Suggested Hymns:
America the Beautiful (Hymns 338)
My Country, 'Tis of Thee (Hymns 339)

Read:
Acts 10:34
2 Nephi 26:33
D&C 101:76-80

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness." (Declaration of Independence)

Discuss:
The scriptures teach us that all people are equal in God's eyes; the Declaration of Independence affirms this same principle. Yet Americans have not always lived up to this ideal. In what ways have Americans failed to practice the principle of equality for all?

How does our family strive to promote equality for all people?

Activity:
Celebrate the nation's birthday with a cake and candles. Ask each family member to voice a wish for equality: something they would like to see happen that would bring us closer to a world where equality for all is a reality. After everyone has voiced their wish, blow out the candles all together.

Adapted from John-Charles Duffy, For Times and for Seasons: Great Ideas for Family Devotionals and Activities! (Bountiful, UT: Horizon Publishers, 2002), 68-71.