freedom |ˈfrēdəm|

nounthe power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint

I love Abigail Howe.  Words can't explain how much I missed her.Recently, we've been spending alot of time together.  [This week especially since her show is over.] She is one of my favorite people to talk about religion with.
Anyone who knows me, knows that my religion, my faith, my standards, my beliefs: define who I am.   They make me, ME.
Last night, Abbey and I attended a Poway Interfaith presentation about the Mormon Church and the Roman Catholic Church.  There was a presentation on the basic beliefs of both churches and then a Question and Answer period afterwards.  At the end of the Q&A period, a older Jewish man stands up and says "I'm going to take the liberty to make a comment rather than a question."  He goes on to explain how blessed we are to live in this time.  To live in this day and age when we can calmly and openly discuss such different religions, with minds of tolerance and understanding.  
I had been thinking the same thing throughout the meeting and this older man's comment called my mind to serious reflection.  I have SO much.  The founders of this country, this great nation, came for religious freedom.  Religious persecution has and will continue to be a trend throughout the ages.  The cause of wars, rebellions, revolutions.  But more than that, religion is the cause of peace, joy, faith and hope.  In a troubled world, we need our faith more than anything.  We may not agree on details or specifics, but we can and must agree on one thing.  Jesus Christ is the son of God, and our Saviour and only through Him can we be saved. 
Men are free according to the flesh.  (2 Nephi 2:27)  Men have the gift agency.  Though this agency grants us the freedom to choose we must remember that it was NOT free.  Christ paid the price.  Christ suffered in Gethsemane.  He bled from every pore.  He died on the cross.  And what's more, He resurrected on the third day.  He gave us our freedom.  
I find this freedom when I feel the Spirit.  I exercise this freedom when I act on promptings of the Spirit.  All of God's children are entitled to receive revelation for themselves, thus, personal revelation.  My prayer is that we might not take for granted this unmerited gift.  That rather, we might exercise our own freedom, ask of God, and become His servants.
I am not perfect.  But I am free.  And I choose God.  I choose Faith.  I choose Joy.  I choose Peace.