Consider

by Terri Wagner

A friend suggested I read Philippians 4:6-7 with all the LDS footnotes available and answer this question: Is this why the church continues to admonish us to be happy, don't worry, plow forward?

Interesting isn't it? How many of us are truly well and happy?! In some ways, yes I am. But when I contemplate the state of the world, and my country in particular, I'm not feeling the joy. I feel more like Mormon. He saw the end of his people, the literal end and the spiritual end, and could do nothing much but try to defend them knowing it was not going to work. I want to be like him. Strong, courageous, fight-to-the-end kind of person. And fortunately I am wired that way. But I also keep thinking, we are better than this. We have so much to help us get and stay on track. How can we be so blind? Collectively speaking now.

I keep cringing thinking one day someone will say to me: you had the wisdom of the ages, the fullness of the gospel, all at your fingertips, and still you could not get it right?! And I can only hang my head in shame. Again collectively not individually.

This past December when I read the Book of Mormon in a month, I started thinking about the Anti-Nephi-Lehis also known as the Ammonities. If I read it correctly, they never strayed once they had accepted the gospel. So even though the Nephities fell, they didn't. In fact at one point it mentions they even prospered. So it can be done!

So I present the challenge to you. How do we stay upbeat and positive watching our world fall apart? Any ideas?