Flags lined the Wilkinson Center Ballroom July 2 on the BYU campus as President Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve, accepted a Freedom Award from America's Freedom Festival at Provo.
"I want to thank those who have made this possible," said President Packer. "What you are doing in this freedom foundation is worth doing."
Freedom awards are given annually to individuals who have contributed to the support and defense of family, freedom, God and country.
"Our final recipient tonight is a man that is familiar to many here," said Bruce Lindsay, news reporter and master of ceremonies for the evening.
"What is the story behind the man? What was involved in shaping the life that has influenced millions of people throughout the world? Could you believe that it started with a boy's dream of flying?"
As a young boy, Boyd K. Packer dreamed of serving both God and America by becoming a pilot for the United States. With four brothers and four brothers-in-law serving in the military, his family had a strong military tradition. He especially wanted to be like his older brother Leon, who was a brigadier general and pilot who served in World War II.
At the age of 5, Boyd became extremely ill with what doctors thought was pneumonia. Years later, he would discover that he had polio, a sickness that would have prevented him from becoming a pilot.
In high school, he prayed to pass the rigorous physical exam to join the air cadet program. In his prayers he promised the Lord he would serve Him in any way required for the rest of his life.
Shortly after he graduated from high school, despite his childhood sickness, his prayers were answered after he passed both the written and physical examinations that allowed him to participate in the military service he desired.
In May of 1943, he began his military service. One year later he earned his silver wings, or the right to fly. He then spent 40 months in the service, returning home in 1946; he immediately started school. He would then go on to marry Donna Smith, have a family of 10 children, teach seminary and further his education earning master's and doctoral degrees.
Although he finished his military service in 1946, President Packer was recognized for his continual service even after his days in the military.
"Throughout his life, especially the 40 months he spent in the [U.S. Army] Air Force during which he faithfully studied the scriptures," said Brother Lindsay, "[he] reaffirmed his commitment to the Lord and the promise he had made so many years ago to serve however the Lord wished. . . .
"The young man who prayed for the opportunity to soar the skies as an American Air Force pilot has kept his promise. He now serves the Lord and has traveled more than 2½ million miles around the globe bearing witness of Jesus Christ."
After receiving the award, President Packer spoke of the freedoms the nation enjoys today — freedoms that came at a price.
He reflected upon James Madison's record of the Constitutional Convention, referencing the weeks of time and effort that had been exhausted creating the U.S. Constitution allowing the freedoms enjoyed today.
He then told a story about the day that the men were individually signing the Constitution. During the convention, President George Washington was sitting in a high-back chair that had a picture of a rising sun on the back. Benjamin Franklin said that he had been looking at the sun all during the convention. He said he was never sure if it was a rising sun or a setting sun. But, as the men came forward one by one to sign the document, Franklin said that day he had the confidence to know it was a rising sun.
"Now 12 wars later and all that has gone on, that sun is now obscured," President Packer said. "We know that war can't destroy it, but if it is destroyed it will be from within. And now we face a danger greater than any of the wars we have faced. To honor the Constitution and to honor freedom is a sacred duty for all of us.
"I invoke the blessing on you who are doing this sacred work that you will keep it up, and that in due time the challenges that we face now from within can be conquered so that this nation may remain free."
Honored for a lifetime of service, President Packer continues to serve today by teaching, strengthening and celebrating the traditional values from which America was created.
"President Packer, yours has been a life dedicated to service," said Brother Lindsay. "Whether in the cockpit or in the classroom, or in your home or at the pulpit, you have blessed the lives of countless individuals."
President Packer was one of four recognized and given a Freedom Award. Other recipients were Neil K. Holbrook, Mona Kashani Heern and the late Sargent Merlin German.
