Why is it that the first thing an angel always says is, “Fear Not.” Shouldn’t seeing an angel be the most beautiful, amazing, wonderful, delightful, inspiring, experience of one’s entire life?
In the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve hid themselves from God, Adam admitted that they were afraid because they were naked. The more complete truth, of course, is that they were afraid because they had disobeyed. Still, in our current much less innocent state, we should all recognize that there is no hiding from God. We are all “naked” to Him at all times.
Yet He still loves us, constantly and unconditionally. We are His children. He only wants what is best for us. So why do we fear?
If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31
In an unpredictable world of loneliness, deprivation, and suffering it is all too easy to be insecure, uncertain, and fearful. Knowing this, evil people have created an entire industry devoted to gaining power for themselves through the stirring up and exploitation of fear. Our scriptures warn us against this very thing.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
We must not be seduced by the temptation to get angry, or selfish, or resentful out of personal insecurity. We must not become intolerant or hateful because we think someone else is taking what is “ours.”
For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare;
Doctrine and Covenants 104:17
The Latter-day Saints, of all people, should be optimistic, forward-looking, and courageous. We have the restored Gospel, the “Good News” of Jesus Christ. This is no time to complain or look backward. We have a Zion to build!
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Sources: Ronald A. Rasband,”Be Not Troubled,” General Session, 188th Semiannual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, October 6, 2018.
John Bargh, “At Yale, we conducted an experiment to turn conservatives into liberals. The results say a lot about our political divisions.” The Washington Post, November 22, 2017.
Ari Rabin-Havt, Lies Incorporated: The World of Post Truth Politics, Anchor Books, April 2016.
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