Cast off that Cloud of Darkness

 
One of the most beloved hymns among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet. Although it starts as expressing gratitude for having a living prophet today, the focus of the hymn is an expression of gratitude for many blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ that we might all enjoy today. The second verse of this hymn is one of hope, expressing faith in the Lord even in times of great peril or tumult:

Dark Clouds of Trouble

When dark clouds of trouble hang o’er us

And threaten our peace to destroy,

There is hope smiling brightly before us,

And we know that deliv’rance is nigh.

We doubt not the Lord nor his goodness.

We’ve proved him in days that are past.

The wicked who fight against Zion

Will surely be smitten at last.1

 All of us experience times of darkness in our lives. That darkness threatens to hide the light of Jesus Christ. It threatens to prevent us from seeing that light. I think about the Lamanites who witnessed Nephi and Lehi shining in the darkness. They wanted to have the "cloud of darkness . . . removed from overshadowing" them. At this time, Aminadad taught them to "repent, and cry unto [God], even until [they received] faith in Christ."2 He promised that the cloud of darkness would be removed from them. We can also have that same promise in our lives.

I have thought about this experience a few times in my life. These people were instructed to pray until they received faith in Christ. Often, we think that faith precedes prayer. We can strengthen our faith by turning to God in prayer, though. I am certainly grateful for this blessing that I have experienced in my life.

Jesu! the very thought is sweet!

In that dear Name all heart-joys meet;

But more than honey sweeter far

The glimpses of His presence are.

No word is sung more sweet than this:

No name is heard more full of bliss;

No thought brings sweeter comfort nigh,

Than Jesus, Son of God most high.

Jesu! the hope of souls forlorn!

How good to them for sin that mourn!

To them that seek Thee, O how kind!

But what art Thou to them that find?

Jesu, Thou sweetness, pure and blest,

Life's Fountain, Light of souls distressed,

Surpassing all that heart requires,

Exceeding all that soul desires!

No tongue of mortal can express,

No letters write His blessedness,

Alone who hath Thee in his heart

Knows, love of Jesus! what Thou art.

Alone who hath Thee in his heart

Knows, love of Jesus! what Thou art.3

The eternal nature of our testimony is one of the few possessions we can take with us when we leave this mortal life. We must remain valiant in our testimony. We don't have to do this on our own, however. We can rely on our Savior to strengthen and uphold us during those times of trouble and turmoil.

We have three steps we can follow to achieve this:

• Continuously learn of Him.

• Place our trust in him and not become discouraged.

• Ensure we meet our earthly trials well, place our faith in Him.

References

1. Fowler, William, and Caroline Sheridan Norton. “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.” HYMNS, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Salt Lake City, UT, 1985, No. 19.
2. “Helaman 5.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/hel/5?lang=eng.
3. Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint. “Jesus, the Very Thought Is Sweet.” Translated by J. M. Neale, Hymnary.org, https://hymnary.org/text/jesus_the_very_thought_is_sweet. 

 

 

Men's Hearts Shall Fail Them

Fear and Faith

In chapter 5 of first Nephi in the Book of Mormon, Nephi and his brothers return to their parents after traveling to Jerusalem. Sariah, Nephi's mother, was worried that during their time in Jerusalem, they had died and they would never come back. Conversely, Lehi, Nephi's father, knew that the boys would be able to do what they had gone to do. He also knew they would come back safely to them.

This is an example of what it is like to have an eternal perspective and understanding of the Lord's plan. Although Sariah probably had faith, she let her fears interfere with her vision of what would happen.

Faith guides us through turmoil

Our lives are full of ups and downs. When we are riding high on the good life, it is easy to keep a level head. However, when we are struggling through turmoil, it is easy to forget the Lord and worry about what may happen to us.

President Nelson recounted an experience he had on a plane and the different perspective faith brings to certain situations.

Although our life is going to have troubles, it is important to keep an eternal perspective and an understanding the Lord loves and cares deeply about each of us. Eternal perspectives are important at all times in our lives. We need to remember the Lord in the good times as well.

Prime Directive - Help Others

Sometimes those who go fishing,
come home empty handed

 We are all children of the same God. That is what I believe. As a nation, Americans are very individualistic. That is a great attribute in many ways; however, one problem that arises out of the individualism is that we tend to forget about our brother who might need our help. In fact, one of the issues some of my closest friends and family have with me is my desire to help those in need. They have suggested that the 'give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime' attitude should be strictly put in place. There is a problem with this approach. Sometimes, those who go fishing come home empty handed.

So, does the man starve because his labors bore no fruit? The Lord blesses us individually and disparately. I would not assume to understand why some have it easier than others. Some seem to waltz through life without a care while others work hard for mere scraps or less. My thoughts on this are that it is up to us, God's children to make sure that we all have things in common. My brother half-jokingly suggests that I am a pinko-commie. Of course, that doesn't reveal much about his understanding about the differences between communism and socialism.

Did Jesus break the bread and fishes and give only to those who would do with it as He expected? I mean, when he fed the thousands, he didn't pass over anyone that was there. It is my belief that if I am blessed with greater abundance than one of my brothers, it is my responsibility to associate those blessings as a responsibility to also care for my brother who is in need.