Thanksgiving Proclamation

My visiting teaching companion pointed this proclamation out to me today. I had never read it, and perhaps, you history buffs are laughing, but seriously . . . this is the first time my eyes have perused this article. At any rate, I think this is phenomenal! Where is this in our government today? In our schools and in our homes?

A sister in our ward spoke on Sunday and discussed a survey done concerning the state of happiness of individuals across the US. The survey revealed that some 70% of our nation's citizens declared themselves in a state of despair and unhappiness. That's a fairly high statistic. Jay Leno talked about this on his show not too long ago as well. How can people feel like this? We are by far the most prosperous nation to exist to man.

I am suggesting that we follow this proclamation's guidelines. Specifically, toward the bottom of the proclamation are some key points to focus on. This is a great reminder of what our country was founded on and why it was founded. Have we forgotten all that our forefathers and anscesters sacrificed/gave to better our life and our opportunities? Are we thankful? And what are we thankful for? How do we show our gratitude?

Thanksgiving Proclamation

State of New-Hampshire. In Committee of Safety, Exeter, November 1, 1782 : Ordered, that the following proclamation for a general thanksgiving on the twenty-eighth day of November instant, received from the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith printed ...
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

IN COMMITTEE of SAFETY,EXETER, November 1, 1782.

ORDERED,THAT the following Proclamation for a general THANKSGIVING on the twenty-eighth day of November [instant?], received from the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith printed, and sent to the several worshipping Assemblies in this State, to whom it is recommended religiously to observe said day, and to abstain from all servile labour thereon.
M. WEARE, President.

By the United States in Congress assembled.

PROCLAMATION.

IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States:----- Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.

Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh.

JOHN HANSON, President.
Charles Thomson, Secretary.

(history.com)