During the two-hour drive from her home in New Hampshire to the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in Sharon, Vt., 13-year-old Nicole Swain listened to her Hope of America CD, carefully studying the music and lyrics one more time.

Montpelier Vermont Stake President Bret Weekes presents a framed copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World and a family statuette as the "Family Values Award" to Vermont Gov. James Douglas and his wife, Dorothy Douglas.

With each mile, she sang along with the CD, which was mailed to her a few months earlier — she wanted to sing each word perfectly. In her mind's eye, Nicole even rehearsed the choreographed movements that would accompany some of the numbers because later that afternoon she would perform before an audience in a very sacred place.

Children and youth from the Concord New Hampshire and Montpelier Vermont Stakes perform in Vermont's second annual Hope for America program June 5 at the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in Sharon, Vt.

Nicole was one of 230 children and youth, ages 5 to 18, who came from the Concord New Hampshire and Montpelier Vermont stakes to perform in Vermont's second annual Hope of America program. The event, which was created to teach and celebrate the principles of patriotism, was performed at the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial on Saturday, June 5.

Nestled below the monument and between the missionary residence and the visitor's center, the choir, dressed in red and blue shirts, performed on risers constructed for the event before an audience of more than 500.

Nicole, a member of the Laconia Ward, Concord New Chamshire Stake, said she felt the birthplace was a special place to present the patriotic message.

"The Church supports America," she said. "I felt the Spirit very strong. I want to listen again to the songs all the way home."

For 13-year old James Johnson, a member of the South Royalton Ward in Sharon, the performance was an opportunity to honor our veterans.

Elder Matthew J. Eyring, an Area Seventy for the North America Northeast Area, encourages youth to hold onto principles of both patriotism and the gospel during the Hope for America program.

"(We were) trying to honor our country and be respectful of where we live; to thank those who have made it the place that it is now," James said, adding that performing at the monument was unique because it is "a holy place".

Sister Alma Mitchell, who serves with her husband, Elder Steven Mitchell, as the directors of the memorial's visitors center, said she sees the effort as a way to teach patriotic values to children and community members.

"In today's world our children aren't learning the traditional values of patriotism," said Sister Mitchell, who introduced the program to Vermont last year. "This program is a fun way to help them learn patriotic American messages. The people who wrote the music were inspired and are so willing to share."

Dignitaries who attended this year's performance include Elder Matthew J. Eyring, Area Seventy of the North America Northeast Area, who presided at the event, as well as Vermont Gov. James Douglas.

Elder Eyring said that the music honored past patriots while helping train future ones.

"(The songs) celebrate the heroes of the past so that the new generation can be the heroes of the future," he said. "A program like this reminds us of the blessings we have in this country and the responsibilities we have moving forward."

Citing a much more global society and the complex challenges today's youth will encounter, Elder Eyring said that the message of both the program and its setting are vital.

"If the youth hold onto the same principles of patriotism and of the gospel that have been useful for centuries, including duty, honor, selflessness and sacrifice, they will be prepared to face any challenge," he said.

Elder Eyring added that he believed the Prophet Joseph Smith would be happy to see such a gathering at his birthplace.

"For the Church to host an event like this at a site where so much peace is felt is a wonderful collaboration with the community," he said.

Gov. Douglas was presented the Family Values Award by Montpelier Vermont Stake President Bret Weekes, who gave him a framed copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World and a porcelain family statuette. The Church generally gives the award to non-LDS community leaders who defend family values.

Gov. Douglas addressed the issue of family values, calling home and family the foundation for teaching patriotism and service.

"This was a wonderful gathering of all ages honoring veterans of our nation," Douglas said. "We are all looking to this next generation of leaders."