LAUS DEO, Do you know what it means?

Vince

LAUS DEO,

Do you know what it means?

LAUS DEO

One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington , D.C. There can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.

With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this amazing historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington , D.C. , are displayed two words:

LAUS DEO.

No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with everyone you know. These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.

LAUS DEO! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say 'Praise be to God!'

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation,
LAUS DEO
'Praise be to God!'

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant ..... a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about
separation of church and state? Yes, a cross;
separation of church and state was not,
is not, in the Constitution.
So, read on. How interesting and,
no doubt, intended to carry a profound
meaning for those who bother to notice.
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was
laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items
including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society.
Praise be to God!
Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the
spiritual mood given by the founder and first
President of our unique democracy
'One Nation, Under God!

I am awed by George Washington's prayer for America .... Have you ever read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!

' Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'

LAUS DEO

It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but have pity on those who will never see this because someone failed to send it on.

Dear Lord: It's me again...
Please keep Your arm around my shoulders and
Your hand over my mouth! Amen.

Cheers, Vince

PaulS

Quote::

A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about
separation of church and state? Yes, a cross;
separation of church and state was not,
is not, in the Constitution.

May I refresh your memory?

1st Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The first amendment is in the constitution

As to Washington's prayer......

This "prayer of Washington" is widely circulated and reflects his true wishes about the United States because the bulk of it comes from his own words.
There is a certain lack of integrity with the prayer, however, in that he never really formally prayed it in the way that is circulated.
Someone along the way decided to create the prayer from one of Washington's letters and package it in the fabricator's own religious cultural language.
The original words from Washington are from the closing paragraph of a letter to the governors of the 13 states on the occasion of his retirement from command of the Continental Army and public life.
We consulted John C. Fitzpatrick's collection of the writings of George Washington that are available through the University of Virginia Library and which includes the text of the letter.
In the letter, Washington said that he wanted the governors to convey his words to their legislatures and that he hoped it would be regarded as coming from someone who always wished to be useful to his country and who in the shade of retirement would not fail to "implore divine benediction upon it."

Then his final paragraph contains the words of his benediction:

I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation.

Washington was a Mason, and a Deist - not a beliver in Jesus Christ.

PaulS

I am sorry if my post seems to come across as confrontational but as a student of the constitution, religous history and the founding fathers I had to challenge the two most often mis-quoted items.
There is another group (not Christians) that point to the lay-out of Washington DC in a pentagram (5 pointed star) when in fact it was laid out by too many different people to have one dominate the entire lay-out. The cornerstone (which has been lost to all the remodeling at the white House) is reported to have also included the Jewish Holy Books, and a copy of the Koran. (as well as many other works) Most of the central city was laid out and built by Masons who commonly include a pentagram over a cross - you get to see what you like when looking at a map.
For a more complete examination of these points and more about G. Washington see:
www.virginiaplaces.org...iongw.html
or view the Snopes article on the topic of "Washington's prayer

MacD

Paul:

The masonic connection has been made if somewhat overplayed by some. Interesting is that he shared this affiliation with many of his British opponents.