I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman, 1819 - 1892

I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,

Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe

    and strong,

The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,

The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off

    work,

The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the

    deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,

The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing

    as he stands,

The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the

    morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,

The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at

    work, or of the girl sewing or washing,

Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,

The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young

    fellows, robust, friendly,

Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs

Zion is composed of many differences that work together to make one whole.
America's people all have different talents, occupations, and areas of strength. In order for our nation to function, we need to morally implicate our individual talents for the benefit of others. When we use our talents to bless others, unity prevails and our nation will abound in freedom.

To make sure that the use of our talents aren't selfish and wasted, we must have our sight set on God.
Our focus must always remain on Him. When we use our talents according to His will, we are fulfilling another part of His plan for us.

How then, do we share our talents being focused on God?
We must practice service. Service transforms our hearts, and fills them full of love. When we are serving others, we are serving God, and therefore doing His will.
So if you are using your talents to serve others, you are on the right track!

Keeping your eyes open for opportunities of service and then taking those opportunities, can really strengthen character. When you are striving constantly and consistently to do God's will, you are becoming more like Him.

At baptism, we have made a covenant and are expected to "take His name upon us'. That means we are literal representations of Jesus Christ. Now THAT'S a big responsibility! It seems a little scary, daunting, and hard sometimes to always try to represent Christ,  but we must remember that it is through Him that we can accomplish that.

His Atonement unlocks the gate into becoming pure in heart, and taking His name upon us.

I know that when we keep our eyes open for opportunities of service, and have a spirit of love and a pure heart through the atonement of Jesus Christ, then we can use our talents to build the kingdom of God and have a literal impact of our nation for good, and forever.