During the past 12 months, and even more so in the past 30 days, we have seen a constant barrage from the purveyors of news and information - fear and panic are sweeping the global capital markets and a serious recession, even depression, is upon us; society has fallen into a fractured and partisan state of liberal and conservative thought; contention abounds in the intellectual circles of society over social policy, and on and on... It is among the headlines of the day that we, at times, can be overwhelmed, distracted and even disillusioned with what the future holds. Some are even proffering that the end is near, having become consumed within the myopia of panic and fear. Many have become so debilitated by fear and panic that they have severely limited their capacity to function in the ordinary course. Even so, amid the tumult of it all, it is by patience with hope that we have the capacity to endure well.
We are a blessed and abundant people in that which truly matters, and in that which doesn't really matter. In spite of the doom and gloom prognosticators, we live in an abundant time! We live in a nation endowed by a loving Heavenly Father with freedom and capacity. We are an educated and capable people with tremendous resource and means. We live in a time foretold, and time when all things shall be fulfilled. We have Prophets in our day to guide, counsel and lead us. But to what end, and in what manner are we to live? The constantly shifting and situational standards of society would have us think that it was all about us. Contrarily, where much is given much is expected. Thankfully there is a constant and unified voice; the conjoining of the still small, but piercing voice of the Spirit and that of the Prophets who stand as especial witnesses of the Master. Be we members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or not, the messages from the Prophets have profound application.
It is an interesting exercise to study the recent spoken words of the Prophets and how they compare with the turmoils of today. Illustrated below is the text given by President Gordon B. Hinckley in October General Conference 2002:
"... I wish to mention is family home evening. We are fearful that this very important program is fading in too many areas. Brethren, there is nothing more important than your families. You know that. This program was begun back in 1915, 87 years ago, when President Joseph F. Smith urged the Latter-day Saints to set aside one evening a week devoted specifically to the family. It was to be a time of teaching, of reading the scriptures, of cultivating talents, of discussing family matters. It was not to be a time to attend athletic events or anything of the kind. Of course, if there is family activity of such a kind occasionally, that may be all right. But in the increasingly frantic rush of our lives it is so important that fathers and mothers sit down with their children, pray together, instruct them in the ways of the Lord, consider their family problems, and let the children express their talents. I am satisfied that this program came under the revelations of the Lord in response to a need among the families of the Church.
If there was a need 87 years ago, that need is certainly much greater today.
The decision was made that Monday evening would be devoted to this family activity. In those areas where there are large numbers of Church members, school officials and others honored the program and did not schedule events on that evening.
Now there appears to be a growing tendency to schedule other events on Monday night. We respectfully request that our public school officials and others let us have this one evening a week to carry forward this important and traditional program. We ask that they not schedule events that will require the time of children on Monday evenings. We are confident that they will realize that it is most important that families have the opportunity, at least once a week, to be together without conflicting loyalties. We shall be grateful indeed if they will cooperate in this matter. And we urge, in the strongest terms possible, that fathers and mothers regard most seriously this opportunity and challenge to make of Monday evening a time sacred to the family.
I have received not a few invitations to participate in community Monday gatherings of one kind or another. I have uniformly turned down these invitations with appreciation, but with the explanation that I have reserved Monday as family home evening time. I earnestly hope that each of you will do the same.
The next item.
...I wish to urge again the importance of self-reliance on the part of every individual Church member and family.
None of us knows when a catastrophe might strike. Sickness, injury, unemployment may affect any of us.
We have a great welfare program with facilities for such things as grain storage in various areas. It is important that we do this. But the best place to have some food set aside is within our homes, together with a little money in savings. The best welfare program is our own welfare program. Five or six cans of wheat in the home are better than a bushel in the welfare granary.
I do not predict any impending disaster. I hope that there will not be one. But prudence should govern our lives. Everyone who owns a home recognizes the need for fire insurance. We hope and pray that there will never be a fire. Nevertheless, we pay for insurance to cover such a catastrophe, should it occur.
We ought to do the same with reference to family welfare.
We can begin ever so modestly. We can begin with a one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months. I am speaking now of food to cover basic needs. As all of you recognize, this counsel is not new. But I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all.
Begin in a small way, my brethren, and gradually build toward a reasonable objective. Save a little money regularly, and you will be surprised how it accumulates.
Get out of debt and rid yourself of the terrible bondage that debt brings.
We hear much about second mortgages. Now I am told there are third mortgages.
Discipline yourselves in matters of spending, in matters of borrowing, in practices that lead to bankruptcy and the agony that comes therewith."
May we take note with the counsel given this past weekend, and with Hope, know the peace that can be ours; that we might be free of contention, fear and the consequences born in a society that defines good as bad and bad as good; that we might love and serve our families and neighbors; that we might be prepared in all things, temporal and spiritual. May we take comfort by abiding in obedience the truths taught of He who seeks only for our happiness and return to our Heavenly home, that we may know the peace and calm amid boisterous winds and stormy seas.
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