Hope you enjoy...
I
feel extremely blessed to have the opportunity to address you today on our
topic…
The
Salt of the Earth, The Light of the World.
In
preparation, I read several conference talks pertaining to this topic, and found it
very interesting the different ways we can apply it to our lives. One reference
was that we shouldn’t let our light go out or “flavor” die. We, as church
members, should not just sit back and blend in. Salt does not blend in. In
fact, it says if "salt has lost its flavor, it is good for nothing", and that
we need to be a light to the World. We need to be an example and stand for our
values and what is important.
Veteran’s
day seems to be a very appropriate day to speak of being a light unto the world
and standing up for and defending what is right. I love Veteran’s day. I am
very appreciative and thankful to all those men and women who have served and continue
to serve us in the military.
In John 15:12 -13 it says…
14 “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have
loved you.”
13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his
life for his friends.”
And
this is what has, and is being been done to preserve our country, our freedom and our
lives.
I
have had many things go through my mind this week and what my Heavenly Father
wanted me to share with you. One thing that came to me over and over is
something that President Frank Rodarte Senior said to me when I was called to
serve in the Stake Young Women’s Presidency several years ago. He told me that
we needed people who were willing to speak plainly and boldly to the youth. I
feel the need to speak plainly with you today.
When
reading the Book of Mormon, have you wondered why people didn’t listen to the warnings
or teachings of their prophets. I remember as a youth trying to figure out how
people could consider themselves followers and yet turn away from those people
who were called to lead them. It was so obvious and clear and yet, I look at
our time now and see some of the same patterns that we recognize in the
scriptures. One example would be when the First Presidency came out with “The
Family Proclamation”. Not only did portions of it receive criticism from
people outside the church, but many members didn’t agree or fully support it either.
Most
of us have heard of the towers that were built on the edges of cities for protection. The purpose
was for men to stand guard in the towers, and watch for possible dangers that
were coming. They could then give a warning to the people and make preparations
for their defense. Our prophets have been likened many times to the watchmen.
They are inspired and given early warning of things that we need to prepare
for.
And
each prophet that has served us, was called with special talents and abilities specific
for that time and to give us heed so we can be ready.
President Monson – teaches os of
kindness and caring in a world where there is a total disregard for others and
men's hearts have waxed cold.
President Hinckley – took
the church into the public eye and educated people on who we are as LDS/Mormons.
And
I had the blessing of being taught by my parents and Grandfather the teachings
of another great prophet, Ezra Taft Benson. He was a man who not only served in
the United States Cabinet as US Secretary of Agriculture, but was a valiant
defender of the constitution and spoke of its importance often. He said…
“I don’t know how you feel, my brethren and sister, but I’d rather
be dead than to lose my liberty. I have no fear we’ll ever lose it because of
invasion from the outside. But I do have a fear that it may slip away from us
because of our own indifference, our own negligence, as citizens of this land.
And so I plead with you this morning that you take an active interest in
matters pertaining to the future of this country.” BYU Devotional, December 1, 1952
I
have heard many members say that we must pray for our country, and I agree. But
I also believe that we have become a passive people.
We
are to busy to get involved. Running kids to sports, working long hours, family
functions, church responsibilities and on top of that we don’t want to say
anything to criticize or offend others. There have been many times in the
scriptures and the history of our country that people were called to speak up,
even though they knew it would be an unpopular thing to do. Enoch who felt he was slow of speech. Jonah who attempted to run away from
the Lord’s errand. Joseph Smith who
eventually gave his life in building up the church, not to mention our founding fathers and many others who
fought for our freedoms. How do we repay them? By passively sitting back and “hoping”
for the best. We have a responsibility to stand up, speak up and share what we
believe and know. We do not have to be contentious. There is enough of that in
the world. We do not need to condemn and criticize others, but we should not
remain quiet.
We
have been told that our constitution is a divinely inspired document. And yet we
allow it to be distorted and transformed. Ezra
Taft Benson tells in a conference address “Our Divine Constitution” how we can “befriend” the constitution in this critical hour and secure the
blessings of liberty and ensure the protection and guidance of our Father in
Heaven. He said…
“First and foremost, we must be righteous…
Two great American Christian civilizations – the Jaredites and the
Nephites were swept off this land because they did not “serve the God of the
land, who is Jesus Christ” October 1987 General Conference
Are
we being righteous? Are we teaching our children how to be a righteous people?
Many times we fear calling right, right and wrong, wrong, because we don’t to
hurt feelings or seem critical. Our kids need to know there are consequences in
the choices that we make… go or bad. In “The Family Proclamation to the World”
we are told…
"Parents have a sacred duty to rear their
children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual
needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the
commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands
and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable
before God for the discharge of these obligations."
Another
part of being righteous is living the gospel all during the week. Do we attend
church on Sunday and then live our lives a little differently the rest of the
week. Do we read our scriptures, say our prayers and obey the commandments, not
just when convenient, but also when the choices are hard. And when we do make a
mistake, are we quick to repent?
