I see a lot of people struggling, suffering. I hear a lot of people detailing their depression, loneliness, fear, and apprehension. I witness so many people calling into question why 2020 has been such a traumatic, scary, and heartbreaking year.
Violence, anger, derision, calling the good evil and evil good. Destruction and mayhem, anarchy and hate. All of these things can be traced back to a singular act, one change that has brought all of this hardship and uncertainty to the world.
The ordaining of President Nelson as President and Prophet of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
It is his fault. It is all on him.
“Why?” you might ask if you are curious. “Who the hades do you think you are!” you might exclaim if you have been finally converted to the adversary’s way. it really is quite simple and it based on one simple, historical fact – whenever Heaven’y Father ups our game, Satan responds in kind.
Look at all of the many times that prophets and the Church was persecuted and maligned. Look at when the world has lurched towards destruction, evil, and hardship. All of them can be tied to a time when the Lord has commanded and counseled us to step up and be more than what we were. It is pretty much the same thing as I wrote about in Spiritual Tracer Rounds – as our light increases, so does satan’s attacks.
Very few prophets have made such radical change, for the good, in this world and for the Church than President Nelson.
We were all shocked and amazed at the advances he wrought within his first two years as prophet. He changed Church curriculum, learning styles, teaching styles, and oversaw the establishment of new self-reliance programs. He changed our worship format and put more responsibility in the home for worship and learning. He implemented changes to temple ceremonies and expanded service opportunities within the temple. He reoriented our paradigm to a more Christlike and Christ-centric focus. He has done all of this by revelation from our Heavenly Father. He has, in a sense, really altered the field of what it is to be a member of Christ’s church.
So why are going through this most horrific year?
Because Satan does what Satan does. As the members of the church increase the light of Christ and God in the world, Satan counters it with more darkness and evil. The problem is, God knows what Satan is going to do, but Satan, being the hyper-intelligent, but not smart guy that he is, forgets or ignores that his plans are also included in God’s. Satan is pitching a fit, throwing a tantrum, and he is winning converts from those that don’t understand or willfully reject the Plan of Happiness.
The sad part is some of those converts from Satan’s actions are members who been living the letter, not the spirit of the gospel. Some of those are people that question or reject our call to be better members. Some of those are people who poo-pooed our calling to make our homes sanctuaries by churching at home more often; who haven’t taken the lessons and teachings into our home to build sanctuaries as President Nelson asked us to do.
There is a lot of hate and anger right now, and that’s what our enemies, foreign, domestic, and spiritual want us to be. A nation – whether geographical or familial – cannot stand divided and cannot stand on a foundation of sand. The adversary is coming at us hard with subtlety. The adversary is using all of the same tactics but with different faces. He tells us that disobeying the law is OK, when we are commanded to obey the law of the land. It didn’t come with a caveat “if it makes sense to you or if you agree with it.” The adversary twists with lies and distortions to create a narrative or emotion, blocking reason, discussion, and reconciliation. The adversary tells you that you are either one thing or the other, both of which are lies and wrong.
The gospel is simple and straightforward. Racism is evil, period. But so is disobeying the law and assaulting the agents of law. A lack of humanity is evil, but so is wanton destruction and violence. Being locked down is hard and lonely, but so is dying in a hospital in isolation. Being restricted in our choices is frustrating and unfair, but so is condemning someone to death by ignoring health care recommendations.
The gospel gives us the foundation and materials for building a safe home and spiritual sanctuary. President Nelson has given us more advanced tools in preparation for these times. Because he has accepted and worthily put more responsibility upon us, he has increased the power and light of Christ in the world. Satan has responded and the war in Heaven is waging still here on earth. Be the Christian warrior we are called to be and use the tools that our prophet has given us, and join the fight for good and light. Be vocal in love and kindness. Anything less is waging war with the wrong side.
