"In the year 1831 Alexis de Tocqueville, the famous French historian, came to our country. . . .Here is his own stirring explanation of the greatness of America:
" 'I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great' (Prophets, Principles and National Survival, compiled by Jerreld L. Newquist, p.60.)
"How strong is our will to remain free - to be good? False thinking and false ideologies, dressed in the most pleasing forms, quietly--almost without our knowing it--seek to reduce our moral defenses and to captivate our minds. They entice with bright promises of security, cradle-to-cradle guarantees of many kinds. They masquerade under various names, but all may be recognized by one thing--one thing they all have in common: to erode away character and man's freedom to think and act for himself." (Ezra Taft Benson, "Watchman, Warn the Wicked," Ensign July 1973, 39)
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