Founding Fathers
I would like you to think for a moment about the 56 men who signed the
Declaration of Independence over 200 years ago. These men were wealthy
landowners, lawyers, doctors, judges, educators, merchants, and
businessmen. In the war that followed, five were captured or imprisoned.
Nine died of wounds or hardships. Twelve lost their homes. Seventeen lost
everything they owned. Every one of them was hunted. Most of them went into hiding to escape
the British. They were offered immunity, rewards, the return of their property, or the freedom of
loved ones if they would give up their cause. That cause was the fight for freedom and not one
of them gave up the cause. Not one man broke his pledge. Because of men like that - men of
dedication and purpose - we enjoy living in a free country today.
Giving To Others 
Did you ever pause to think about how helpful a tree is? It provides
a nesting place for birds, shade from the sun, and protection from the
rain. It discards its dead branches providing wood for fires and cooking
food. It adds beauty to the countryside. We must admit that a tree
gives a lot more than it receives. We can learn a lesson from a tree –
by doing our best to always be helpful to others by putting others
first and ourselves second. Remember the lesson we learn from the
tree, to give to others more than we receive.
Great Salt Lake Council