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| Lookie! The Sun Came Up! |
“Brothers and sisters, let us be wise. Let us turn to the pure doctrinal waters of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us joyfully partake of them in their simplicity and plainness. The heavens are open again. The gospel of Jesus Christ is on earth once more, and its simple truths are a plentiful source of joy!
Brothers and sisters, indeed we have great reason to rejoice. If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.
Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most.
Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship—the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace.”
President Deiter F. Uchdorf, “Of Things That Matter Most.”
Deep, cleansing breath. Ready? Now let’s get back to work.
As devastated as I am, I’ve had remind myself that His work is bigger than Mitt Romney, it’s longer than four (okay, eight) years, and it’s more powerful than America. His work is to bring to pass the immorality and eternal life of man. There is a lot of work to do and He needs us to get doing!
After some thought, I decided to look at the big picture. As far as spreading the gospel, this was probably the best result.
Why?
Look at the anti-Mormon marches that went on last week in Russia. A Romney win would have politicized the Church and set missionary efforts back decades in countries that believed they could “exert leverage” on a US President who was LDS by threatening the Church. There would have been nothing the Church could have done to prevent it.
By running the kind of campaign he did and going as far as he did, Bro Romney aided the missionary effort far more than a transitory political victory could. He forced the world to take a look at the Church and recognize the good that it does in the world.
He may not have baptized anyone by doing it, but I believe that through his work and the work of others during this time the Lord was enacting the next phase of bringing the Church “out of obscurity and out of darkness” (D&C 1:30). So many misconceptions were cleared up, so many people became more tolerant of the Church…all as a result of Bro Romney running for President.
The Lord’s Plan moves forward. We just need to continue to have faith in him. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
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Thanks MMM
After the election crash I needed to refocus on what really matters
For some of us, like those of us whose livelihoods depend on things like natural resource extraction, this election wasn’t about things like bragging rights or feeling better about our beliefs; this election was about whether we could expect our federal government to continue it’s war on OUR jobs. Now, I’m faced with the prospect of having my industry put out of business. I have several young children, and I genuinely fear for my ability to put a roof over their heads and food on the table.
So, for those of you who who want to whistle past the graveyard about our “differences” and “coming together” and “we’re all Americans” and all that nonsense, chew on that. There are some of us who will pay a real and dear price because of yesterday. But, maybe it will be ok…after all, you guys who still have jobs will end up picking up the bill anyway.
I completely understand, and am glad you brought this up. The impact is immediate on some – I have mostly been focusing on the non-monetary impact on my family, because we won’t be immediately harmed. But I do know it will make a tough time even tougher.
I hope things work out for you…
I too worry about the health care mess…I am living “off” my brother until I can get my social security (3 years too early) how on earth am I going to pay for obamacare when I only get a paltry bit, AND who knows how long SS will last with him stealing from it?? I am so grieved for our country and for people who are going to lose their lively hood, and have to somehow pay for health care that no one can afford
Thank you.
You’re right, but in the interest of being truthful about things I’ll freely admit that I’ve got a belly full of hate right now. I’ll be fine, but it’s gonna take 24 hours for this to pass. Nothing that a little tonic of Uchtdorf won’t cure.
Our job is to keep preaching the ideas and principles of freedom, personal responsibility, etc. Never, ever give up on it. We need to keep our focus on spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all of our hearts, all of our might’s, and all of our strengths. The Savior is coming and we must warn our neighbors. That’s what matters.
I wasn’t for Romney or Obama. I supported Ron Paul and therefore was disappointed a couple of months back.
Thank you so much, MMM. Your post last night and this morning really helped me and my family. That, and my personal scripture study this morning after a tearful prayer.
I also love this quote from Harold B. Lee that my mom sent me this morning:
“Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail. This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this earth began in the Gardenof Eden. This is the place of the new Jerusalem. This is the place that the Lord said is favored above all other nations in all the world. This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple. This is the favored land in all the world. Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won’t fail. I have faith in America ; you and I must have faith in America , if we understand the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are living in a day when we must pay heed to these challenges.
I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. This is the favored land. This is the land of our forefathers. It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through.”
