the Seventy and president of BYU, attended the program, as did Sisters Elisa R. Wirthlin, Susan Banks and Marilyn Bateman. U.S. Sen. Orrin G. Hatch and his wife, Elaine, also attended.

The 571st Air Force Band, based in St. Louis, Mo., played stirring anthems and marches before the program began and, during the program, literally brought the audience of 11,000 to its feet as it performed "Stars and Stripes Forever." The Utah-based Millennium Choir and Symphony Orchestra performed several numbers, including a musical setting of "The Pledge of Allegiance," composed by Lex de Azevedo especially for the 1999 freedom festival celebration. A musical highlight of the program was a performance by the choir and orchestra of "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," with a spoken interlude by network talk show host Larry King.

Laura Swim, winner of the festival's speech contest, delivered an oration on this year's theme, "America, Remember and Renew."