What happened to common decency?
It used to be possible to think
that hate-filled behavior was an isolated occurrence, common to a particular nation-state
or time and to specific politicians, oligarchs or social classes.
However, as a result of public
media, social networks, and smart phones, it is now obvious that people
everywhere are susceptible to hate. The cruelty and bigotry in the egos of
human beings and its violent and fanatic expression is evident and suffered
globally.
Whom do we trust – political leaders,
church leaders, coaches, teachers, parents?
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the
feast day, many believed in his
name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he
knew all men,
25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he
knew what was in man.
John 2:23-25
Ether 6 :4 in the Book of Mormon says:
4 And it came to
pass that when they had prepared all manner of food, that thereby they might
subsist upon the water, and also food for their flocks and herds, and
whatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carry with them—and it came
to pass that when they had done all these things they got aboard of their
vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the
Lord their God.
The word commend means to entrust their care to. So, in other words, the Jaredites
entrusted their care to God. By commending themselves to the Lord, they
demonstrated their faith that He could and would deliver them. “The wind did never
cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters” (Ether
6:8).
There are many examples of when people have not trusted
God such as Nephi’s brothers as they crossed
the sea with their family. When Laman and Lemuel bound Nephi, the family’s
compass, the Liahona, ceased to work and their boat was “driven back upon the
waters for the space of four days” (1 Nephi 18:15).
Both the Jaredites and Lehi’s family sought to commend
themselves to the Lord’s care; however, some members of Lehi’s family were disobedient.
The contrast between these two accounts shows that we must exercise faith and
keep the commandments to receive all the blessings the Lord would give us
through His care.
Elder
W. Craig Zwick of the Seventy said, “ In the eyes and hearts of many people in
the world today, there is evidence of doubt, fear, and hopelessness. Much of
the insecurity in the world has filtered into our homes and personal lives. No
matter what our age or circumstance, we all have a need to know that we have
power in the present and hope in the future.
Every one of us needs to
know that we can go on in the strength of the Lord. We can put our hand in His,
and we will feel His sustaining presence lift us to heights unattainable alone.
We must trust in the
Lord. If we give ourselves freely to Him, our burdens will be lifted and our
hearts will be consoled.” (“The
Lord Thy God Will Hold Thy Hand” Ensign,
November 2003).
Listen
to the words of Mormon: “Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye
not that he hath all power?” (Morm. 5:23).
Elder
Richard G. Scott counseled: “Trust in God … no matter how challenging the
circumstance. … Your peace of mind, your assurance of answers to vexing
problems, your ultimate joy depend upon your trust in Heavenly Father and His
Son, Jesus Christ” (“The Sustaining Power of Faith in Times of Uncertainty and
Testing,” Liahona and Ensign,
May 2003, 76, 78).
The only one we are called to “entrust” ourselves to is
God, and all other trust relationships should only be through that filter.
No comments:
Post a Comment