(Ye Are the Light of the World, 350-51)
Wonderful post! I greatly enjoy your blog, though this is my first time posting. I really enjoy your level-headedness and insight. Keep it up! I wrote a post on my blog last night that echoes the sentiment of this post using Helaman Chapter 1 as a bad example of how we should and could be reacting. Not wanting to be a tooter of my own horn, but I think it’s worth a read. http://roozdenscoot.blogspot.com/2012/11/join-or-die.html
Perfect post for today. I’m thankful that my husband does indeed literally go to work as do each of my son’s. But you can bet your britches that we are doubling down on family preparations for the times to come when perhaps they might no be so blessed with income generating jobs or ability to afford homes. Bunker building commencing
As I posted on my facebook wall (for my three friends to see), I’m grateful to live in a ocuntry where reasonable men and women can disagree, debate and vote, and then the next day go back to work.
OH I like that Amen button idea!
Amen.
You know what would be nice? An AMEN button for you and for the comments.
Amen
It always amazes me that the righteous in the Book of Mormon would continue in the faith even when they were the dwindling minority. Those examples were given to us for times such as these. Onward Christian Soldiers!
Thank you for those words of wisdom.
And another Pres. Uchtdorf quote I’m loving today:
“I have watched sports fans vilify and demonize their rivals. They look for any flaw and magnify it. They justify their hatred with broad generalizations and apply them to everyone associated with the other team. When ill fortune afflicts their rival, they rejoice.
Brethren, unfortunately we see today too often the same kind of attitude and behavior spill over into the public discourse of politics, ethnicity, and religion.
My dear brethren of the priesthood, my beloved fellow disciples of the gentle Christ, should we not hold ourselves to a higher standard?”
– Dieter F. Uchtdorf
I can’t believe I was afraid to read your blog this morning fearing that it would be negative. Thanks!
I was so disappointed in the number of my LDS and Christian friends who were posting things on Facebook so full of negativity and “the world is ending” attitude. I understand having a reaction to something you really wish went another way but I don’t understand the feelings of hopelessness. I am not always perfect at it but keeping the eternal perspective is so key. Our lives are full of times like this and I am sure there are many more to come. If we stick to our faith and follow Christ we have nothing to fear.
Such a sad day but so grateful for the blessings of the restored Gospel! Thanks for the sunshine & reminder of what we really do have!
Thanks for the reminder! All the same though, I hope you were able to find that pint you were looking for last night 🙂
For my British readers: When she refers to a “pint” she means ice cream. I promise.
yes a pint of the most indulgent icecream ever, Peanut Butter Cup style.
I chafe at the erosion of the Constitution I have seen in the past four years and the inevitable foreseeable decline now that the voters have chosen to stay on this path. I am reminded of Pres. Benson’s talk about the rise of socialism and I grieve for my country. But it’s okay to cry. Even Mormon wept for his foolish, arrogant compatriots.
The key word here is inevitable. As much as we would like to see the clock turned back, the decline will continue, and hasten, until the world is in complete turmoil and chaos. It has to happen – I’m not sure why any of us expected some type of reprieve.
At this point, I am tired of the sin in the world. This is more about the measures that passed on the ballots. Those show the true character of the people. I feel like I am ready for the Lord to make his appearance…but I fear we have quite a ways left to fall before that happens.
Thanks MMM! I needed that today! 🙂 My husband, the political pundit, kept telling me that he didn’t see how Gov. Romney could win, even though I wanted it so badly. Last night as the polls were coming in and I was getting more and more upset, he said, I tried to prepare you. I know, I know. But I wasn’t willing to give up hope until it was over. Well, its over. And now I need to get back to work and keep my chin up. The gospel is still true. I have a great family. And they can’t vote out the effectiveness of the Atonement or any other gospel principles. So, onward and upward….even if I don’t feel the country is headed there.
I just found your blog this week and I’m keepin’ you. What a refreshing read. Yes the sun does come up in the morning but I am soooooo disappointed. Romney would have been good for this country. Going to be another very long four years. 🙁
I’m trying.
Atta girl!