I wanted to go to church today, but the baby sister works too much and needed sleep. But just because I couldn't go doesn't mean I can't spend a little extra time pondering the greatest gift to all mankind, right? Right!
This talk was mentioned in Sunday School last week as we talked about the signs of the second coming. And given the world was supposed to end this weekend, I was interested in reading it again. In the manner of my new favorite blog -
Scriptorium Blogorium - I'm going to add my own thoughts here and there.
Our safety lies in repentance.
Bam! There is no mincing of words here by Pres. Hinckley. This talk was given just a few weeks after the attacks on September 11th. With his opening remarks on Saturday he tells everyone he's going to talk about the attacks specifically the next day. And boy does he ever. I mean, this is an unusual (at least in my mind) opening statement. It's usually thanks for coming, we love you, we're so glad you're doing your best, etc... But not here. Instead, it's a call for repentance.
Our strength comes of obedience to the commandments of God.
Luckily, the Lord does apparently love us as He gave us yet another step in providing safety for the soul. And again, it's no flowery description of all the programs and ordinances of the church. We already know all that. It's just a simple call to do what you know.
My beloved brethren and sisters, I accept this opportunity in humility. I pray that I may be guided by the Spirit of the Lord in that which I say.
It makes you wonder if there was something he wanted to say but wasn't "allowed". But that's speculation on my part.
I have just been handed a note that says that a U.S. missile attack is under way. I need not remind you that we live in perilous times.
Coincidence? Maybe. The War on Afghanistan officially started October 7, 2001. But think about this. If you were listening to General Conference that day you were sitting at the foot of the Prophet. Not a bad place to be as your country declares war, in my opinion.
I desire to speak concerning these times and our circumstances as members of this Church.
Listen up! He's going to talk about us!
You are acutely aware of the events of September 11, less than a month ago. Out of that vicious and ugly attack we are plunged into a state of war. It is the first war of the 21st century. The last century has been described as the most war-torn in human history. Now we are off on another dangerous undertaking, the unfolding of which and the end thereof we do not know. For the first time since we became a nation, the United States has been seriously attacked on its mainland soil.
For most of my life, my country has been at war. However, a war has never been fought in my country. Even with the attacks of Sept 11th, the war was ultimately elsewhere. While I have known this to be a fact, the veracity of it didn't hit me until just recently, as I read a book about the Nigerian Civil War. Anyway... I digress. This attack threw us for a patriotic loop. But I appreciate the fact that Pres. Hinckley acknowledged the fact that this likely would not be a quick endeavor, but perhaps I'm reading into it with hindsight.
But this was not an attack on the United States alone. It was an attack on men and nations of goodwill everywhere. It was well planned, boldly executed, and the results were disastrous. It is estimated that more than 5,000 innocent people died. Among these were many from other nations. It was cruel and cunning, an act of consummate evil.
Recently, in company with a few national religious leaders, I was invited to the White House to meet with the president. In talking to us he was frank and straightforward.
That same evening he spoke to the Congress and the nation in unmistakable language concerning the resolve of America and its friends to hunt down the terrorists who were responsible for the planning of this terrible thing and any who harbored such.
Now we are at war. Great forces have been mobilized and will continue to be. Political alliances are being forged. We do not know how long this conflict will last. We do not know what it will cost in lives and treasure. We do not know the manner in which it will be carried out. It could impact the work of the Church in various ways.
We live in communities. What happens in our communities impacts our work as individuals, as families, and in the church. As true followers of Christ, how could it not? Pres. Hinckley then goes on to identify a few ways in which the work of the church would likely be impacted, and how right he was.
Our national economy has been made to suffer. It was already in trouble, and this has compounded the problem. Many are losing their employment. Among our own people, this could affect welfare needs and also the tithing of the Church. It could affect our missionary program.
We are now a global organization. We have members in more than 150 nations. Administering this vast worldwide program could conceivably become more difficult.
I am in no way privy to the overall workings of the church, but I feel like while things have gotten more difficult, administering to this worldwide program has only become stronger. Through our concerted efforts in relief, the church has become a trusted partner to administer quickly and sufficiently to natural disasters, war torn areas, and the like. Our humanitarian efforts have not lessened, but have increased.
Those of us who are American citizens stand solidly with the president of our nation. The terrible forces of evil must be confronted and held accountable for their actions. This is not a matter of Christian against Muslim. I am pleased that food is being dropped to the hungry people of a targeted nation. We value our Muslim neighbors across the world and hope that those who live by the tenets of their faith will not suffer. I ask particularly that our own people do not become a party in any way to the persecution of the innocent. Rather, let us be friendly and helpful, protective and supportive. It is the terrorist organizations that must be ferreted out and brought down.
