The End of America?

Lately I have lain awake at night many times, wondering if America would survive this election cycle. I have spent altogether too much time worrying about the America my children and grandchildren would have to live in. I have expressed these concerns openly. As I have seen Americans embrace socialist principles over the last couple of decades, I have been saddened, because socialism is the antithesis of the gospel of Christ. While Socialists preach of compassion and taking care of the poor, they embrace the element of force and compulsion to use other people's money to achieve their lofty goals. Imagine this: Jan and I gave more money to charity last year than Barack Obama and Joe Biden combined! Just think of the difference between 1) skipping meals voluntarily and giving the money to feed the poor and 2) having so much taken from you by force to feed the poor that you can hardly feed yourself. The first scenario is the result of love and leads to greater self control and spiritual growth, while the second has nothing to do with love and does not foster personal growth.

A half-century ago, in a classic exchange between two men on opposite ends of the moral and political spectrum, Soviet Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev bragged to Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson (an Apostle at the time), "Your grandchildren will live under communism!" To which Elder Benson enthusiastically replied: "If I have it my way, your grandchildren will live free!" Khrushchev fired back, "Oh you Americans! You're so gullible! We'll spoon feed you socialism until you're Communists and don't even know it. We'll never have to fire a shot!" Ironically, history has to some degree vindicated both men.

There is no question we are living in the Last Days. All the signs of the times are becoming obvious. We are in for some turbulent days ahead. So many times when we read the scriptures about our days, we are frightened by the words of terror and destruction and we miss the little words hidden within that should console us. The Lord does not want His people fearful – He wants us faithful. Look at the following from 2 Nephi chapter 1:

7 Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.
9 Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that they may possess this land unto themselves. And if it so be that they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them, nor to take away the land of their inheritance; and they shall dwell safely forever.
10 But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord… behold, I say, if the day shall come that they will reject the Holy One of Israel, the true Messiah, their Redeemer and their God, behold, the judgments of him that is just shall rest upon them.
11 Yea, he will bring other nations unto them, and he will give unto them power, and he will take away from them the lands of their possessions, and he will cause them to be scattered and smitten.

And what about these words from Moses chapter 7:

60 And the Lord said unto Enoch: As I live, even so will I come in the last days, in the days of wickedness and vengeance, to fulfil the oath which I have made unto you concerning the children of Noah;
61 And the day shall come that the earth shall rest, but before that day the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth; and great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve;
62 And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.

That sounds to me like the only real safety in the days ahead lies in personal righteousness and obedience to the Lord’s commandments.

Fear and faith cannot exist in the same person at the same time, so we must choose whether we want to be filled with fear or faith. I was impressed with the words of Hugh Nibley when I read the account of his experiences in the D-Day invasion of France. He was among the first ashore in that invasion, but he was not afraid. He viewed his entire war experience with this belief: it does not matter what becomes of me; it only matters what I become. As we watch the unfolding of events that we have known for years would unfold, we must not be afraid. They are signs to us that the Great Event that we profess to look forward to is just around the corner. Let us have faith in God, come what may. I am going to cease worrying about America, even if I can’t stop caring.

Let's all hold on to each other until this roller coaster ride comes to an end.