Pray for the virus....of FAITH!!

March 18, 2020

Well...I guess I spoke too soon on my last post. Nothing is 'back to normal' & I'm thinking perhaps this isn't such a bad thing. We've noticed that people around the world are being separated into categories & it's not a sifting of haves/have nots. It's more like the division is between people who are kind or unkind; patient & impatient; unselfish or selfish; thoughtful & thoughtless...the division seems to be based on a person's true character...or the lack thereof. 

The news media, Facebook & Youtube are filled w/stories, pictures & videos showing brawls in the shopping aisles; panic at Costco; people fighting over TP (of all things!)...it's crazy how fear makes people do things they wouldn't ordinarily do; behave in ways they would not have thought possible a short time ago. 

It's 'fear vs faith' I want to address in this post because it's a feeling/emotion we have all felt at one time or another & will most likely experience again. It's human nature to be afraid when things seem to spiral out of control & we have no idea when, or even if, our lives will ever be 'normal' again. And, according to prophecy, scriptures...the warning voice of God himself...there will be more woes to follow before the second coming of our Saviour. Earthquakes in divers places (hello, SLC!); famine; wars & rumors of war; pestilence...is it any wonder that 'men's heart's will fail them' in these last days? Should we be surprised that the Lord uses natural disasters to 'shake us mightily unto repentance'?

We have been warned & forewarned for generations to repent & turn our heart's towards God; to be obedient to the counsel of the Brethren in preparing ourselves & our families both temporally & spiritually for hard times; to warn our neighbors & share what we know with them so they can also prepare. I want to think that members of the Church have been listening to our Church leaders & are busy setting our houses in order...for when the time of trial has arrived, the time for preparation is past. 

Unfortunately, too many members are like Lot's wife & are tempted to turn back, because the world is simply too alluring. Others ignore the Lord's chosen servants...our Prophet & Apostles, who warn us of impending evils & the cunning ways of the Adversary. The proud & haughty wrongly believe that these wise men are fools; too old to be in touch w/what's happening in the world. But, the exact opposite is true. They don't worry overmuch about what is happening today...they've already given us plenty of warnings & direction for the now. It's the future they're attempting to prepare us for. As a friend recently said..."It wasn't raining when Noah got on the Ark."

The Coronavirus, while dangerous, is only one of many things which has happened & will continue to happen around the world...I choose to believe it's all preparatory to the Savior's return & am grateful for the test! It's a major wake-up call...am I prepared temporally...not just for myself, but for my neighbor? What more can I do spiritually in order to receive personal revelation for myself & my family? Where can I find peace in uncertainty? 

So...where do we find the answers? Who on earth knows what lies ahead? And what should we focus on when things seem to fall apart or those we love are far away & out of reach? The scriptures are clear. We look to the Savior & His Watchmen on the Tower. In a couple weeks we will have the opportunity at our General Conference to receive their counsel, comfort & instruction amid these uncertain times. Our beloved Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson has made the answer to these questions abundantly clear. 

This is who we should choose to place our faith & trust in...Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd; He is the Great Physician; He is the Saviour & Redeemer of all mankind. And they are prophets, seers & revelators for our day...instructed to call us to repentance & lead us to safety. Will we murmur like Laman & Lemuel & think what they tell us is too hard, too much of a sacrifice? Or will we be like Nephi of old...have faith then go & do?

Even with our limited contact w/our families, friends, church members & in our various communities, there are still ways to reach out...to be kind & considerate. People's hearts are troubled. They're seeking comfort & answers, but don't know where to find them. They are in need of reassurance & hope. What they really need is the good news of Jesus Christ. 

So, when we're out in the heat taking bread around town & drop by Sumo & Riana's home, they see our happiness & ask questions about why we're so far from home...especially now. When Irene & Phil find long lost family while doing family history...they want to learn more about where their loved ones are & if they'll see them again. When boys Elder Tate coaches in basketball are having a tough time at home & turn to alcohol, they listen when he tells them about the Word of Wisdom because they know he really cares. They trust him to tell them the truth.

We have a dear young woman who is learning about the Atonement & the infinite love our Father & His Son have for us. From almost the moment we walk through the door to teach her of this Plan, she tears up...yearning to know more about how to bless her little family. Her husband is less active, but he's a loving father & husband because he was raised that way. We have faith that through her example, he will feel a desire to return & receive eternal blessings in the Temple one day. 

Ok...time for some light-hearted fare for a moment. There's been some fun things happening around here. For instance, all of Karratha is atwitter because we now have a Hungry Jack's drive in!! (Burger King knockoff) No kidding....the first day was sooo crazy! We had to drive by twice to check out the lines they were so long. At least the planners gave plenty of space unlike the one for MacDonald's & especially KFC. 

The line actually snakes about another 30 cars back around the large building. It was nuts. But people like their take out here! They had people lined up getting in also & the help was out going up & down the line of cars taking orders...kind of like In n' Out. We'll give them a couple weeks before we go try it out...give them time to iron out all the kinks & get a better handle on the food prep/presentation. 

Night shot...crazy! 

Here's some of the young mom's at the church just before the shut down for a play date. We're so sad we can't meet at the church for awhile...hopefully not having meetings or activities won't last too awfully long. 

We had a 'Come & See' devotional planned for branch members to join their non-member friends to learn about who we are & what we believe. There were about 20 people coming, so it was very disappointing when we received news that all meetings/activities at the Church were to be cancelled. Understandable, but sad just the same. The good thing is several of these people have invited us into their homes to share what it is they would of learned at the meeting. We're also encouraging the branch families to continue talking & having small numbers of people into their homes. 

In times like these we are so very grateful for the understanding we have of our Father in Heaven's Plan of Salvation. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ & His perfect love, we can feel peace in our hearts & know we are held in the palm of his hands. Even when the world is in turmoil all around us we can receive the blessings of inner peace. In addition to feeling peace ourselves, we can be an influence for peace in our families, our community, & the world.

Our prayers are with you, our brothers & sisters...our children & grandchildren, family & dear friends. As the Savior said..."Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." 

Peace can come to all who earnestly seek the Prince of Peace. Of these things we bear witness...

Love to you all,
Elder & Sister Tate