This was a great conference talk from the last general conference and we talked about it a few Sunday's ago in Relief Society. I loved this talk. We live in a crazy, mixed up world. It seems to get worse every single day, and as much as I love it, I am sometimes very afraid for what the future might hold. Especially for the children and youth of the world.
We have so many technological advances available to us. Things that can bring us great joy, or great sorrow depending on how they are used. This talk was comforting to me because he reminded me that fear is a choice we each make. If we are living righteous lives, we do not need to fear the eternal outcome of life. It won't matter what the world does, it matters what we do and what we choose to follow.
"Since ancient times, fear has limited the perspective of God’s children. I have always loved the account of Elisha in 2 Kings. The king of Syria had sent a legion that “came by night, and compassed the city about.”2 Their intent was to capture and kill the prophet Elisha. We read:
“And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?”3
That was fear speaking.
“And [Elisha] answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”4
But he didn’t stop there.
“Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”5
We may or may not have chariots of fire sent to dispel our fears and conquer our demons, but the lesson is clear. The Lord is with us, mindful of us and blessing us in ways only He can do. Prayer can call down the strength and the revelation that we need to center our thoughts on Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. The Lord knew that at times we would feel fear. I have been there and so have you, which is why the scriptures are replete with the Lord’s counsel:
“Be of good cheer, and do not fear.”
“Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”"
Do not fear has ever been the message of a loving Heavenly Father to us, His children. I think it is important to not only remember who we are as we struggle through this life, but to also remember and acknowledge "whose" we are.
May we ever be without fear.
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