LET YOUR HEARTS BE CALM

I haven’t been able to identify what was so different about this week; nations still threaten and war against nations, populations still suffer because of selfish leaders, men and women still lie and murder to get gain, people are still getting married or living together until it is no longer self- satisfying, the perfecting of character assassination skills continues, leaving one with the feeling of living in a world which is in a rapidly accelerating downward spiral which can only end in destruction, but for some reason it has caused me to have an increase of anxiety about what future we are heading towards.

During those hours when I have had my brow in my hands, wrung those hands, stared out the window without really seeing through the pain of glass or just sitting in a chair in a state of concerned numbness, I have pondered about what advice the well meaning, but totally wrong friends of Job would have pontificated had they been made aware of my thoughts.

I am pretty sure an escape to a very isolated and lonely spot would have been suggested.

Someone surely would have suggested that a moratorium on all forms of news media, including print, audio, electronic or just back fence gossip would solve the problem.

There is no doubt that the suggestion to do some pulling up on my bootstraps would have been proffered.

I am pretty sure if I had been younger one of these well meaning acquaintances would have told me to get in the fray and try to make a difference.

Since the increasing rotations of the sphere spiraling out of control seems to have reached a condition of perpetual motion, I am pretty certain that said friends of Job will continue to come up with ways to bury ones head so deeply in the sand that the noise of the world’s commotion will be stifled, but the looming death, devastation and destruction will continue to become more eminent.

In anticipation of writing this Thought I started reading in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ and was immediately struck with the realization that things have not changed during the last 2,100 years. Men have yet to come close to following the admonition of Paul the ancient Apostle: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

And so the apostles and prophets bring us back to what should occupy our minds, time, and actions. Not the terrors which have and will endlessly roam the earth, but on those characteristics, attributes and perfections which will inch us towards becoming faithful sons and daughters of our Eternally loving, Merciful and Just Heavenly Father. In fact Paul in that same epistle to the Philippians had preceded his list of things we should set our minds and hearts upon with the following promise: Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful (fears) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 4-7)

We turn back to Him who has called us friends and are forcefully reminded that the solution to living in a telestial world and not filling one’s mind with the carnal, sensual and evil which have always and will always exist in such an abode, is to set one’s mind upon things which are virtuous and praise worthy. Doing so with such diligence and abundance that little time is left for dwelling upon grosser ideas and problems.

We read in chapter 26: 14-16 of the Book of Alma that as Ammon, his brethren and the Anti-Nephi-Lehi converts were fleeing through forests from the Lamanite armies, towards unknown, but hoped for safety, Ammon counsels them to put their minds upon the following thoughts rather than the conflicts and dangers of the world.

Be righteous.

Walk in the ways of the Lord.

Observe to keep His statutes and commandments.

Look forward to the coming of Christ.

Keep the outward performances of the gospel.

Strengthen your faith in Christ.

Retain a hope through faith unto eternal salvation.

Rely on the spirit of prophecy.

As one who has been blessed to spend the majority of his days trying to learn, understand and find the way of the gospel plan, I should have learned long ago that there is plenty and more to learn, think about and strive to inculcate into one’s life, that there is no real need to allow the troubles of this telestial world to become a peace destroying annoyance.

I conclude with the counsel and promise found in Doctrine and Covenants 121: 44-46 which if followed will easily occupy my thoughts for more than a lifetime.

That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

And my heart shall be calm.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO + HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE + INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY = THE GOOD LIFE