I admit—I’ve developed a pessimistic view of America’s future in recent years. When the twin towers went down on 9-11-2001, I was amazed at the way American’s responded. Everywhere I looked people were flying our flag; in their cars, houses, and businesses. When President Bush went before congress for a televised speech it was a God touched moment. I felt it, as did many others.
Peggy Noonan, wrote:
“I find myself thinking in mystical terms of President Bush’s speech to Congress and the country, and I know from conversations with many people that I am not alone. It seemed to me a God-touched moment and a God-touched speech…” (God is Back, Friday, September 28, 2001, Wall Street Journal).
We were united for a moment, but then, we quickly forgot. When I saw this occurring I started to be discouraged. And then I observed an era of discord sweep over America as we sought to confront our enemies in Afghanistan and Iraq.
When I read the Book of Mormon and the warnings to America contained therein, I feel a deep concern for our country, our future, and our children ( Ether 2:7-11).
I’ve been making this a matter of prayer and fasting for awhile asking for guidance in preparing for what appears to be some difficult days just ahead for America. Recently I purchased a book, America in Peril—Ten Stages in the Destruction of a Promised Land, by Douglas E. Brinley. The title alone is discomforting, I assumed my state of pessimism would be confirmed as I began to read it. It was for first 200 pages. However, in chapter 14, America’s Hope, I was surprised as the author brought up some very important points that lifted my hopes for America. He pointed out something I was aware of, but haven’t focused on enough, “The sermons of recent presidents of the Church project an optimism that can only come through inspiration and revelation.” Brother Brinley quotes from the previous 5 prophets (President’s Lee, Kimball, Benson, Hunter, and Hinckley) and then summarizes their message as follows:
“The possibility of good news appears to be grounded in “if” clauses. If the Latter-day Saints follow their prophets, if divine laws embodied in constitutional principles are upheld, if the Church’s youth rise above the gross evils of immorality and continue to serve missions, if temples and temple work are used to redeem the dead, if the members of the Church live the principles of the gospel, share the message of the Restoration, marry in the temple, and so forth, then the judgments of God will be delayed (1 Nephi 22:17-20, 26), or the Saints will be preserved in the midst of the gathering evil. And if the honest in heart among the Gentiles, who fear God and understand biblical principles, respond to the message of the Restoration and join in the effort to restore decency among the people, there is hope for the future of our society. Latter-day Saints, obviously, have no small role to play in this winding-up scene. We must be models, individually and as families, to lead the Gentiles back to a state of goodness. We must light the way out of the present moral abyss and set this nation back on the path of righteousness. If this can be done in sufficient numbers, this nation will survive the severe tests and challenges that lie ahead.” (Page 222)
Summary
One day the prophet might be inspired to warn America in no uncertain terms—to repent or perish, but that day hasn’t come yet. The message of the prophets is that the Lord will continue to bless and preserve America because of the righteousness of Latter Day Saints and other good people who occupy this country. That doesn’t mean we won’t have some severe difficulties, but the Lord will not abandon America as long there is sufficient numbers of righteous people (Alma 62:40).
If the Latter Day Saints will do their part, then there is hope for America.
I think the greatest danger we face, especially for Latter-day Saints, is defining what is good and what is evil. When we can’t decide that, then how can we improve when we can’t agree what to fight or protect? For that matter, what methods should be used? Reading an argument ifwe should even be concerned is disheartening. The fight about gay-marriage shows exactly how divided the membership can be. Right now I would say the strongest fault line is about how to reconcile “If the Latter-day Saints follow their prophets, if divine laws embodied in constitutional principles are upheld . . .”
Jared,
But there is where you get into the major problem. Iraq was not our enemy.
Excellent points here. There’s a lot of hope in that little word “if”, isn’t there?
I’ve been thinking a lot on this matter too.
“One day the prophet might be inspired to warn America in no uncertain terms—to repent or perish, but that day hasn’t come yet.”
Actually, I think that was the whole point of the Restoration–to preach the message, in no uncertain terms, that all of us must repent or perish.
In 1841, the Prophet Joseph was instructed, with the 12, to issue such a proclamation to the kings and presidents and to all nations (which would include the U.S.A.) of the world inviting all to repent before the great and dreadful day of the coming of the Lord. D&C 124:1-10.
Joseph was still working on the proclamation when he was assassinated, but after his death the 12 did issue the proclamation in 1845. Extracts of the proclamation may be read at http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Proclamations_of_the_First_Presidency_and_the_Quorum_of_the_Twelve_Apostles (I have not located an on-line copy of the entire 16 page pamphlet.)
