Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just

Yesterday, I celebrated Independence Day with my family. For those of you who know me, you're already aware that the 4th of July is my favorite holiday. No question. Hands down. Absolutely.

We spent time together as a family and enjoyed a great salmon dinner. Then, as the sun went down, the fireworks started. This year, we had a particularly terrific display because it's the first year that aerial fireworks have been legal in the state of Utah—whether you buy them or not, everyone gets to enjoy the show from just about any vantage point in the entire valley. It was as if there were explosions from driveways all over the county, and it made for a dazzling, beautiful, stirring display we enjoyed late into the night.

But as much as I enjoyed the actual fourth, perhaps my favorite holiday celebration occurred on Sunday, during church. I attended with my family and several Close To My Heart colleagues (Monica and Jody Wihongi blessed their sweet baby Maya in church, and they had invited us to share their special day). We started the services by standing and singing the verses to the Star-Spangled Banner.

The entire congregation swelled with such beautiful harmony and true conviction, I felt tears spring to my eyes. My heart felt like it would burst. Despite the challenges and troubles the United States may face, the song reminded me that the star-spangled banner does INDEED yet wave, and that the vision of our forefathers, the courage of our military, and the conviction of its citizenry have never been more important.

This sweeping and inspired song lifted my spirits and awakened my pride—and the knowledge that vigilance and action to preserve democracy are our birthright; a legacy I'll do anything to help fulfill. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just!

I'm sure you're well aware of the anthem's lyrics (certainly the first verse and perhaps all the verses), but I wanted to provide them here. Read them. Reread them. Sing along if you feel so inclined. I'll be singing right along with you.

The Star-Spangled Banner

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!