Monday, August 24, 2015

D&C 38:30 -- On Preparation Precluding Panic

"I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear."
Doctrine and Covenants 38:30


I especially like the last phrase of this verse: "if ye are prepared ye shall not fear."  The whole verse, and whole section, is God trying to prepare a people for the future, and that continues every day, and in our lives individually.  God is working to prepare us for what comes next, as we work our way towards the happy ending.  And, no matter how scary the monster is in the next chapter, if we are prepared for it, we don't need to fear it.  In a world where we hear frightening things every day, and where we are already desensitized to the fear in others, this is an awesome promise.

Today, let's pray and talk to God about how we can prepare ourselves for the next chapter.  Let's treasure up wisdom and learn everything we can from other people, the world around us, and our individual experiences.  Let's read our scriptures and learn the word of the Lord.  Let's write down what we learn to enlarge our memories... and then, when the inevitable monster comes in this next chapter, there won't be any panic.  There will just be the calm doing of whatever needs to be done.  Whether it is fighting, running, building a monster zoo, or talking the monster into being a friend.  Doesn't really matter because whatever is appropriate in this instance, with God, we can be ready for it.  Let's deal with the monster and move on to the next chapter, where we will learn even more... and don't worry.  Preparation works on everything.  Sea monsters, paper cuts, alien invasions... God has us covered.

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