Celebrating Canada’s 150th on Canada Day — From Sea to Sea

As Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary, there is wisdom to be gained from the past and hope to be gleaned from the future. While addressing this occasion, the Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, issued a challenge for Canadians to envision a better world. He saw a future Canada filled with keener minds and kinder hearts. His foresight mirrors fundamental doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members of the Church living in Canada strive to grow in faith, increase in knowledge and serve with kindness.

The motto of Canada is A Mari Usque Ad Mare — from sea to sea. Canada is a large country full of diverse regions and climates, natural wonders and beauty.

It is a country where brave and courageous Canadians in the military have served their country, many of whom having died in battle as they fought for freedom — including freedom of religion — and peace.

It is a country where a young man, Terry Fox, dipped his artificial leg in the sea at St. John’s, Newfoundland, in 1980 to begin his cross-country “Marathon of Hope.”

It is a country where in 1830 true hope, centred on the gospel of Jesus Christ, was preached by missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the first time in Ontario. Those missionaries were Joseph Smith Sr. and his son Don Carlos.

It is a country where in 1875 William and Mari Copley settled on the shores of the western sea as the first members of the Church in British Columbia. There they waited with hope for over 25 years for the arrival of additional members.

It is a country where a settlement of Latter-day Saints in southern Alberta completed construction of a temple in 1923 as a physical manifestation of their hope in eternal glory.

The Latin motto of Canada references Psalm 72:8, wherein David proclaimed Jesus Christ would “have dominion also from sea to sea.” Moving into the future, Latter-day Saints in Canada can assure His continued dominion over this blessed nation. Though small in number, not yet even one per cent of the population of Canada, Latter-day Saints can hold to the promise of Jesus Christ that He will “show forth [His] wisdom through the weak things of the earth” (D&C 124:1).

Every act of welcoming inclusion, every gesture of reconciliation and every voice against hate and discrimination spreads the love of Christ and reaffirms that Canada remains the “True North strong and free” (“O Canada”).

Contributed by Janine Thompson