Face the Future with Faith

I cried last night.

Not entirely because of who won as our president, I've never been that emotionally involved in politics.

I cried because of other issues being passed in my own state and in the country.  Issues that open the door to further, more troubling decisions that will come up in the lives of my children. 

I cried as I thought of the hardships that will come their way as they continue to grow and raise their own children. 

I cried at the thought that I need to set my feet more firmly on the ground defending not only the sanctity of marriage and the family, but also the upcoming struggles that will come regarding religious freedoms. 

In his conference address from April 2010, Elder Russell M. Nelson stated something that has really stuck with me since, "Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord 'shall suffer persecution.'  That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives (emphasis added)."

Of course, after tears are shed I need to turn back to my own faith.  Last night in our family prayers I expressed, "Please bless those still voting with inspiration to vote for the leader who will help lead us in establishing Thy kingdom."  When I said that, I was not referring to the Mormon candidate alone.  I believe I was simply asking the Lord for my own heart to be willing to accept that the man elected would be who the Lord needed to prepare His people for His coming.  Persecution and destruction will be inevitable in the final days.  We need to be prepared.

And so, I leave with one more message from Elder Nelson, a thought about the faith we must build as we get closer to the day of the Lord's coming. 

"...we do not need to let our fears displace our faith. We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith.   

Start with your children. You parents bear the primary responsibility to strengthen their faith. Let them feel your faith, even when sore trials come upon you. Let your faith be focused on our loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach that faith with deep conviction. Teach each precious boy or girl that he or she is a child of God, created in His image, with a sacred purpose and potential. Each is born with challenges to overcome and faith to be developed (emphasis added)."

Again I say, God Bless America!