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Showing posts with label fear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fear. Show all posts

Monday, January 20, 2025

Truth - Fear of Change

“Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don't belong”. 

Change is inherently frightening for many people. The truth often demands change, whether it’s a change in behavior, attitude, or understanding. Embracing the truth can mean acknowledging that certain aspects of our life need to be altered. This can lead to feelings of uncertainty and fear. The status quo, no matter how flawed, provides a sense of familiarity and security. The unknown, which often accompanies change, can be a source of anxiety.


People run from the truth because it threatens to disrupt their lives. It’s easier to continue living with comforting lies than to face the possibility of upheaval. The fear of change is a powerful motivator, leading people to resist the truth even when it’s in their best interest to accept it. Never fear the truth. It’s the comforting lies that will destroy you.

Accepting things we cannot change, acting with courage to change the things we can, and having the wisdom to know the difference is priceless. We have little power over the circumstances, seasons, wind, weather, and other things outside of our stewardships, boundaries, or jurisdictions assigned to us. We cannot change all
situations where other people are involved without their permission, labor, and toil, but we can individually change ourselves. Recognizing that we are not where we want to be, identifying a better place to be, and accepting the changes needed to get there is a good starting point. 

Change brings opportunity, but some people don’t like change until the alternatives bring enough disaster to their “journey of life” to cause at least a change of heart.

With enough pain, hearts are softened. Without a change of heart, we can’t change direction. If we refuse to change direction, it’s a pretty good chance we will end up where we are going. Life doesn’t get better by chance. It gets better by calculated change, which can appear to be “quick and easy” or “slow and hard”, but is usually cumulative and happens incrementally in perfect timing with essential repentance. God holds us accountable for our thoughts, our words, and our deeds. We are personally responsible for our actions.

… “Finally, there are countless ways to commit sin and I can’t possibly list them all. However, I can warn you that if you don’t remain vigilant and pay close attention to your thoughts, words, and actions, and if you don’t follow God’s commandments and maintain your faith in the Lord until the end of your life, you will perish. So please, remember this and avoid perishing!”  (Mosiah 2:6 CE)


“Now, my people, consider this: If you’ve experienced a change of heart and felt moved to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, Do you still feel that way? Have you been keeping yourselves innocent before God? If you were to die now, could you honestly say you’ve been humble enough, that your clothes have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ — who is coming to redeem His people from their sins?” …   (Alma 3:5 CE)


… “You’ve seen and know that all who are converted to the truth, abandon the wicked and perverse traditions of their ancestors, and are persuaded to believe the holy scriptures (the prophecies of the holy prophets written there), which led them to faith in the Lord and to repentance, which faith and repentance bring them a change of heart; therefore you know all of them are firm and resolute in the liberty God has given them.” …  (Helaman 5:15 CE)


Friday, April 10, 2020

An Amalickiah Virus

As I’ve watched what’s been happening in our country during this last month, I see an Amalickiah at work. His plan was subtle, and he started a war that lasted for years. Many people died including Amalickiah and his brother. We can expect similar results if we refuse to see what is happening today.

The story of Amalickiah can be found in Alma 21. For those of you who are not familiar with the story, I’ve included a brief synopsis at the end of this post. 

What are some of the lessons that we can learn from this story?

#1 POWER Amalickiah wanted power over all of the people and was willing deceive and murder to obtain that power. He flattered the lower judges and said they could also have power if they would help him.

Is there a world organization that is currently seeking to control the world? What is their agenda? What means will be employed to obtain their goal? Is the World Health Organization controlled by those who seek a one world government? Are they using the corona-virus to promote their agenda?  If they accomplish their goal, will it destroy the freedom of all nations?

#2 ALLIANCE  To accomplish his design, Amalickiah needed to unite the Lamanite army. He needed their cooperation and unification. He couldn’t accomplish his plan with his own strength. He hoodwinked the Lamanite king, Lehonti, and the Lamanite army. Many lost their lives because of their misplaced trust. 

Has this corona-virus united the liberals and conservatives? People who used to say “Over my dead body!” are now willingly and obediently submitting to martial law. 

#3 BAND WAGON The Lamanites’ love and affection for their king was used against them. Amalickiah blinded them when he rallied them together to chase after the king’s guards who had witnessed the murder. The gullible Lamanites were willing to chase after the king’s guards just because they were told that those guards were the murderers. Everyone else was doing it, so they followed the crowd without thinking.

