January 20, 2009 - The inauguration of President Barak Obama as the 44th president of the United States of America passed almost unnoticed in the temple in Mérida, while the rest of the world watched the historic moment when a youthful, African-American, liberal assumed leadership in a critical time. We are grateful to have access, although tardy, to pictures and text of the event and speeches.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/obama_inauguration/7840646.stm
Some of our grandchildren viewed the ceremony and heard the inaugural address as the class for the day. Many of the phrases resound with high ideals and promise much good.
..."Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met....
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.
What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task...
.with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.

http://www.mormontimes.com/around_church/general_authority
We are glad to know that "President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church and ElderM. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, attended Tuesday's inauguration of President Barack Obama on the steps of the U.S. Capitol and joined national leaders at Wednesday morning's National Prayer Service in the National Cathedral.

Elder Uchtdorf was quoted as saying that he felt that the emotions people displayed stemmed not from the "massive numbers witnessing nor the racially historic moment, but rather a sense of graciousness displayed by a free democracy. It was for the people of the world to have a chance to follow the wonderful example given by the United States in a transfer of powers in a democracy -- the liberties, the freedoms and the justice for all -- as it is presented in such a wonderful way from one administration to another."



President Obama moved quickly to fulfill some of his campaign promises on economic and national security issues. "I left with a feeling that the people of America are going to unite behind this new president and his administration and that we need to pray for him," Elder Ballard said. "We need to exercise our prayers and help him accomplish the great objectives that he has set."

The years of the George W. Bush administration have been full of challenges from inside and outside the United States, and we have seen great political and natural forces acting to change people's lives. We will always be grateful to Pres. Bush for his determination to stand up to the terrorists of the 9/11 attacks.
We trust that the voice of the people will permit that righteousness will prevail and know that the Lord's promises will be fulfilled for this "promised land" and for all the world.