The Revolutionary War, between the American colonies and the British Empire and others, was the great prologue to the Restoration. The American colonists “were delivered by the power of God out of the hand of all other nations.” In fact, the God of this land has declared that he “redeemed the land by the shedding of blood” (D&C 101:80)—just as he redeems all worthy souls by the shedding of his own blood. Thus, it seems to be a true principle that redemption relative to God’s plan comes by the shedding of blood. Our lives, our salvation, were redeemed, or purchased, by the shedding of the blood of God. The land of the latter-day restoration was purchased by the shedding of the blood of patriots. The future of our Church, our religious future, was purchased by the shedding of the blood of pioneers. There is no redemption in the eternal scheme of things, it seems, without the shedding of blood.
The establishment of a free land, with guarantees of religious liberty, was a necessary prelude to the glorious latter-day restoration of the Church, the gospel, and the new and everlasting covenant. The hand of God was in it! When the work of the framers of the U.S. Constitution was completed, James Madison wrote, “It is impossible for the man of pious reflection not to perceive in it a finger of that Almighty hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stage of the revolution.” 37
Many have had the sobering experience of visiting Valley Forge and remembering how General Washington encouraged the ten thousand soldiers of the Continental Army in desperate conditions during the winter of 1777–78. Many have paid tribute to his leadership genius and his humility in calling upon God. Many have probably also read from Nephi’s visionary description, which ties together all the momentous events of Plymouth, Salem, Boston, and Philadelphia with the restoration of the gospel (1 Nephi 13). The Revolution and the Restoration were integrally connected in God’s great plan for laying foundations for the permanent establishment of his kingdom on this earth.