Our guest speaker was A. Scott Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Zion’s Bank. Mr. Anderson began his remarks by noting that there are millions of Mayflower descendants living today, but few of them know it. After giving a brief account of the Mayflower voyage and the importance of the Plymouth settlement to American history, he suggested that there are four chief characteristics that define the passengers of the Mayflower.
First, they were unwaveringly persistent in the face of overwhelming difficulties and discouragement. Within three months of landing at Plymouth, about 50 of the original 102 passengers had survived. Second, they looked to the future and the generations that would follow them. They had a broader perspective beyond what was immediately in front of them and accepted their responsibility to build for future generations. Third, they were governed largely by an attitude of brotherly love. In each New England congregation there were usually at least two preaching elders. Fourth, they were deeply acquainted with deity and relied heavily on their faith.
Mr. Anderson said, “Our political system rests upon two great facts–a Creator God and a sovereign people. If we deny the existence of God, whom Jefferson and our Founding Fathers believed endowed us with our individual rights, then upon what foundation does our democracy rest?” He concluded his remarks by declaring, “So, as we look forward to Thanksgiving Day 2012, let’s think back on that first Thanksgiving in 1621, and as Edward Winslow said, let us show thanks and gratitude that, “yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.” ”
Thank you, Mr. Anderson, for your words of encouragement and for reminding us how blessed we are to live in this great land. Also, thank you for the two articles on the economy and the hand-dipped Hatch Family chocolates!