Do World Events Make You Anxious?
Can there be peace amidst the storms and challenges of modern mothering?
Me with my daughter, Shanelle, who is the mother of five young children.
Me with my daughter, Shanelle, who is the mother of five young children.
LDS members have been told that the Second Coming is near since the incipient beginnings of their church when Joseph Smith, the prophet of the Restoration, explained in the very first chapter of the Doctrine and Covenants: "Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh". This can be considered both good and bad news. As we are taught, it is a great day for the prepared and a dreadful day for those who are not. But how imminent is the Second Coming and how important is it for faithful saints to know of its general proximity? Scriptures in the Old Testament, the New Testament all contain a significant number prophecies whereby informed and believing souls can identify the signs of the times. These things are reinforced by what we consider to be modern revelation which includes the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, as well as inspired utterances by modern apostles and prophets.
I often think of pregnancy as a type and shadow for the Last Days. As the pains become more intense, your knowledge that delivery is approaching becomes more sure. Knowing what to expect reduces anxiety and helps you be prepared for the transitioning events. Every prophet talked about the last days and how intense they would eventually become, "For there shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." Matthew 24:21
But, what we must never forget is the potential of what delivery can yield. I recall my first pregnancy and how painful it was becoming. The hardest part was not knowing at what point I was at and if I could endure to the end. I had falsely assumed that labor began in the delivery room. I had misunderstood the order of things as presented in my maternity classes. I wondered if all the pain I had endured to that point was but a precursor to something perhaps unbearable. I didn't know that my delivery was literally minutes away. When I began to have contractions in subsequent pregnancies, I would actually get butterflies, the excited, anticipatory kind, because I knew what was possible. I feel it can also be such when anticipating the winding up scenes and seeing prophecies being fulfilled which indicate that these days are near, even knowing that difficult days lie ahead. We anticipate that it will culminate with a condition where every knee shall bend and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ. It will be a time, according to Isaiah and the Book of Revelation, when all tears shall cease for the righteous. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for former things are passed away." Yet, it is clear that calamities and the predominance of unrighteousness upon the earth are going to be a part of the refining process: "What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? . . . These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7:13-14)
But, what we must never forget is the potential of what delivery can yield. I recall my first pregnancy and how painful it was becoming. The hardest part was not knowing at what point I was at and if I could endure to the end. I had falsely assumed that labor began in the delivery room. I had misunderstood the order of things as presented in my maternity classes. I wondered if all the pain I had endured to that point was but a precursor to something perhaps unbearable. I didn't know that my delivery was literally minutes away. When I began to have contractions in subsequent pregnancies, I would actually get butterflies, the excited, anticipatory kind, because I knew what was possible. I feel it can also be such when anticipating the winding up scenes and seeing prophecies being fulfilled which indicate that these days are near, even knowing that difficult days lie ahead. We anticipate that it will culminate with a condition where every knee shall bend and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ. It will be a time, according to Isaiah and the Book of Revelation, when all tears shall cease for the righteous. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for former things are passed away." Yet, it is clear that calamities and the predominance of unrighteousness upon the earth are going to be a part of the refining process: "What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? . . . These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7:13-14)
Not only do we have the words of Isaiah, Paul, John, Peter and others rehearse what the last days would entail, but we have had all the prophets of the Restoration give us insights as to what expect. As a young teenager, I was so impressed with the 24th chapter of Matthew and its rehearsal of conditions in the last days. Now, more than 4 decades later, almost every one of these predictions have seen at least partial fulfillment. So do I panic? Do I worry what the recent Blood Moon may have set in motion? The answer is no. Have I made a mad dash to the grocery store? I have added systematically to my food storage supply. Is this a time to be wholly at peace and lulled into a type of security. I don't think that is appropriate for any time in mortality, much less this time. There is simply no better time than right now to set our homes in order. Delay just postpones blessings that we could now be enjoying. It is like trying to immunize yourself after you hear the outbreak is in your city, your neighborhood or in your home. It is risky and imprudent to delay.
I have noticed some working more diligently on their food storage of late. I love how the Lord defines a righteous virgin in D&C 45:57: "For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not be deceived, verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day." If I had to choose between having an ample supply of food, necessities and sundries or the current capacity to recognize and qualify for the gifts of the spirit, I would definitely choose the latter. But, the latter can persuade me to follow the words of the prophets and set aside a supply of necessities. I call this a righteous spiral. Keeping the commandments increases your sensitivity to the Spirit of revelation. The Spirit can give us direction and inspiration in the implementation of those commandments.
