JFK Speech to Mormons in 1963 (Part III)

Speech in Salt Lake City at the famous Mormon Tabernacle given by then-President of the United States, John F. Kennedy on September 26, 1963.

I apologize that it is only in audio format. Wish there were video! The picture is of JFK standing next to David O. Mckay, Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1951 to 1970.

In Part III, JFK says, "Therefore, I think this country will continue its commitments to support the world of freedom, for as we discharge that commitment we are heeding the command which Brigham Young heard from the Lord more than a century ago, the command he conveyed to his followers, 'Go as pioneers . . . to a land of peace.'"

The full text can be found at: http://www.jfklink.com/speeches/jfk/publicpapers/1963/jfk385_63.html

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[jroll21]

thankyou so much for this post,,,, its amazing how relevant this speech is today.

[humboldt777]

Kennedy was no imperialist, at least in 1963.

[susisee11]

JFK was one Democrat I could vote for.What a speech! He and Reagan.. best Speakers ever!

[govrom12]

And this guy was a Democrat? What Democrat would speak with this strength, clarity and purpose today? JFK would be an outsider in his party today. My how times change.

[omiolo]

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Staten Island will hold service events today and next Saturday in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the church's welfare program.

[omiolo]

Latter-day Saints Church plans community service

Staten Island Advance

[bestdayz11]

what's amazing is the conservatives were spouting the same garbage back then of dropping out of the UN, isolationism/unilateralism.

[ScuseMeJudge]

President McKay continued:

"... is being destroyed in the name of freedom..A ruthless dialectical battle is being waged against the Christian way of life, against political liberty, against individual freedom, and it is being waged in the name of Freedom. Black becomes White; Tyranny becomes Freedom; The Forced Labor Camp stands for Liberty; The Slave State is represented as Democracy. This is the deadly challenge of Communism" [i.e. Fascism, Socialism, etc]

[ScuseMeJudge]

David O. McKay:

"Today, freedom political, economic, and individual freedom lies destroyed or is in the course of being destroyed over great areas of the globe. And it has been destroyed and is being destroyed in the name of freedom.A ruthless dialectical battle is being waged against the Christian way of life, against political liberty, against individual freedom, and it is being waged in the name of Freedom. Black becomes White; Tyranny becomes Freedom; The Forced Labor Camp stands...

[ScuseMeJudge]

Kennedy does have charm and appeal.

The sweet and wonderful David O. McKay must have just smiled kindly, hearing this folly and phony rhetoric.

Joseph Fielding Smith, President of the Quorum of Twelve around this time, spoke accurately that the "Monroe Doctrine" was the "Inspiration of the Almighty," and the "greatest fortification in America." The Monroe Doctrine, if followed, would condemn the Communist founded UN Building in New York and bulldoze it into the Hudson.

[NTmotherof4]

I appreciate being able to listen to this speech which has both historical value and value today.Thank you

Each nation will evolve according to their traditions and political aspirations ....