By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Q WOULD LIKE to speak of a universal conflict that may arise occur anytime and anywhere.
I consider an aspect of evil, at least, I know that can have harmful effects that hinder our progress, discourage us, undermine our hopes and we dejanindefensos to other evils of considerable magnitude. I would like to address this issue, because I know of no other recourse but to Satan so clever and skillfully used like this to carry out their evil work, I refer to the dismay that has gripped us, defeated until the point where we think we are incapable of move forward, in short, discouragement and despair.
In addressing this issue, it is not my intention to dismiss the fact that, in fact, there are a number of other things in the world that cause us distress. In life, individually and collectively, as well as local, national and international swarm certainly true threats to our happiness. However, what worries me are the complexities and problems that publish newspapers and radio broadcasts, but those things but do not appear in headlines, are very important in our everyday lives, and therefore, in history of our lives.
By way of introduction, I would like to quote an American writer F. thought Seott Fitzgerald (1896-1940), who said that "conflicts are not necessarily related to the discouraged, since it has its own" bacteria "that cause, which is so different from the conflict itself, such as arthritis is different the stiffness " (The Crack-Up, ed. by Edmund Wilson, New York: James Laughlin , 1945, pg. 77).
all have problems and conflicts, but the "bacteria" of discouragement, using the term expressed by Fitzgerald, not lie in the conflict , but in ourselves, or-more precisocreo lies in Satan, the prince of darkness, the father of lies, and he wants to incubate the bacteria in the soul. Most of the time is a bacterium apparently insignificant, but the problem is that it multiplies, grows and spreads. In fact, it can become almost a habit, or a way of living and thinking, which is when most damage occurs, and then begins to cause increasing devastation in our spirit, consuming more major tasks that we set ourselves religious, ie those relating to faith, hope and charity. We become introverted and return downward gaze, thereby deteriorating, or at least diminishing, those great Christian virtues. We are unhappy and soon make other people unhappy ... Lucifer and rejoices.
As is any kind of bacteria, we should resort to preventive medicine to counteract the progress of the bacteria of despair that is in those things that depress us. Remember the concept expressed by Dante Alighieri in his The Divine Comedy in the Paradise , song 17, which says: "When the arrow is seen coming in advance, the impact that is less strong" (translation).
Moreover, Scripture says, "And angels shall fly through the midst of heaven, crying out loud ... Prepare, prepare (D and C. 88:92.)
" If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" (D & C 8:30).
Fear part of what I intend to contest this time. We see that the Scriptures teach us that the development or prevention is one of the most powerful weapons we can lay hands to defend ourselves from the disappointment that can lead progressively to defeat. For example, is likely to feel overwhelmed by economic problems, but we must have courage and remember that we are the only ones who face this difficulty. Such problems can be very painful, it is true, but we have an obligation, even to ourselves-to ensure, so that we will not be destructive. Maybe live without some things we need, and we consider in poverty, but we note the following:
" And if the grass of the field is today, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, God clothes, will he not much more to us, men of little faith?" (Matthew 6:30).
Prepare, plan ahead, let us strive, sacrifiquémonos. Let us use our time and money on things that we have value. Aprovisionémonos now calm and inner peace to know esprenden of consciousness that has done the best that has been with what has been taken. If you work hard and prepare ourselves with patience, will be very difficult for us to leave folded. If we work with faith in God, in ourselves and in our future, we will build upon a rock: and when they come wind and rain - as a come-they will not pull us down. Now, if we try all we can and live righteously, and yet we still things are burdensome and difficult, we value. Remember that other people have gone through the same experiences.
unpopular Do we consider ourselves different? Read again the story of Noah and see what was popular in the year 2500 a. JC presents Is life as a way filled with endless obstacles? Read again about Moses. Try to figure out how heavy it must have been the burden of having to deal with Pharaoh, and then the forty years wandering the desert. Some tasks require time. Accept this fact and keep in mind that the scripture says that "everything goes", yes, everything has an end. Some day we will overcome the problems we now mourn, that everything will be back. The lives of others gives us the proof.
"We fear that haunts the rest of us do not like? The Prophet Joseph Smith could talk extensively
thereon. Do we have health problems? Certainly find solace in the fact that a real Job Haggi this church through one of the most exciting and revealing decades of this dispensation. In the last thirty years, President Kimball has known few days free of pain, grief or illness. Is it objectionable wonder if he will not, in a sense, become what is not only despite their health problems but also partly because of them? Do not have to infuse value the sacrifice of this colossus of a man who has braved the disease, defied death and the powers of darkness, and that, given just the strength to go forward, he cried out, and Caleb: "Oh Lord, I have strength yet! Give me this mountain now! ( See "Give me this mountain now," Ensign, January 1980 págs.122-125.)
Are we any Once devoid of talent, unable or lower? "It would help to know something everyone else feel the same, even the prophets of God? At first, Moses tried to resist its appeal, arguing that it lacked eloquence to talk to. Jeremiah was considered a child and was afraid to confront people. What about Enoch? I beg all to remember Enoch for the rest of our days. He was the young man who, when called to perform a seemingly impossible task, said: "How do I find favor in your sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me for I am slow of speech?. .. "(Moses 6:31.) But Enoch was a believer, he summoned up courage and, although shaky, followed the path he should follow. Yes, the simple, no talent and less Enoch. And here's what angels came to write of him: "And so great was the faith of Enoch, who led God's people and their enemies came to battle against them, and he spoke the word of the Lord and the earth quaked, and fled the mountains, in accordance with its mandate, and the rivers of water were diverted from their beds, and they heard the roar of lions in the wilderness, and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and So great is the power of the word "God had given him." (Moses 7:13.)