Are we following the crowd? Are we looking at the evidence? Are we thinking for ourselves?

#4 IGNORING COMMON SENSE If the king’s guards wanted to kill the king, do you think they would do it right in front of the commander of the Lamanite army? If any one of the Lamanites would have looked at the situation with common sense, they could have easily guessed that the king’s guards did not kill the king. Also, did they think it was a little strange that Lehonti died shortly after becoming commander over the whole army? Did it raise suspicion when Amalickiah just happened to be second in command? 

What does your common sense tell you about the common flu and the coronavirus?

34,157 deaths in the United States due to Influenza 2018-2019
61,099 deaths in the United States due to Influenza 2017-2018
38,230 deaths in the United States due to Influenza 2016-2017
22,705 deaths in the United States due to Influenza 2015-2016
51,376 deaths in the United States due to Influenza 2014-2015
37,930 deaths in the United States due to Influenza 2013-2014
42,570 deaths in the United States due to Influenza 2012-2013

17,995 deaths in the United States due to Corona Virus 2020 (worldometers as of April10, 2020)

Most of the people dying from influenza every year are old. Coronavirus is following the same pattern.

#5 FEAR and FORCE Amalickiah put the obedient part of the Lamanite army in a situation where they feared for their lives. He counted on the fact that they would be willing to surrender to Lehonti because of their fear. 

Many people are motivated by fear. This corona-virus pandemic is propagated by people’s fears. People are willing to trade away their freedom because they are afraid. 

Here are the facts. . .

We’ve had over 16,205,600 deaths this year (as of April 10, 2020 worldometers). Only 100,450 of them are the result of corona-virus. For every 160 deaths in the world, one death is the result of the coronavirus. People die every day. There is no reason to be alarmed. Yet, people are paranoid and afraid. In their fear, they have easily submitted to martial law. 

#6 MEDIA and PROPAGANDA Forcing the Lamanites to go to war didn’t work, so Amalickiah built towers where he had men speak to them until they wanted to go to war. If you lie to someone long enough, they will start believe it.

Do you believe what you are hearing from the media? Are you allowing yourself to be sucked in by the propaganda? Why? Where is your evidence?

#7 FALSE COVER STORIES The Lamanite king trusted Amalickiah with the army and ended up dead. Lehonti trusted Amalickiah to be second in command and ended up dead. The queen believed the witness of those who had murdered the king and ended up marrying the murderer. The Lamanites believed Amalickiah’s words and many lives were lost in the war. 

What are the stories being told? Are they true? What’s really going on?

#8 DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE In his quest for power, Amalickiah did not care how many died. He was a murderer, but he pretended to care about the life of the one he had murdered.

Is this lockdown really about saving lives? Or is it about promoting an agenda? 

As of today there have been over 11,714,000 abortions in 2020. It doesn’t look like our world values human life.

Over 3,579,144 people have died of communicable diseases this year in the world. There have only been 100,450 coronavirus deaths. I don’t think this coronavirus  “pandemic” warrants the attention it is receiving.

Synopsis of the Story of Amalickiah:

Amalickiah wanted to be king, so he told the lower judges he would make them rulers over the people if they would help him be king.

When Captain Moroni heard what Amalickiah was doing, he tore off a piece of his coat and wrote on it, “In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.” He prayed to God for help. Then he carried this title of liberty throughout the land calling for the people to come and help protect their liberty.

The people came together and promised to obey God or be destroyed by their enemies. When Amalickiah saw Moroni's large army, he snuck away with those who would go with him. Moroni did not want them to go because they might convince the Lamanites to fight against the Nephites. Moroni’s armies were able to stop most of them, but Amalickiah escaped with a few of his men.

Amalickiah stirred the Lamanites up to anger until their king wanted to go to war with the Nephites. Most of the Lamanites refused to go to war and fled to the hill Onidah. They chose a man named Lehonti to be their leader. The Lamanite king told Amalickiah to lead the obedient part of his army and force Lehonti and his men to go to war.

Instead of obeying the king, Amalickiah made a deal with Lehonti. He said Lehonti's men could surround the king's army during the night. The king’s army would surrender, if afterward Lehonti would make Amalickiah second in command. Lehonti became commander over the whole army. Then Amalickiah had his servant slowly poison Lehonti. When Lehonti died, Amalickiah became commander of the entire army.

