“The Title of Liberty”

—

DEVELOPMENT OF LEADERS 971

calling will carry us, if we are true to it, just as far as we ought

to go.

This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"The Title of Liberty"— The Flag of the People of Nephi

'Twas when the Nephites, careless grown, through pride and worldly

gain ' -

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Forgot their prophets' warning voice of scourges and of pain,

Dissensions came and bitter strife; aspiring men arose

Who sought to wrest their freedom and betray them to their foes.

The bulwarks of their liberty seemed 'bout to be destroyed,

The church deprived of freedom and the law made null aid void;

And men of saintly righteousness poured forth a loud lament,

They feared a reign of anarchy and vengeful red men sent.

Then straightway great Moroni came, the chieftain in command,

Girt in his glittering armor with a flag-pole in his hand.

He rent his coat of colors there, and in Jehovah's name,

Inscribed this motto on it clear, and loudly did proclaim:

"InMemory of our Freedom dear, our God, our Peace, our Lives,

The Church and our Religion true, our Children and our Wives.

"The Title of our Liberty I wave before you all;

Read, read the motto there I wrote, and shun the dangers' thrall;

Come, cov'nant with your God that you forever will abide

For truth and right and liberty, and stand on Freedom's side."

And as the mighty chieftain went, and bore his flag on high.

The people each their garments rent, and ran and circled nigh.

And at his feet their garments cast, as token then to show

That if they hence forsook their God that He should rend them so.

Moroni then addressed them thus: "Your father Joseph's coat

Of many colors was preserved, in part, and let me note

What Jacob said, prophetic'ly: 'As part is undecayed

Of Joseph's coat his brethren rent, so is God's promise made

That part of Joseph's seed shall last, a power on earth to be

So long as men hereon shall dwell— God's witness unto me.'

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And so the Nephite prophets say: 'This promised land^ shall be

Preserved for freedom and for truth, a land of liberty.'

"

Then forth Moroni bore on high that banner through the land,

The Title of their Liberty, for truth and right to stand.

And myriads to his standard came; and God his efforts crowned—

His battles were to vietorv, forevermore renowned.

So let us, when we think of him, his Title borne on high,

Make sure we keep such cov'nant true, For Liberty or Die.

SALT LAKE CITY. F E BARKER.