It seems like lately not a week goes by that we don’t hear about another major earthquake somewhere in the world. Add to it the Icelandic volcano and it’s enough to make you wonder if the end is near. Hollywood has long shown us its version of the end of the world with endless disaster movies. I was looking through a catalog the other day and almost every new movie they had was a disaster film.
With all the natural disasters occurring, it makes you wonder if what movies have shown us for years is about to become all too frighteningly real. Recently in the movie 2012, the roads and buildings seemed to disintegrate around the people running for their lives. Other films blame a specific natural phenomenon for the destruction such as a volcano, earthquake, flood, and of course the ever popular meteor or asteroid about to hit earth. There was even a TV mini-series last year about an asteroid hitting the moon and breaking off a chunk of it which resulted in all kinds of problems on Earth.
Prophets and apostles have told us for years, decades even, to prepare for what may come. Their vision of the future is far more optimistic than Hollywood would have us believe. We have a prime example in 3rd Nephi. The earth shook and there was massive destruction. Darkness covered the land for several days. And then there was a soft comforting voice. Those who had survived came out of their hiding places and had a marvelous experience with the Savior. I like this vision a lot better.
We are told that if we are prepared we will have nothing to be afraid of. What that means is we need to listen to our leaders and follow their council. Get our food storage and other emergency preparedness items in order. Have a plan with our families as to what we’ll do and where we will go if disaster should strike. And then, go forward with faith. Live our lives as best we can according to what Heavenly Father would have us do. And then if and when the big one strikes there will be no fear, no regrets. Instead there will be the peace the Nephites felt when they heard the soft voice of the Lord.
I agree wholeheartily with this message. I am concerned with what is happening today, but don’t fear, because we are working hard to be prepared as we receive the council from our leaders.
I like the vision of the Book of Mormon better than the vision of Hollywood, too! The Savior has said, “Be not troubled, for, when all these things [the signs] shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled” (D&C 45:35.) We don’t need to be scared, as long as we have prepared spiritually and physically, to the best of our ability.
Thank you! It just helps when someone else says out loud what you were thinking to be true. Things are happening all around us and I, for one need more “oil in my lamp”. May our world be blessed, but if it is not, may we be ready in deed.
We need not fear if we are prepared. We need to live each day as if it could be our last. It may be. If not, we can continue our lives with the inner peace that only our faith can bring.