I feel the advice as found in D&C 51:17 is perfect. "And the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years, and this shall turn unto them for their good." But if we are knowledgeable about the scriptures, praying and counseling as a family, we will be prepared even if the end is soon through a marvelous principle called the Law of Justification. One of our families favorite scriptures is found in Malachi 3:16: "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another. And the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him."
We live in precarious times. Pride, evil and arrogance abound. It is just as President Ezra Taft Benson predicted. He said that society just prior to the second coming of the Savior will be just as it was prior to His visiting the Americas, following His resurrection. Evil would abound, but there would also be those so spiritually attuned that they will have rent the veil and communed with angels. It would be a time when it would be very unpopular to promote morality. It would be a time when good would be called evil and evil good. It would be just as it was in Jerusalem, when Christ declared He was the Bread of Life, when many no more walked with him. I believe the great and final winnowing has begun in earnest, just as in the meridian of time.
We live in precarious times. Pride, evil and arrogance abound. It is just as President Ezra Taft Benson predicted. He said that society just prior to the second coming of the Savior will be just as it was prior to His visiting the Americas, following His resurrection. Evil would abound, but there would also be those so spiritually attuned that they will have rent the veil and communed with angels. It would be a time when it would be very unpopular to promote morality. It would be a time when good would be called evil and evil good. It would be just as it was in Jerusalem, when Christ declared He was the Bread of Life, when many no more walked with him. I believe the great and final winnowing has begun in earnest, just as in the meridian of time.
So how do we know where we stand? We might ask ourselves, "when was the last time I felt the spirit strongly?" Feeling the spirit is a good indication that you are on a strait and narrow path. However, if you feel that you cannot progress because of the actions of others, it is likely that you have need of repentance. Repentance, as is explained in the Bible Dictionary, is from a Greek word "of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world." We need to approach God and seek his view of things, including his view of us. Then, we need to trust him and let him mold us into that person he wants us to become. Don't feel badly, the more enlightened you are, the more you will take advantage of the healing power of the atonement. The Bible Dictionary further explains, "Without this there can be no progress in the things of the soul's salvation, for all accountable persons are stained by sin and must be cleansed in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Repentance is not optional for salvation; it is a commandment of God."
It does take my breath away to watch the World News. I daily watch the CNN Student News with my students. Prophecy is literally unfolding before our eyes. Just remember that the fruits of righteousness include peace of mind. Just as when we have a fever, it is an indication we need to check in with the doctor and make adjustments. When we lack peace and hope, and feel despair, it is time to check in with the Master Physician to see what we need to add or take away from our lives so that spiritual balance can be restored. If we feel that all is well and Zion, it is likely time to take stalk as well.
These words may seem too simple, but the Lord has promised to those that are heavily burdened:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye wall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. " Matthew 11:28-30
One quote I love was authored by Bruce R. McConkie, "The very reason for preaching the gospel to the world is so believing souls may escape the sorrows and desolations that lie ahead." (The Millennial Messiah, p. 574.) Isn't the greatest calamity of all to have procrastinated the day of our repentance until it is everlastingly too late. "They shall look for me, and, behold, I will come; and they shall see me in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great glory; and with all the holy angels; and he that watches not for me shall be cut off." (D&C 45:44.) Is it possible to be sealed up against the calamities? I believe it is. "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." (Revelation 3.) One of the simplest means of bringing a great spirit into a family is simply to pray together morning and night and to read a few scriptures together at the day's end. This simple daily act can increase both our desire and our capacity to be good. We additionally recommend a daily accounting of the ways in which we think we may have seen the hand of the Lord in our lives that day. For "faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith." (Bible Dictionary, Faith) For truly by small and simple things will great things come to pass.
Vicki Robinson
One quote I love was authored by Bruce R. McConkie, "The very reason for preaching the gospel to the world is so believing souls may escape the sorrows and desolations that lie ahead." (The Millennial Messiah, p. 574.) Isn't the greatest calamity of all to have procrastinated the day of our repentance until it is everlastingly too late. "They shall look for me, and, behold, I will come; and they shall see me in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great glory; and with all the holy angels; and he that watches not for me shall be cut off." (D&C 45:44.) Is it possible to be sealed up against the calamities? I believe it is. "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." (Revelation 3.) One of the simplest means of bringing a great spirit into a family is simply to pray together morning and night and to read a few scriptures together at the day's end. This simple daily act can increase both our desire and our capacity to be good. We additionally recommend a daily accounting of the ways in which we think we may have seen the hand of the Lord in our lives that day. For "faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith." (Bible Dictionary, Faith) For truly by small and simple things will great things come to pass.
Vicki Robinson