Ezra
Taft Benson then goes on to say…
“Second he said, we must learn the principles
of the Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers.
Have we read the Federalist papers? Are we reading the constitution
and pondering it? Are we aware of its principles? Are we abiding by these principles
and teaching them to others? Could we defend the Constitution? Can we recognize
when a law is constitutionally unsound? Do we know what the prophets have said
about the Constitution and the threats to it?” Our Divine Constitution, General Conference 1987
To
me, this says we must become educated. Heavenly Father gave you a wonderful
mind and the ability to find things out for yourself. Don’t take my word for
it. To many times we blindly accept what we are told without doing the research
and taking it to our Heavenly Father for confirmation. If it is important, and
I do believe this is, isn’t it worth your time and effort to know that? I use
to make a joke with my kids that I would give them $5 if they ever got kicked
out of class for standing up for what they believed in. It wasn’t a serious
challenge, but I wanted them to know that they didn’t just have to accept what
people told them. That it was okay to ask questions and find their own answers.
They also knew that I would be the first person sitting in their class with
them if I ever found out they were disrespectful to their teachers or school
leaders. But it opened the door for some really interesting conversation in our
house. We are not at the mercy of the world’s views. We have information at the
touch of our fingers and the ability to ask people we trust when we don’t understand
issues. So there really is no excuse for being uninformed. And once you
understand the constitution and how it applies to us, then you need to figure
out how does it align with current legislation and people running for office,
and then get involved! Vote!
"We engage in the election, the same as any other principle; you are
to vote for good men, and if you do not do this, it is a sin: to vote for
wicked men would be a sin. Choose the good and refuse the evil. Men of false principles
have preyed upon us like wolves upon helpless lambs." Elder John A. Widtsoe, Conference Report, April 1944.
We
need to recognize that Satan is real. That anywhere there is great opportunity
for power, there is great opportunity for corruption. It is up to us to remain
vigilant.
Ezra
Taft Benson said in October 1988 General Conference…
“I testify that
wickedness is rapidly expanding in every segment of our society. It is more
highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than
ever before. Secret combinations lusting for power, gain, and glory are
flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all
lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over
America and the entire world.”
Remember the parable of the 10 virgins? It is
not a story about the people of the world, it is a story about Christ’s church
in the last days. The parable tells us that half of the church members will not be ready. We, the members of
the church in the last days are the ones who have been invited to the wedding.
We are the ones who are to be a light to the world.
Which
half are you in?
Have
you filled your lamp with oil?
Are
you ready to be a light to the world?
What
is happening today is all part of the continuing war that started in heaven,
and which is now in its final phases.
Are
you a valiant Soldier in the Army of Christ?
If
not – then you are not living your religion as you should. And you are not
valiant in following the Word of the Lord and the many prophets who have given
us warning.
Your
lamp is out, your oil is gone, and you are fast asleep.
The signs of the destruction of our society and our government are
all around us.
• Our children are drug addicts
• Murder is an everyday occurrence
• The moral integrity of our homes and families are being
attacked from all quarters
• Marriage is no longer a sacred institution
• Lies, deceit, and corruption are a way of life
• Even Christ’s message is being challenged
• Satan is winning the battle,
and the Army of Christ is asleep
Sound familiar?
It can be hard at times not to get
frustrated or fearful of what the future holds. But I love this by Harold
B. Lee…
“Men may fail in this
country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be
great drought, disaster, and hardships, but this nation, founded on principles
laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail. 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.
We urge members of the church
and all Americans now to reflect more intently on the meaning and importance of
the constitution, and of adherence to its principles. I have faith in the
future of this promised land of America.” Ye Are the Lighto of the world pgs 350-351
I
love my country. I am so grateful for the freedoms that we have and that it was
because of those freedoms, we have the gospel on the earth today. The Lord will
succeed. I love what my daughter said when we were talking about the things
that have been going in our country. She said “do you want to look back and
know that you took and stand and fought for what you knew was right? Or how do
you think you would feel to know that you just sat back on te sidelines and let others do the
work."
I
firmly believe the things that I have share with you today. I challenge you to
go home and study these things out for yourselves. I ask that you pray for the leaders
of our country, for the leaders of our church and for the members. That we will
stand strong and be a light to the world. That they can look to us as an
example of what it means to be free, and that it is possible. Pray that we can
be a tool in the Lord’s hands. That we can teach our children the principles of
the gospel and those which our country was founded on. And they can know the
sacrifices that have been made in their behalf. We are truly blessed to live at this time. As I sat on
the back lawn of my grandfather’s house and told him I was concerned of the
future, he told me “Lorri, it will be an incredible time. You will see miracles
happen”. I know this to be true and say these things in the name of Jesus
Christ Amen.