Amalickiah returned with the army. The king thought Amalickiah had done what he had asked him to do, so the king and his servants went out to meet them. Amalickiah's servants went and bowed before the king. When the king put out his hand to raise them, one of Amalickiah's servants stabbed the king to the heart, and he died. The king’s servants who saw the murder were frightened and ran away.

Amalickiah pretended to be angry. He lied to the army and said the king had been killed by his own servants. He encouraged those who loved the king to chase and kill the king’s servants. Amalickiah then went with those who had killed the king to speak with the queen. They lied to her about her husband's death, and Amalickiah married the queen. 
After Amalickiah became king of the Lamanites, he had men speak from their towers against the Nephites. He did this until he had hardened the Lamanites’ hearts and blinded their minds. This continued until they were angry and wanted to go to war. Amalickiah’s desire was to be king over all the land.

While this was happening among the Lamanites, Captain Moroni was preparing the minds of the Nephites to be faithful to God. The Nephite army built forts to protect themselves. They did not want to fight the Lamanites. But when the Lamanites would come to destroy their families, they would be prepared to defend themselves.

This time the Lamanites wore thick clothing and armor. They thought their large army could easily beat the Nephites. But they were afraid to fight the Nephites when they saw a high ridge of dirt around their city. The leaders of the Lamanites swore with an oath they would destroy the next Nephite city they came to.

The Lamanites were disappointed to find the next city was even stronger. Because of their oath, they had to attack. When they tried to go through the entrance or dig away the dirt, they were slain. After all their chief captains were dead, they went home. Amalickiah was angry with his people because he had not gotten what he wanted.




Saturday, March 21, 2020

Isaiah's Message of Peace in Troubling Times


For the first fifteen years of our marriage, we were concerned about food storage and physical preparation. We could see what was coming down the pipeline and wanted to be able take care of our family when the economy collapsed.

In 2007, we became very interested in the words of Isaiah. Avraham Gileadi's work really helped us understand what Isaiah was saying. Isaiah was my favorite choice of scriptures in those days. I read the words of Isaiah over and over. 

My heart was comforted, and I was at peace. Isaiah speaks of the sickness, famine, wars, natural disasters, and the tyrant that are headed our way. But amid all this, there is a message of hope. There is a group of people who will be gathered, and they will be protected by God.

When I saw this, I was motivated. I had a choice. I could experience total devastation, or I could come to the Lord for protection and peace. It was then that I told the Lord that I would do anything to be part of that group of people.

Isaiah's message is important. When Jesus comes to the Nephites, he talks about the words of Isaiah three separate times. Jesus tells us to search the words of Isaiah. He wants us to understand what is happening today. Jesus does not want us to be afraid. His arms are open, and we can come to Him and experience peace and joy in these troubling times. (see scripture references below)

It takes great effort and much prayer to understand what Isaiah is saying. But once Isaiah's message becomes clear to you, it could change your life. Nephi shared the words of Isaiah, so people would want believe in the Lord their Redeemer.

But that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer, I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.   1 Nephi 6:1 

We have just completed Book of MormonStories. It is a simplified, illustrated version of The Book of Mormon. If you find the words of Isaiah confusing, this simplified version of The Book of Mormon can help you understand Isaiah's message.

We are uploading one video chapter of Bookof Mormon Stories each day. There are 90 chapters in all. We just posted the first Isaiah chapter today. These Isaiah chapters are at the end of First Nephi. If we post one video each day, we will start posting the Second Nephi Isaiah chapters on Friday.

A Covenant of Peace - First Nephi 6 (1840 edition) - Isaiah 48-49




Scripture References noted above of Jesus talking to the Nephites about Isaiah:


Verily, verily I say unto you, thus has the Father commanded me, that I should give unto this people this land for their inheritance, and when the words of the prophet Isaiah shall be fulfilled, which say: Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice, with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God. 3 Nephi 7:7

