The popular TV/Movie series The Chosen does a very good job of portraying how many of the people of Jesus's time missunderstood the mission of the Messiah. Many believed that the promised Messiah would come to save the Jewish people from the political and economic difficulties of their day. As we know, that was not the case. In his encounter with the woman from Samaria at the well near the beginning of his ministry, the Jesus instructs
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again;
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water spring up into everlasting life . . . .
The woman saith unto him, I know that messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
John Taylor, the third President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints reported: "Some years ago in Nauvoo, a gentleman in my hearing a member of the Legislature, asked Joseph Smith how it was that he was enabled to govern so many people, and to preserve such perfect order; remarking at the same time that it was impossible for them to do it anywhere else. Mr Smith remarked that it was very easy to do that. "How?" responded the gentleman; 'to us it is very difficult.'
Mr Smith replied, 'I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.'"
(bold added. See Gospel Courses, Principles John Taylor, "The Organization of the Church," Millennial Star, Nov. 15, 1851, p. 339.)
For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfullness, the same is damned.
D&C 58:26-29.
Some of us may be hoping for the Messiah to come and save our country and our world from the political chaos that we currently see all around us.
Some of us may be hoping that our current leaders, legislators, judges and administration will somehow figure it out and make it all right.
Some of us may be hoping that our religious leaders will speak up and that the world will listen, and somehow everything will be all right. Our religious leaders teach us correct principles and are hoping that we will do our part to stand up for what is right and good and true.
I believe that the Savior will return to the earth and reign in righteousness, but I don't believe it will happen this week. Or this month. Probably not this year. We know not the day nor the hour.
I DO believe that our nation is lost and in trouble and I believe it is up to each of us to PAY ATTENTION to what is happening and to SPEAK UP. Call and write your Senators and Representatives. Right now Senators are considering more funding for ICE and CBP as they finalize spending bills for federal agencies before the January 30th deadline. If you've never contacted your public officials before, here's where to do that:
We have been sent to live on earth during these days. It is part of our test as to how we will act and respond to what is happening in our country.
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdome for such a time as this?
It's too late to say you didn't know. This isn't just about deporting criminals and the worst of the worst. It's about agents being ordered to meet impossible quotas. It's about insufficient and inadequate training for agents and officers. It's about agents being told they don't need to follow due process and can detain anyone based on "suspicion". It's about for profit detention centers lining the pockets of the rich. It's about White Nationalism and Racial profiling and the abuse of our consitution. Fellow Americans WAKE up and SPEAK up. Call your Senators and Representatives.
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