Let Him Fight Your Battles

by Mrs. Smith on July 6, 2012

Sometimes bad things happen.

It could be a complete accident, something done by you or to you, something undone, something partially done, or an “act of fate,” as they call it.  Regardless of the cause, bad things are not fun.

Two days ago,

some construction equipment sparked some brush on fire.  It spread immediately to a nearby barn and from there to the Alpine mountainside.  It’s been a dry, dry spring and a hot, hot summer here in the desert of Utah.  There was no stopping this.

The National Guard was called in to help.  One could see planes and helocopters flying up and down, back and forth, trying to contain the blaze, dumping water and flame retardant and whatever else it is they do.

In just two or three hours it looked like a volcano or a bomb had gone off.  All this, *without* a great deal of wind to spread it.  I shudder to think what could have happened if there were.

I know there were a great many people working a great many hours to try to get this under control.  I don’t have any idea how effective they were, as the fire spread both north and south.  I’m sure they were doing some good – and it’s quite amazing to me that the only building lost in all of this was that barn – but from our perspective this fire was unstoppable.

Up one ridge, down the next; up one ridge, down the next.  It just kept going and going.

As it approached the canyon not far at all from our relatives homes, I couldn’t help but wonder where and when it would stop.  If it jumped that road that runs up through the canyon, there would be a great many homes in danger.  The whole place was as dry as a tinder box.

It is easy to despair when we see about us the moorings of society slipping. We must remember, however, that the Lord sent His Saints into the world “to be a light unto the world, and to be the saviors of men.” (D&C 103:9.) This is a time when “Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments.” (D&C 82:14.) The contrast between the Church and the world will be increasingly marked in the future, which contrast, we hope, will cause the Church to be more attractive to those in the world who desire to live according to God’s plan for us, His children.

It seemed like there was some part of me inside always grateful for the lack of wind, always praying God would bless and strengthen those firefighters, always on edge hoping that the wind wouldn’t change directions or pick up speed.

Parents also need to take a stand for all that is honest, virtuous, and praiseworthy. It is the responsibility of heads of families to support wholesome influences for their children in government, schools, in the home, in the neighborhoods, in stores, in local theaters. Parents have responsibility to see that freedom is preserved for their children, and that the present generation does not burden future generations with debt and wasteful extravagance. The gospel, the kingdom of God, can prosper only in an atmosphere of freedom. Every adult has responsibility in selecting government leadership, for as the Lord has said, “I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; … Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn. Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently.” (D&C 98:8–10.)

To be perfectly honest, I never once even thought there was a possibility of such a miraculous blessing as rain.  I mean, on Monday this was the forecast I recieved in an email from a family member:

As you prep for this weekend, please note that weather in Saratoga Springs expects to be low 90s (that’s a relief), partly-cloudy with a 10-20% chance of rain (comparatively humid). 

Happy Independence Day!

The sky was clear and hot on the 4th of July.  The fire was burning on the north side of the ridge right next to that road I was talking about.  It’s next move to the south would be down the ridge, up to the road.  I could hardly believe it had gone that far in just a day and a half.

Yes, there is a conspiracy of evil. The source of it all is Satan and his hosts. He has a great power over men to “lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken” to the voice of the Lord. (Moses 4:4.) His evil influence may be manifest through governments; through false educational, political, economic, religious, and social philosophies; through secret societies and organizations; and through myriads of other forms. His power and influence are so great that, if possible, he would deceive the very elect. As the second coming of the Lord approaches, Satan’s work will intensify through numerous insidious deceptions.

When I woke up on the 5th, however, my parents deck out back was wet.  “Rain?!?!” thought I, “No, it couldn’t be.  It’s probably just the sprinklers.”  I didn’t even walk up to the window to check, that’s how sure I was that it couldn’t rain in this dry, dry desert in July.

But it was rain.  It rained and rained all morning and into the afternoon before the sky came out again and the clouds dissipated.  About 2 hours after that, however, *more* clouds blew in from the opposite direction, made it all the way to the charred mountain, and poured down a quick shower yet again.

It made for an amazing sunset that evening.  I didn’t get a picture of this same scene an hour later when it was painted bright pink and purple, but I should have.  It was breathtaking.

That fire was toast.

Soggy, conquered toast.

To Latter-day Saints the world over, we say: Let not your hearts be troubled. Keep the commandments of God. Follow the counsel of his living prophet, taking care not to exceed the counsel with your own private views. Teach your children to walk uprightly before the Lord. Pray in your homes morning and evening. Pray for civil magistrates and leaders even when you do not agree with them. Pray for the leaders of the Church. Pray, as you have been counseled, that the doors of nations of the world will be opened to the preaching of the gospel. Obey the laws of your country; rebel not against civil authority. Do your duty as citizens. “Do not yield to the bad, but always oppose it with good.” (Virgil.)

And the sun came up this morning revealing a glorious lack of smoke, and air a great deal cleaner and clearer than it has been since we arrived last week.

Sometimes bad things happen.

Sometimes it seems like no matter what you do or how hard you try, it just doesn’t get any better and life is hard.

But don’t you quit!  You keep trying.  You keep working.  You keep praying and learning and you struggle through it the best that you can.

Joseph Smith, the prophet of this dispensation, declared: “It is our duty to concentrate all our influence to make popular that which is sound and good and unpopular that which is unsound.” (History of the Church, 5:286.)

We must ask ourselves: Are we doing all we can to actively participate in the preservation of our freedom in building an influence for positive good and resisting the flood of evil which threatens to inundate the whole human family?

 Some day the Lord will send a solution.  He will fight your battles.  His miraculous power is on a completely different level than ours.  As this beautiful post by my friend illustrates, you can be stronger than anything with your hand in His.

The days ahead will be sobering and will test the faith of the Saints. But we may obtain strength from the Lord’s assurances found in modern revelation. I quote:

“He will preserve the righteous by his power. … Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; … they shall be saved, even if it so be … by fire.” (1 Ne. 22:17.)

“I will fight your battles.” (D&C 105:14.) “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; … This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.” (3 Ne. 22:17.)

“Great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve.” (Moses 7:61; italics added.)

The kingdom of God will not fail; it shall not be destroyed; it will not be left to other people; it will stand forever until “the kingdoms of this world [will] become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ.” (Rev. 11:15.)

Hear the prophecy of the Prophet Joseph Smith:

“No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” (HC, 4:540.)

Christian denominations the world over have prayed for centuries for the kingdom of God to come. We earnestly and publicly declare: that day is now here!

Quotes are all from “May the Kingdom of God Go Forth,” by President Ezra Taft Benson, April 1978.

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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

Mama Rachel July 6, 2012 at 5:15 am

What an inspiring post! I’m so grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord that come, even when trials seem their bleakest. Thank you for your uplifting message today. 🙂

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Kris July 7, 2012 at 7:15 pm

The neighborhood that we almost signed a lease in was evacuated during that fire. Our old house was about 5 minutes away from being evacuated. I had been praying all week for rain but you know, sometimes you pray for things and think “that one probably won’t happen” (like when I pray for patience.) So when I heard the rain on Thursday morning I seriously thought a bird pooped on the window.

When Toby saw the rain he almost peed his pants. He was so excited for rain – he has been dying in the heat. He said “now tomorrow it will snow!” And what do you know – on Friday we went camping, and we had a hailstorm. Booyah.

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Cassandra July 12, 2012 at 7:37 am

I agree with Mama Rachel; what an inspiring post. 🙂 Thanks for sharing those quotes and Bible texts. God is so very good, even when we least expect it!

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