And it came to pass that when they had all given glory unto Jesus, he said unto them, Behold, now I finish the commandment which the Father hath commanded me concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Israel. Ye remember that I spake unto you and said that when the words of Isaiah should be fulfilled — behold, they are written, ye have them before you, therefore search them — and verily, verily I say unto you that when they shall be fulfilled, then is the fulfilling of the covenant which the Father hath made unto his people, O house of Israel. Then shall the remnants which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth be gathered in from the east, and from the west, and from the south, and from the north; and they shall be brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God who hath redeemed them. And the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you this land for your inheritance. And I say unto you that if the gentiles do not repent after the blessing which they shall receive after they have scattered my people, then shall ye who are a remnant of the house of Jacob go forth among them. And ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many, and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through, both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. Thy hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off. And I will gather my people together as a man gathereth his sheaves into the floor, for I will make my people with whom the Father hath covenanted, yea, I will make thy horn iron and I will make thy hoofs brass, and thou shalt beat in pieces many people. And I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. And behold, I am he who doeth it. And it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that the sword of my justice shall hang over them at that day; and except they repent, it shall fall upon them, saith the Father, yea, even upon all the nations of the gentiles. 3 Nephi 9:7

 . . . For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression, for thou shalt not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near thee. Behold, they shall surely gather together against thee, not by me; whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work, and I have created the waster to destroy. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

And now behold, I say unto you that ye had ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently, for great are the words of Isaiah. For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel. Therefore, it must needs be that he must speak also to the gentiles. And all things that he spake hath been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake. Therefore, give heed to my words. Write the things which I have told you, and, according to the time and the will of the Father, they shall go forth unto the gentiles. And whosoever will hearken unto my words, and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things. 3 Nephi 10:2-4

Saturday, October 26, 2013

The Danger of Anger

In the English language, danger and anger are only differentiated by one letter. Why is anger so dangerous?

Power

We loose our power when we succumb to anger and fear.

There are two types of power. One is an everlasting power, the power by which God operates.
    No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile— Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; D&C 121:41-43

The other is a temporary, worldly power illustrated in the following definition:

Power: the ability or right to control people or things, political control of a country or area, a person or organization that has a lot of control and influence over other people or organizations Mirriam Webster 

When we choose to obey to the laws of God and obtain his power, “[our] dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto [us] forever and ever.” D&C 121:46

Those who choose to exercise unrighteous dominion or temporary power over the souls of others, will find their life riddled with insecurity, turmoil, and fear.

How is anger used as a tool of control?

The Book of Mormon teaches us how corrupt leaders use anger to control their people and promote their purposes. People who would normally be at peace one with one another allow themselves to be stirred up to anger by evil and conspiring men. These men are not concerned about their people; they seek for worldly power.
    3 Therefore he had accomplished his design, for he had hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred them unto anger, insomuch that he had gathered together a numerous host to go to battle against the Nephites.

We are taught how anger is used as a tool of the devil.
    19 For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish;
    20 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. 2 Nephi 28:19-20

When we feel ourselves stirred up to anger, we can know it is not of God.
    Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away. 3 Nephi 11:30

Warning: The following video is full of violence and anger. You will notice that violence and anger come from both sides. No one can claim to be innocent in the riots that ensue. Those who participate in the fighting bring bondage and destruction upon themselves.


    I have sworn in my wrath, and decreed wars upon the face of the earth, and the wicked shall slay the wicked, and fear shall come upon every man; D&C 63:33 

    But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed. Mormon 4:5

Who is in control?

“While we all like to believe we have the fortitude to stand by our own convictions during any situation, most of us tend to follow the behaviors of others. But what’s particularly strange is that when enough of us get together, we end up doing some really bizarre, nonsensical, and downright violent things that we’d never consider on our own. Psychologists refer to this phenomenon as herd or mob mentality, and when you consider the past and present, you realize it’s led to some major “What were they thinking?!” moments.” Top 10 Instances Of Mob Mentality 

Why I don't watch the news

I don't believe pretending all is well when it is not, but watching the news promoted by the mainstream media doesn't help solve the problems. The news is almost entirely fear based.
I find it interesting that the fearful are ranked right in with the liars, whoremongers, and sorcerers.
    Wherefore, I, the Lord, have said that the fearful, and the unbelieving, and all liars, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, and the whoremonger, and the sorcerer, shall have their part in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. D&C 63:17
Here are the headlines of Fox News October 26, 2013, 10:16 a.m. Are they fear based or faith promoting?

Latest News
How can we more easily be controlled when we are fed a daily diet of fearsome events? Why would someone want to promote anger and fear? How are these tools used against us?  What can we do?