Stretching the scriptures to suit our national perceptions

We stretch the scriptures to suit our own national perceptions and don’t even give it a second thought. In other words, we put stuff in there that isn't there. Case in point. I heard the following scripture used from a teacher who wanted to show that the United States of America is the greatest land in the world and the ONLY covenanted and promised country as decreed by God. As American saints, it is easy for us to only see America in the scriptures and it is obvious to us that the brethren do not speak of ANY OTHER nation as being a Covenanted and Promised Land. But it is there.

2 Nephi 1: 5 But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed.

We have a hard time placing ourselves in the shoes (er, sandles) of those we read about. They are not, white middle-class Utahans. The description of a “land of promise”, a land “choice above all others”, is germane to places that the children of Lehi lived. The scriptures are speaking of a geography larger than the United States of America. After all, we don't have a lot of children of Lehi living here. Elder Orson Pratt makes this point nicely:

“According to the Book of Mormon, all of the great western continent, with all the valleys, hills and mountains, riches and resources pertaining thereunto, was given to the remnant of Joseph, as their land of promise. The Almighty sealed this covenant and promise by an oath, saying, that the land should be given unto them forever. The western world, including both North and South America, is the land of promise, to the remnant of Joseph, in the same sense that the land of Palestine is a promised land unto the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Pratt, Orson, Divine Authority or the Question, Was Joseph Smith Sent of God?) 11.)

Let's also not forget our Old Testament in which Israel is a promised and covenanted land. So, we know that there is more than just one country. I have also read blessings given to certain foreign lands by our apostles that have covenants and promises, which I think technically makes them a Covenanted and Promised Land.

Ah, but we are choice above all other lands. The question is choice to whom? If Japanese saints should gather in Japan, doesn't that make Japan a choice country for their saints above all other countries? At the very least, it certainly is "choice above all other lands".. "for the inheritence of their seed."

I like this land. I was born in it and my ancestors fought for its freedoms. But let's give others their due because our scriptures and general authorities do. There are a lot more countries out there that are covenanted and promised lands than we American LDS rank and file acknowledge.