President Benson, while president of the 12, quoted much of that proclamation and repeated the warnings to repent or else. Among other things, he emphasized, “But if you refuse to repent or to accept the testimony of his inspired messengers and unite yourselves with God’s kingdom, then the terrible judgments and calamities promised the wicked will be yours.” Ezra Taft Benson, “A Message to the World,” Ensign, Nov 1975, 32
Accordingly, I think that the message to America (and to the rest of the world) to repent or perish has been given repeatedly and continues to be part and parcel of our preaching and teaching since the restoration.
(I would note that the end of the Proclamation on the Family also includes such explicit warnings, although, interestingly its only mention of “repentance” is part of a list of principles for successful family life.)
Jettboy–
I agree with you. The Lord has told us the value and importance of being united and willing to follow the prophets. I sure hope Latter Day Saints will realize the critical place we have in the destiny of America.
Dan–
It’s always a pleasure to read your comments.
Iraq certainly has been a point of contention and will continue to be for years. Our leaders, President Bush, and congress make the decision to invade. It will be interesting to see how history will look back on this as the passing years put things into perspective.
David H–
Thanks for your comment; and providing the link. You made some important points.
When I wrote the following I had the Book of Mormon prophets in mind as an example of will take place if the Lord inspires the prophets of our day to warn America as the Book of Mormon prophets were instructed.
“One day the prophet might be inspired to warn America in no uncertain terms—to repent or perish, but that day hasn’t come yet.”
So far we haven’t seen the prophets give “in your face” calls to repent to America in the fashion of a Samuel the Lamanite, or the Helaman 10, prophet Nephi.
Using a Richter scale analogy, I suppose we’ve hit a 3, what I had in mind would be a 8 or an 9.
I hope America will never require the Lord’s prophets to issue that level of warning, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a 5 or 6 in this generation.
Jared,
I merely point out that you decry the lack of unity that was evident right after 9/11. I tell you the reason it went away was because Bush went into Iraq. That, for the foreseeable future, divided our country. He squandered the goodwill that happened after 9/11. And that is how history will remember him.
Michaela Stephens–
I agree. My most recent reading of the Book of Mormon left me with the thought that the Lord was willing to bless the Nephites until they completely rejected Him–with knowledge (unbelievable).
PS
My spam filter pulled your comment for some reason. Just saw it.
Jared-
We have not been promised that we’ll get a Samuel style “in your face” warning from the Lord have we? As far as my reading goes, the world descends into further and further darkness-even as the Saints begin and build New Jerusalem. Everything has its opposite. Members of the LDS Church might become extremely righteous, but wickedness will respond with equal intensity. There is not even one prophecy in our scripture that describes this nation turning away from the moral abyss, much less being put back on a path of righteousness-at least not until after the Second Coming.
The Lord comes again as a thief in the night-which doesn’t bring to mind sirens going off and bullhorns blaring warnings. The scriptures tell us that the meek and faithful will be watching for the signs, and will be preparing their lamps with oil-while the rest will be eating and drinking, marrying and working in the fields “as usual” when the Bridegroom returns.
I guess I just don’t anticipate the Brethren issuing any further warnings than the ones we’ve already received. 10 virgins-5 were wise, 5 unwise. If they had all known exactly the hour of the Bridegroom’s arrival, they all would have had enough oil.If we are to be likened to that parable, we should be ready NOW for what might not happen until LATER.
Real hope is not to be found in America, but in Christ. We are not the way to righteousness, He is. Not America, nor the Latter-day Saints can establish peace in this world, but He will. The days of tribulations and sorrows are just beginning…but if we are among the elect, those days will be shortened (meaning the end will come faster)for our sakes.
SisterofJared–
A few thoughts to go along with what you said.
The prophecies of events before the second coming of Christ paint a picture of heartache and sorrow. The Gentiles, and particularly America, will play a pivotal role. As you pointed out the New Jerusalem needs to be built in here; it appears it will be built after a great destruction has befallen America because of wickedness.
Additionally, Nephi said: …and never hath any of them been destroyed save it were foretold them by the prophets of the Lord. 2 Nephi 25:9
This opens up the possibility of prophets warning and proclaiming the need for repentance to a people who will reject them, persecute and even kill them.
The wicked will suffer the Lord’s wrath at His coming; the righteous will be preserved.
The coming of the Savior to the people of the Book of Mormon is an example of what will happen at the second coming of Christ.
I certainly agree that Christ is where our hope resides.
Thanks for commenting.