Wow! I love this so much! What a great reminder to not generalize and be mean. In fact, Pres. Hinckley tells us what to do instead... friendly, helpful, protective, and supportive. But just in the last couple weeks, in the world of Web 2.0, I have seen so many revert back to meanness. Sorry for those whom I've already ranted to about this who also read my blog. One incident had to do with some women in the church who decided to wear pants to church in protest of gender inequality. Supposedly there was a FaceyFace group formed that received a lot of attention. Some good, some bad. Eventually it was pulled by Facebook (it was reinstated on Dec 20th). That's pretty bad, if it's pulled by Facebook! There were statements of disagreement, that led to statements of condemnation, that led to calls for excommunication, but still. That's not enough for Facebook to shut down the page. So why did it get pulled? Because someone made a death threat against the organizers! What?!? Though you may disagree with the ideas presented by the organizers, how is any of that behavior exemplary of our Savior? The other incident has to do with the shooting in Connecticut. In an effort to save my sanity, I turned off the news and avoided Facebook for a while, but before I did that, I couldn't help but notice that riddled between the exclamations of sympathy there were a few statements of the sort that if the shooter hadn't shot himself, they'd be happy to do it. Similar comments were made after the shooting in Colorado this past summer. Ugh. But that's not the point. Pres. Hinckley asked us, particularly in times of crisis, to be friendly, supportive, protective, and helpful.
We of this Church know something of such groups. The Book of Mormon speaks of the Gadianton robbers, a vicious, oath-bound, and secret organization bent on evil and destruction. In their day they did all in their power, by whatever means available, to bring down the Church, to woo the people with sophistry, and to take control of the society. We see the same thing in the present situation.
We are people of peace. We are followers of the Christ who was and is the Prince of Peace. But there are times when we must stand up for right and decency, for freedom and civilization, just as Moroni rallied his people in his day to the defense of their wives, their children, and the cause of liberty (see Alma 48:10).
In my opinion, we can only stand up for right and decency, for freedom and civilization if we, ourselves, act right, with decency, free from the wiles of the world, and civil. Consider it mental and spiritual preparation for the defense we will be called to give.
On the Larry King television broadcast the other night, I was asked what I think of those who, in the name of their religion, carry out such infamous activities. I replied, “Religion offers no shield for wickedness, for evil, for those kinds of things. The God in whom I believe does not foster this kind of action. He is a God of mercy. He is a God of love. He is a God of peace and reassurance, and I look to Him in times such as this as a comfort and a source of strength.”
Do you ever feel like you only look to Him for comfort and a source of strength in times of crisis?
Members of the Church in this and other nations are now involved with many others in a great international undertaking. On television we see those of the military leaving their loved ones, knowing not whether they will return. It is affecting the homes of our people. Unitedly, as a Church, we must get on our knees and invoke the powers of the Almighty in behalf of those who will carry the burdens of this campaign.
Are we still there? I know I could do better.
No one knows how long it will last. No one knows precisely where it will be fought. No one knows what it may entail before it is over. We have launched an undertaking the size and nature of which we cannot see at this time.
Occasions of this kind pull us up sharply to a realization that life is fragile, peace is fragile, civilization itself is fragile. The economy is particularly vulnerable. We have been counseled again and again concerning self-reliance, concerning debt, concerning thrift. So many of our people are heavily in debt for things that are not entirely necessary. When I was a young man, my father counseled me to build a modest home, sufficient for the needs of my family, and make it beautiful and attractive and pleasant and secure. He counseled me to pay off the mortgage as quickly as I could so that, come what may, there would be a roof over the heads of my wife and children. I was reared on that kind of doctrine. I urge you as members of this Church to get free of debt where possible and to have a little laid aside against a rainy day.
Time for a self assessment! What's your debt looking like?
We cannot provide against every contingency. But we can provide against many contingencies. Let the present situation remind us that this we should do.
As we have been continuously counseled for more than 60 years, let us have some food set aside that would sustain us for a time in case of need. But let us not panic nor go to extremes. Let us be prudent in every respect. And, above all, my brothers and sisters, let us move forward with faith in the Living God and His Beloved Son.
Did you do it? Remember when the counsel was for a years supply? And then three months? And now at least 72 hours? I don't think the need is any less, and while there may be other circumstances in play, I think it's more that we're just not following through. I'm not tooting my own horn here people; I have just as much to do as the next person, but I think I'm on the right track.
Great are the promises concerning this land of America. We are told unequivocally that it “is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12). This is the crux of the entire matter—obedience to the commandments of God.
We've come full circle. It's about keeping the commandments. That's what it has always been about.
The Constitution under which we live, and which has not only blessed us but has become a model for other constitutions, is our God-inspired national safeguard ensuring freedom and liberty, justice and equality before the law.
I don't know where I heard/read it, but somewhere someone asked a lawyer if he could accept the Constitution without all the case law that has followed. Basically, he said no. While he believes the Constitution to be divinely instituted, he also believes that the case law that has been brought up in the last two centuries has made our government stronger and better able to protect its citizens. Anyway, something to ponder.
I do not know what the future holds. I do not wish to sound negative, but I wish to remind you of the warnings of scripture and the teachings of the prophets which we have had constantly before us.
I cannot forget the great lesson of Pharaoh’s dream of the fat and lean kine and of the full and withered stalks of corn.
I cannot dismiss from my mind the grim warnings of the Lord as set forth in the 24th chapter of Matthew.
