Tuesday, April 11, 2000

Alma 48:17 -- On Making a Difference

"Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men."
Alma 48:17


This is great stuff.  I've said before that if the scriptures teach us nothing else, they teach us the power of the individual to effect change... Moses, Noah... Lehi... and many many many more... they all changed the course of people's lives, found a promised land... started anew.  And Captain Moroni did too. He had to establish his on land where they already lived, there was no escaping and finding a better place... different, but the same impact.  King Benjamin... Mosiah... amazing examples of how one person can make a powerful difference for good in the lives of others. 

This morning a very good friend sent me an e-mail of the text of President Hinckley's address to the National Press Club.  Here is another such man... one that changes people's lives by his action and his example.  My question is... can *we* be that sort of person that we read about in the scriptures?  Can we be such a positive impact on the world and in the lives of the people around us?  I think we can.  It requires effort, it requires strength and dedication... commitment... but there is nothing we can't do with God's help. 

Instead of wondering what God can do for us today, and why he doesn't solve this or that problem... let's go for it.  Jump in and try to make a difference.  You know, I think that the reason that the scriptures teach that one person can make a difference is because that's what God wants us to do.  Make a difference.  And the more we persist in trying, the more God will bless us with success.  It isn't like it will happen overnight, and it doesn't mean there won't be roadblocks or chasms in our way... but we can blaze new trails and build bridges.  God *wants* us to be powerful influences for good... he *wants* us to change the world.  So, let's find a place to start, and go for it.  God is with us.

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