Book of Mormon — 2 Nephi 1: 5-7

"Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ,…."

Book of Mormon — Ether 2: 12

God of our fathers,….
The tumult and the shouting dies;
The captains and the kings depart….
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget…
Lest we forget.

From "God of Our Fathers, Known of Old", Hymns, #80

 John Adams, America's second president, and Abigail Adams were married for fifty-four years. During their courtship, Abigail asked John: "Don’t you think me a courageous being? Courage is laudable, a glorious virtue in your sex, why not in mine?"

Abigail's courage was to be later tested many times and in many different ways… On a hill near her farm with her young son Johnny, Abigail watched the smoke rising from the sky of Charlestown from the battle of Bunker Hill…."liable every hour of the day and night to be butchered in cold blood or taken and carried into Boston as hostages."

Dearest Friend

 

The Day; perhaps the decisive Day is come on which the fate of America depends. My bursting Heart must find vent at my pen. I have just heard that our dear Friend Dr. Warren is no more but fell gloriously fighting for his Country….He has distinguished himself in every engagement, by his courage and fortitude, by animating the Soldiers and leading them on by his own example….

 

The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Trust in him at all times, ye people pour out your hearts before him. God is a refuge for us—Charlstown is laid in ashes. The Battle began upon our intrenchments upon Bunkers Hill, a Saturday morning about 3 o'clock and has not ceased yet and tis now 3 o'clock Sabbeth afternoon.

 

Tis expected they will come out over the Neck to night, and a dreadful Battle must ensue. Almighty God cover the heads of our Country men, and be a shield to our Dear Friends. How [many have] fallen we know not—the constant roar of the cannon is so [distre]ssing that we can not Eat, Drink or Sleep. May we be supported and sustained in the dreadful conflict. I shall tarry here till tis thought unsafe by my Friends,….

—Abigail to John, June 25, 1775

 Ardently as I long for the return of my dearest Friend, I cannot feel the least inclination to a peace but upon the most liberal foundation. Patriotism in the female Sex is the most disinterested of all virtues. Excluded from honours and from offices, we cannot attach ourselves to the State or Government…. Even in the freest countrys our property is subject to the controul and disposal of our partners, to who the Laws have given a sovereign Authority. Deprived of a voice in Legislation, obliged to submit to those Laws which are imposed upon us, it is not sufficient to make us indifferent to the publick Welfare? Yet all History and every age ixhibit Instances of patriotick virtue in the female Sex; which considering our situation equals the most Heroick of yours. "A late writer observes that as Citizens we are called upon to exhibit our fortitude, for when you offer your Blood to the State, it is ours. In giving it our Sons and Husbands we give more than ourselves. You can only die on the field of Battle, but we have the misfortune to survive those whom we Love most."

—Abigail to John who was serving a diplomatic mission in France:,
June 17, 1782.