determination

Some people think that if we choose the right that it means a life of smooth sailing. This is not necessarily so. Obstacles great or small can get in the way. Answers to prayer can be slow in coming. Faith forces us to make decisions based upon the teachings of Jesus and follow through with them even if it is difficult. We gain saving knowledge line upon line, because it is not handed to us on a silver platter. The result of this faith and struggle is a strong godly character.


"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 1 Nephi 3:7

Nephi was asked to do many difficult things. Because he loved God and had faith, he moved forward before he could see the final destination.During his life had to struggle with two obstinate brothers who sought his life, to obtain the plates of brass, to find food in the wilderness, to build a ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean, and to build a new society in a new land. Reading about his experiences and how he went about fixing problems, gives me hope about my own ability to receive help beyond my abilities. Struggling to move forward in life is not a bad thing.

"Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God. And they had been teaching the word of God *for the space of fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much success in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on his name and confess their sins before him. Now these are the circumstances which attended them in their journeyings, for they had many afflictions; they did suffer much, both in body and in mind, such as hunger, thirst and fatigue, and also much labor in the spirit." Alma 17:2-5


A loving father does not make life easy for his children else they are not prepared for adulthood and stay dependent little children. Likewise, our Heavenly Father knows the importance of struggle in the development of the human character. Along that same line, a righteous government would mot save people from the opportunity to handle their own problems, to make mistakes and correct them, to fail and succeed, to struggle to provide their own daily bread, or to plan for their twilight years. Politicians who propose welfare legislation that would prevent people from learning self-reliance, faith in God, and courage, is an evil servant.

We've seen in the US how the entitlement mentality and the welfare state have destroyed the family. Dependence on money from the government has undermined the responsibility fathers are supposed to feel to support their wives and children. Free day care has removed the natural feelings of love and nurture mothers are supposed to feel towards their children. It is so much easier to stand behind a cash register than stay home and care for unreasonable toddlers. Middle aged adults abhor the day their parents need old age care and push this responsibility onto the state. People spend with reckless abandon and do not prepare for their future.


" And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor." Moses 1:4

Welfare states attempt to feed the poor by a misguided system of force. They attempt to make things equal for all their citizens by stealing from the 'rich' and giving to the poor. They see themselves as modern day Robin Hoods, when in reality they enslave and steal until the rich are no longer rich, no longer can produce jobs, and no longer can support those who refuse to work. Just as Satan's plan to redeem all mankind through force was ill-conceived and selfish, you cannot force people in a society to do their part. Satan's plan was doomed because it allowed no room for growth or faith. In such a society the hard workers quit working. The lazy stay lazy. The people starve. The elite feast until the last morsel of bread is eaten.

While farming may be hard, I know many people who lived through the Great Depression on their farms. They worked hard and feasted at table. My grandmother saved flour sacks to make clothing. My grandfather ran his own general store.They were grateful for what they had, made do, did without, and were happy. After the money runs out for all the proposed entitlements, I have a difficult time believing that today's population would or could do likewise before starving to death.


"And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety? Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me." Alma 5:45-46

God will not simply answer our prayers if we do not determine a righteous course of action. He is not a crystal ball that will show us the way without attempting to think things through. Yes, some people have visions that direct their paths, but I don't believe these people receive such without first doing as Alma describes above: fasting, praying, considering, and finally receiving a witness.God sent us here to develop godly character, which cannot be achieved without struggling with faith and working to become self-sufficient.