This morning I had a converstaion with someone about the price of hay. By the end I was in a bit of a doomsday mood, though we know better than 'doomsday' as members of the church, we are also very well informed about the last days and what they will entail. And, as we see abundant sign around us, we still don't know if it means years and years, or not very long. So, what does the price of hay have to do with it all? Well, the price of hay is looking to skyrocket this summer, possibly up to $300 a ton. Market prices fluctuate between 100-200 a ton in a more stable economy. Great for farmers selling the hay. Horrible for the Dairy Farmers buying it to feed their cows--which passes on to the supermarket and you and me. There are strong rumors about the effects of Japan's struggles on an already weak US economy--two world powers with major economic issues will have severe effects on the rest of the world economy. Struggles in warring countries, fuel prices consistently rising, lead to more fears about what lies ahead in the future. Are we ready for hard times? Harder than we have faced? Will it really be so bad? Will it be worse?
And then comfort comes from the place where it always does--scripture, the word of the Lord through ancient and modern prophets--reminding us what we have been taught all along.
President Ezra taft Benson taught, using the people of Israel, under Joshua's leadership as an example,
“Now during this critical period, and it is a critical period that we are passing through, I hope that we will keep ever burning in our hearts the spirit of this great work which we represent. If we do so, we’ll have no anxiety; we’ll have no fear; we’ll not worry about the future because the Lord has given us the assurance that if we live righteously, if we keep his commandments, if we humble ourselves before him, all will be well. I turn to two passages of scripture today which I’d like to read:
“‘. . . Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.’ ( Joshua 1:9 .)
“This was the Lord’s admonition to his son, Joshua, encouraging him to trust in God. Joshua answered that admonition in counsel to his people in these words:
“‘. . . choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’ ( Ibid., 24:15.)
“Embodied in these two passages of scripture are the two principal essentials for security and peace: first, trust in God; and second, a determination to keep the commandments, to serve the Lord, to do that which is right. Latter-day Saints who live according to these two admonitions—trust in God and keep the commandments—have nothing to fear.
“The Lord has made it very clear in the revelations that even though times become perilous, even though we be surrounded by temptation and sin, even though there be a feeling of insecurity, even though men’s hearts may fail them and anxiety fill their souls, if we only trust in God and keep his commandments we need have no fear.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1950, pp. 145–46.)
Don't you just love the peace the gospel brings?
No comments:
Post a Comment