Security—and Freedom – Sunday, July 01, 1945
Much consideration is given these days to the question of security. Security is a blessing greatly to be desired, and few men there are who do not earnestly wish for it. Indeed, our search for economic security is the reason for which we do much that we do. It is this for which we work, for which we save and sacrifice, for which we insure, for which we attempt to hedge against many future eventualities. And the feeling of insecurity is a haunting specter that often destroys the peace and the efficiency of men. But, desirable as it is, there are many false notions concerning security, and there are many varieties of false security offered at exorbitant prices.
For example, in every generation there are those who would offer others the promise of personal and economic security in exchange for one of the highest prices that any man can pay for anything—in exchange for his freedom—his independence. The price is too high, even if they were able to deliver what they offered. Suppose we were to go back now to the founding fathers of America and offer them economic concessions in exchange for their freedom—they, with their battered muskets, their hungry stomachs, their bleeding feet, and with a price upon their heads. Fortunately for the generations which have followed, the patriots of 1776 did not concern themselves with any guarantees or concessions in exchange for freedom. Fortunately for us, they would rather work and worship as they chose, and shape their own way of life, and live as free men, because they knew, as we know, and as all men must sometime know, that freedom is the way to security and that there is no security without freedom, no matter who guarantees it or how.
To someone in want, any material offer is tempting, but free men are more to be envied than well-fed slaves, because free men can work out their own security, but slaves are dependent upon the whims and the fortunes of their masters. This land is dedicated to the principle of the free agency of man, an irrevocable principle, a God-given right, temporally and eternally. A war was fought in the heavens to maintain it, and likewise many wars since. “Know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32). And the truth is that men were made to be free, which is the truth on which this nation was founded and on which it will be perpetuated. Freedom from want is exceedingly important, but freedom itself is its only guarantee: freedom to work, to worship and to shape our own lives.
This was the message to the world of those who gave us Independence Day, and for which principle millions have lived and died before and since July 4, 1776—and he who trades his freedom for the promise of security has lost both.
“The Spoken Word,” heard over Radio Station KSL and the nationwide Columbia Broadcasting System, from the Tabernacle, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Sunday, July 1, 1945. Copyright 1945.
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July 01, 1945
Broadcast Number 0,828