The simple and unable Enoch, whose name is now synonymous with supreme righteousness! Next Once we are tempted to consider us insignificant and useless, remember that these fears have undertaken the most splendid men and women of this kingdom. I repeat what Joshua said to the tribes of Israel to face one of its most difficult tests, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you" (Joshua 3:5).
On the other hand, there is naturally a source of despair is more serious than all the others, and poor preparation lies in much more serious nature. It is the opposite of sanctification, is the most destructive kind of discouragement both in this life and eternity. I'm talking to the transgression against God, depression or depression resulting from sin. The critical point in this plane, once we recognize the seriousness of our mistakes, will come to believe we can change, that indeed we can be different. He did not believe it is clearly a ploy to discourage and defeat Satan. Kneel and give thanks to our Heavenly Father because we belong to his church and because we accepted the gospel that promises the fruit of repentance to all those who are willing to pay the price. Repentance is not a word of evil presage, that is, after faith, the term most inspiring Christian vocabulary, it is simply an invitation from the Scriptures to growth, improvement, progress and renewal.
course we can change! If righteousness is our constant, we can certainly become what we want. If there is a regret I can not stand, is weak, pitiful and web excuse: "And what I can do if this is how I am!" If we speak of disappointment, that I discourage me. Uprooted from our thoughts around: "But I'm like that!". I've heard that expression from the lips of many people who wanted to sin and they found a principle of psychology to justify it. And I make it clear that I use the word sin to cover a wide range of habits, some apparently innocent, which, however, bring discouragement, defeat and despair. We can change anything we want, and we can do very quickly. Another satanic deception that is what repentance means a delay of years and years. In repentance, it will take as much as we wait to say, "will change" and say with true intention. Of course there will be problems to solve and make refunds. In fact, we could spend the rest of life, and it would be preferable so be it - proving that our repentance is true by a permanent change. In fact, change, progress, renewal, repentance, in short, can become part of our life in a way so sudden as it was for Alma and the sons of Mosiah. Even when we have to repair serious damage, it is highly unlikely that we deserve the title of "the vilest of sinners" (Mosiah 28:4), which is how these young Mormon describes. However, Alma recounts his own experience in Chapter 36 of the book that bears his name, which reveals that his repentance and radical change was both sudden and startling. Erremos but not on the understanding that: Repentance is not easy, painless, and no, no, it's something comfortable ... is the bitter cup of hell. But Satan that dwells only wants us to think that the necessary temporary discomfort that causes us to recognize our sins is more unpleasant than having to stay there all the time. Only he could say: "You can not change.
never change, as it takes to change a lot and is very difficult. Renounce all efforts to change, surrender. Do not you regret. You are like you , and that's enough. " This, my friends, is a lie that comes from despair. Do not believe it.
We immerse ourselves in Scripture. Here we will described our own experiences in them find spirituality and strength, and advice on solutions to our problems. Nephi said: "The words of Christ will tell you all things what ye do" (2 Nephi 32:3). Pray fervently and we fast with purpose and devotion.
Some difficulties, as some demons, do not go "but prayer and fasting." (See Matthew 17:21.) Serving our neighbors. Paradoxically the admonition, is real: that only by serving others we can save ourselves. Have faith. "Have you stopped the day of miracles? Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Spirit? Or will, during the time, or there is land or in the world has a man to be saved? Behold, I say no, because ... it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men. " (Moroni 7:35, 37.)
Elysee, with a power that only the prophets know, had advised the king of Israel how, where and when Warriors defend Syria. For its part, the Syrian king, troubled by Elisha's prophetic knowledge about their movements, wanted to get rid of the Prophet of Israel, which sent soldiers to arrest him. Here I quote the story of the Scriptures on this issue: "Then sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great army, they came by night and surrounded the city .... and here is the army compassed the city both with horses and chariots. "
course, that itself was enough to discourage anyone's heart, if in place Elisha. This, together with the young man who was his servant, he beheld the spectacle: a prophet and a boy against the world ... and the young man was paralyzed with fear when they saw the enemy everywhere, yes, trouble and worry and despair on all sides, and no way to escape. Wavering faith, the boy said: Ah, sir! What shall we do? "What replied Elysee?" Fear not, because most are those who are with us that those who are with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, "Please, Lord, open his eyes to see. Lord opened the servant's eyes, and looked, and behold the mountain was full of horsemen and chariots of fire all around Elisha. "(2 Kings 6:14-17.)
In the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we help the two sides of the veil, and this must never forget. When disappointment and discouragement overwhelm us ever-and certainly overwhelm us - we must remember and never forget that if our eyes were open, we would see, how far the reach of our eyes, people on horses and chariots of fire that comes with breakneck speed to give us your protection . Yes, the heavenly hosts are always around us, in defense of the seed of Abraham. I Finally, citing the following promise of heaven: "Verily, verily I say unto you, ye children, and still have not understood how great blessings the Father has in his own hands and prepared for you";
And you can not bear all things now, however, be of good cheer, for I will lead. " "I will go before your face. I'll be on your right hand and on your left ... and my angels around you, to bear." "From you are the kingdom and its blessings, and the riches of eternity are yours." (D . & C 78:1718, 84:88, 78:18.)
Oh yes, the site "do God prepared it, look place." And by the way, "sing, yes, out loud, give glory to the Lord and God, and above all the saying: Oh, it's all good!" (Hymns, 214.) In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(By Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the University of BrighamYoung. Adapted from a speech at Brigham Young University. Speech published in the Ensign in January 1982, pp. 7-13.)
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