Our blog has really become a travel blog. Because of the nature of our work in the temple, there is not a lot to talk about. However, we have had a lot on our minds lately, and we want to express some of our thoughts. Since we are on a mission for our God, they will be faith based thoughts, so if you have no interest in what we have to say, you may stop reading at this point. But I hope you will not, because we love you, and want you to know where we stand. We would consider it a great gift if you would share our thoughts with our grandchildren, who typically do not follow our blog.
We have felt somewhat distressed lately at the happenings in our country, in our family, and the world at large. One of the things that has really upset us is the attitude that is prevalent today, that those of us who hold God in esteem, and want to follow his laws, should be silenced. We have been pondering why the thought of God should be so upsetting, or offensive to those who do not share that belief. We really cannot wrap my heads around that popular stance. All that is offensive to God, and those who believe in Him is never considered. Our right to practice our religion, and our freedom of speech is being so chipped away that it won’t be long before those of faith are not permitted to be part of “acceptable” society. This is a very dangerous trend.
What has distressed us the most is the feeling that these things cannot be spoken of now among our own family. Among all three generations (ourselves and our siblings, our children and our grandchildren, nephews and nieces) where there used to be a united faith in God, there are now those who not only believe there is no God, but are offended by those who still have their faith.
“There is no God.” We cannot conceive of this idea. We are aware that the trend in our family is beginning to weigh heavily on the side of being Godless. We would like to understand this, but we truly cannot. It has been said that we are no more than any other mammal on the planet, and that we have no soul. They say when our bodies are laid in the grave that is the end of our existence. That would also mean that we have no purpose. That we have no cause to progress. This really dumbfounds us.
Show us an animal that writes symphonies, that builds skyscrapers, and puts themselves on the moon. Show us an animal, any animal, that can communicate with other animals on the opposite side of the world, or even in space. Show us an animal whose species draw together world wide to support one little girl stuck in a drain pipe, or a group of men trapped in a mine, or responds to an earthquake or a tsunami in a far away land. Show us animals who sacrifice what is theirs to give to others they have never met, and will never meet. Show us other mammals who try to elevate, and inspire. Show us an animal who writes poetry, and creates great artistic masterpieces. We reason, we learn, we teach, we comfort, we love, we laugh we cry, and we care. We create conveniences to make our lives easier. Then we take that time we have saved and give service to others. Our bodies are mended by those of us who are skilled at the practice of medicine. We replace arms and legs, and kidneys and hearts. We organize. We vote. We pay taxes. We create good, and we create evil. We make wars, and we make peace. We have standards that we hold society to. We advance and better ourselves, or we destroy our lives and the lives of others, but we never stay stagnant.
It is easy to see the advancement of humans over the last 200 years, but we do not see the advancement of animals. A cow is still the same as a cow 2,000 years ago. It has not learned how to better its life. It does not build itself a shelter, and gather with its family to see how they can best help each other. It doesn’t organize to help their fellow cows. A dog is still a dog, and an elephant is still an elephant. They are all mammals that have not advanced one iota in thousands of years. There are plenty of so called intelligent animals, but they do not progress in any way that improves their lives, or the lives of others or gives them significant purpose as man.
We humans strive to control ourselves for the betterment of society. We try to put off what is natural (selfishness) for what is good. We police ourselves in order to better our society. We sacrifice our lives for home, nation, friends and family.
We do not believe for one moment that this, the human condition, is a freak of nature. If this were so, and there were no God, we would not be capable of rising so far above what is “natural.” They say, “Prove there is a God.” We say, “Prove there is not.” We see the proof of God all around us. Why would anyone fight to prove He does not exist? So they do not have guilt? Guilt is another human quality that animals do not have. Why is that so? And why should we have any code of behavior if we are mere animals seeking only our own desires? If nature is so great, why do we not all go natural, and seek only our own pleasure and comfort?
There have been people since the beginning of time who are “natural” and only seek their own pleasure. They are called tyrants, murderers, rapists, bullies, sociopaths, warmongers, thieves and liars. There have also been people since the beginning of time, who seek to elevate, inspire, achieve, learn, grow, serve, and progress, They are called heroes, teachers, parents, leaders, friends. These are the people who have always outnumbered the pleasure seekers, the tyrants. Are we now coming to a time when the tyrants and bullies will outnumber the heroes? Will those who try to inspire, give hope, give love, and do good be mocked and ridiculed? Will those who try to stand for something better be shouted down and silenced? Will those who have sunk to base actions pull down those who seek to rise above?
We hear so much these days that Christians are not behaving in a Christian manner. This is usually said by those who do not believe in Christ, and have no idea what Christian behavior is. We love all people, and believe in being kind to all people. This does not mean that we must support their bad behavior. It only means we do not hate or be unkind. We forgive. That does not mean that we support their bad behavior, or take away the consequence of their actions. It means they no longer hold us hostage in our hearts and minds. We elevate. This does not mean we elevate bad behavior, and make noble what is not noble. We judge, and this is a good thing. We choose between good and evil, and that requires a judgment. We have no right to judge the person, but we have every right to judge the behavior. We sin. We repent. We try, and we try harder. While Christ loved all people, he did not accept the sin. He said, “Go and sin no more.” He said, “Come follow me.” He set a standard and He sometimes braided the whip.
Those who are against these good things shout loudly. They intrude on the lives of believers daily. They insist that we not only tolerate their choices, but we participate with funds or actions and turn our backs on our beliefs. They say participate or lose your business. They demean everything good and try to elevate everything bad. If we try to defend ourselves we are shouted down and an organized gang of thugs bully, silence and destroy. They say, if we are offended, don’t look. But they insist on tearing down a cross or a plaque that they need only look away from.
We stand for something. We stand for goodness, for self control, for kindness, and for standards. We stand for looking up instead of looking down. We stand for choice AND accountability. We can love without condoning. We can forgive without accepting the behavior. We can be kind without embracing the bad.
We stand for hope. Hope, that all things lost will be restored. That our sweet Brenda will walk on her own and her beautiful voice will ring out once more. Hope that Benjamin, Isaac and Nash will walk among us and we will hold them close. Hope that our parents will be restored to us. Hope that we will one day live in peace. Hope for justice. Hope for forgiveness. Hope for understanding. Hope for knowledge. Who would be happier without hope?
We believe that there is nothing that God cannot accomplish. We accept that He is greater and wiser and knows all things we cannot begin to understand. We believe that “all things are done in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things.” It is not a blind faith or an ignorant faith. It is faith that has grown from a lifetime of experience. It has grown by the miracles we have seen, by the comfort we have received, the covenants we have made and kept, and by the knowledge we have gained. These things cannot be explained away, or forgotten or denied. We will not bend to those who ridicule, demand, belittle, mock, criticize or persecute. We cannot change our belief in order to make others more comfortable.
We pray that our children and grandchildren will stand for something. That they will choose wisely what they stand for. That it will be uplifting and good. That they will consider carefully the causes they choose. Does it improve us as a society, or does it just lower the standard in order to be inclusive? Whatever you choose, know that we love you and cherish you. We hold you close to our hearts. Your joys are our joys and your sorrows are our sorrows. We pray you will feel the same towards us.
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