Is there any need to fear when events in the world appear at times to be so horrific?
In today’s world, one only need pick up a local newspaper to read frightening news. Whether it is about a wheat virus threatening the world’s food supplies or whether the news report is about yet another war in another devastated area of the world, it could be enough to cause a heart to faint.
In fact, the Lord prophesied that during the last days there would be:
“…signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
“Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken” (Luke 21:26-27).
Jesus’ message though was (and still is) one of peace. Somehow He kept a true perspective of life’s events. These were His words He spoke just after prophesying that Peter would deny Him. In John 14:1 Jesus reassuringly stated:
“Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me.
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).
What was it about the Savior’s perspective that even in the midst of speaking about trials, He still spoke these words: “Let not your heart be troubled”?
Perhaps His vision was and is greater than ours? In fact, I’m sure it was (and is). He came to redeem us and to bring us back with Him to His Father’s kingdom from whence we’ve all come. This is the purpose for which we are here – to return having proven our love for Him and our willing obedience in all things.
We read in the Book of Mormon more of this purpose. For after all, it was the Savior’s purpose – to do the will of His Father. Perhaps if we kept this closer to heart and more surely snugged within our minds, our hearts might tremble less at the fearsome events surrounding some during these days. In Moroni 8:25-26 we read of our purpose:
“And the first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins;
“And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God” (Moroni 8:25-26).
Thus, when we read the newspapers and see that the news reports parallel so many scriptural prophecies of “last day” events, we can find comfort by following Christ’s ways. He was obedient to the Father; so too can we be obedient – even during these kinds of events:
“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
“Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:26-28).
The Lord has taught us that “heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away” (Luke 21:33).