I am familiar, as are you, with the declarations of modern revelation that the time will come when the earth will be cleansed and there will be indescribable distress, with weeping and mourning and lamentation (see D&C 112:24).
Now, I do not wish to be an alarmist. I do not wish to be a prophet of doom. I am optimistic. I do not believe the time is here when an all-consuming calamity will overtake us. I earnestly pray that it may not. There is so much of the Lord’s work yet to be done. We, and our children after us, must do it.
While we also don't need to be alarmists, we do need to be aware of our surroundings and the prophecies from past and present.
I can assure you that we who are responsible for the management of the affairs of the Church will be prudent and careful as we have tried to be in the past. The tithes of the Church are sacred. They are appropriated in the manner set forth by the Lord Himself. We have become a very large and complex organization. We carry on many extensive and costly programs. But I can assure you that we will not exceed our income. We will not place the Church in debt. We will tailor what we do to the resources that are available.
I think this is one of the few examples where the macro has led the micro. That's how it should be, but I've come to believe in the last several years, and in the case of our economy especially, the micro needs to lead the macro. I don't feel Ike I can demand a debt free government when I myself am drowning in unnecessary debt. But regardless, I appreciate the example of the church as a whole in regards to provident living.
How grateful I am for the law of tithing. It is the Lord’s law of finance. It is set forth in a few words in the 119th section of the Doctrine and Covenants. It comes of His wisdom. To every man and woman, to every boy and girl, to every child in this Church who pays an honest tithing, be it large or small, I express gratitude for the faith that is in your hearts. I remind you, and those who do not pay tithing but who should, that the Lord has promised marvelous blessings (see Mal. 3:10–12). He has also promised that “he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming” (D&C 64:23).
I express appreciation to those who pay a fast offering. This costs the giver nothing other than going without two meals a month. It becomes the backbone of our welfare program, designed to assist those in distress.
As a Relief Society President I was able to see tithing and fast offerings at work. What a valuable experience! I wouldn't trade it for the world, and would recommend all to give some assistance at their local Bishop's Storehouse to see those funds in action. It's truly remarkable.
Now, all of us know that war, contention, hatred, suffering of the worst kind are not new. The conflict we see today is but another expression of the conflict that began with the War in Heaven. I quote from the book of Revelation:
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
“And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ” (Rev. 12:7–10).
That must have been a terrible conflict. The forces of evil were pitted against the forces of good. The great deceiver, the son of the morning, was defeated and banished, and took with him a third of the hosts of heaven.
The book of Moses and the book of Abraham shed further light concerning this great contest. Satan would have taken from man his agency and taken unto himself all credit and honor and glory. Opposed to this was the plan of the Father which the Son said He would fulfill, under which He came to earth and gave His life to atone for the sins of mankind.
From the day of Cain to the present, the adversary has been the great mastermind of the terrible conflicts that have brought so much suffering.
Treachery and terrorism began with him. And they will continue until the Son of God returns to rule and reign with peace and righteousness among the sons and daughters of God.
I feel like the words of Dumbledore would be appropriate here... Though I'm not sure which ones. Perhaps, "We're at war, Prime Minister, and steps must be taken."
Through centuries of time, men and women, so very, very many, have lived and died. Some may die in the conflict that lies ahead. To us, and we bear solemn testimony of this, death will not be the end. There is life beyond this as surely as there is life here. Through the great plan which became the very essence of the War in Heaven, men shall go on living.
Job asked, “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14). He replied: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
“And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
“Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another” (Job 19:25–27).
I feel as if Pres. Hinckley is reminding us to keep an eternal perspective here. That God has a plan for us, and that through our obedience we will conquer.
Now, brothers and sisters, we must do our duty, whatever that duty might be. Peace may be denied for a season. Some of our liberties may be curtailed. We may be inconvenienced. We may even be called on to suffer in one way or another. But God our Eternal Father will watch over this nation and all of the civilized world who look to Him. He has declared, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Ps. 33:12). Our safety lies in repentance. Our strength comes of obedience to the commandments of God.
I like how he reminds us that to be free is a privilege, not necessarily a right. And again... The call to repentance and to obey the commandments. It's like he wants us to listen or something. In the Bible, they say that if something is repeated three times is was very serious. Well... He just repeated that for the third time!
Let us be prayerful. Let us pray for righteousness. Let us pray for the forces of good. Let us reach out to help men and women of goodwill, whatever their religious persuasion and wherever they live. Let us stand firm against evil, both at home and abroad. Let us live worthy of the blessings of heaven, reforming our lives where necessary and looking to Him, the Father of us all. He has said, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10).
Let us go and do all that The Lord hath commanded...
Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes. We can be an influence for good in this world, every one of us.
May the God of heaven, the Almighty, bless us, help us, as we walk our various ways in the uncertain days that lie ahead. May we look to Him with unfailing faith. May we worthily place our reliance on His Beloved Son who is our great Redeemer, whether it be in life or in death, is my prayer in His holy name, even the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
And he just gave us the forumla for said peace in all his words above....so in this time of war, conflict, confusion, and Christmas, may we be the start of a little peace on Earth.
