Because we live in the United States of America, we can be forgiven if we do not fully appreciate the agony of those who are living in war-torn countries around the world. I will not undertake a complete listing of those countries, but suffice it to say there are many right now.
Perhaps top of the list might be the 3½ year-old conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The principal leaders are Putin and Zelenskyy, neither of which has shown a willingness to consider peace. In the meantime, lives have been lost on the battlefield.
The Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, escalating a conflict that had been simmering since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. Initially, Russia aimed for a swift takeover, but Ukrainian resistance, supported by Western military aid, halted major advances. Over time, the war has evolved into a prolonged and grinding conflict, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Russia has captured some territory in eastern Ukraine, while Ukraine has conducted counteroffensives with mixed results. Diplomatic efforts have stalled, and recent reports indicate that the U.S. and Russia have discussed potential resolutions to the war without Ukraine’s direct involvement. Meanwhile, military aid and financial support from Western allies, particularly the U.S., continued to play a crucial role in sustaining Ukraine’s war effort.
And then Trump said, “Enough,” and foreign aid from the U.S. ceased. Europe has stepped up to some degree to assist in opposition to Russia’s naked aggression, but now Putin and Trump have concluded a private meeting in Alaska on Friday, to be followed by a meeting tomorrow in Washington between European leaders and Trump. The rhetoric is extreme, and truthfully none of us can decipher what is really happening. Trump is positioning himself solely as the mediator, because as he said, “This isn’t my war.”
The loss of over a million lives needlessly is what is most troubling in my heart and mind. All of this high-stakes drama on the world stage is causing uncertainty and a high degree of speculation, depending upon where one turns for news.
We have almost become numb, I believe, to the rumors of wars and the actual wars. It has become a commonplace piece of our existence. The closest I ever came to war was the Vietnam War during my era as a young man. In those days I read D&C 87:2:
And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning at this place. (Kirtland, Ohio).
That was not comforting news to me as a young man who had hoped to establish a temple marriage and a family. It disrupted my plans. I was not assured of anything, but my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ sustained me through that period of doubt, as it will for all of you.
Now a new generation faces similar challenges. Will Donald Trump be successful in mediating between the warring factions yet again? The pundits and the talking heads on all the media platforms continue their diatribes in full force. I frankly cannot tune in for all the commentary. I am reveling instead in the knowledge of my faithful posterity, many of whom are enlisting in the service of the Lord as missionaries in their far-flung assignments.
The latest to join the ranks is Jonny, who received his endowment yesterday in the Payson Temple. I was told he selected that temple because it was the first temple open house he attended and he said he would one day return to engage in temple work himself when he was older. And so he did!
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| With Elder Jonny Bayles Yesterday |
The world may be in turmoil all around us, it is true, but in the House of the Lord there is peace and solemnity of soul.
I pray for all the peacemakers in the world, including Donald J. Trump. He seems to be transcending politics as usual. I pray others may follow his example in seeking peaceful resolutions to their conflicts. I say all of this knowing full well that the world will continue to pursue war on a widespread scale as prophesied. Nevertheless, we can CHOOSE peaceful resolutions whenever we can.
While I waited briefly for the session to begin yesterday, my pages in the Book of Mormon landed on these verses:
And now it came to pass in this year, yea, in the two hundred and thirty and first year, there was a great division among the people.
And it came to pass that in this year there arose a people who were called the Nephites, and they were true believers in Christ; and among them there were those who were called by the Lamanites—Jacobites, and Josephites, and Zoramites;
Therefore the true believers in Christ, and the true worshipers of Christ, (among whom were the three disciples of Jesus who should tarry) were called Nephites, and Jacobites, and Josephites, and Zoramites.
And it came to pass that they who rejected the gospel were called Lamanites, and Lemuelites, and Ishmaelites; and they did not dwindle in unbelief, but they did wilfully rebel against the gospel of Christ; and they did teach their children that they should not believe, even as their fathers, from the beginning, did dwindle.
And it was because of the wickedness and abomination of their fathers, even as it was in the beginning. And they were taught to hate the children of God, even as the Lamanites were taught to hate the children of Nephi from the beginning.
And it came to pass that two hundred and forty and four years had passed away, and thus were the affairs of the people. And the more wicked part of the people did wax strong, and became exceedingly more numerous than were the people of God.
And they did still continue to build up churches unto themselves, and adorn them with all manner of precious things. And thus did two hundred and fifty years pass away, and also two hundred and sixty years.
And it came to pass that the wicked part of the people began again to build up the secret oaths and combinations of Gadianton.
And also the people who were called the people of Nephi began to be proud in their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, and become vain like unto their brethren, the Lamanites.
And from this time the disciples began to sorrow for the sins of the world.
And it came to pass that when three hundred years had passed away, both the people of Nephi and the Lamanites had become exceedingly wicked one like unto another.
And it came to pass that the robbers of Gadianton did spread over all the face of the land; and there were none that were righteous save it were the disciples of Jesus. And gold and silver did they lay up in store in abundance, and did traffic in all manner of traffic. (4 Nephi 1:35-46, emphasis mine).
Many churches, many “ites” - most stunning was that they TAUGHT THEIR CHILDREN WICKEDNESS AND HATRED. The story of the people in those days is a cautionary tale for our day. The book was written, compiled and translated to come forth in this last dispensation of the fulness of times.
Contrast that with what you are all trying to do, and that is to teach your children righteousness instead. You are disciples of Jesus, and you are in the minority, always have been, always will be. I give you my assurances that you are in the right path. Your children will one day rise up and call you blessed because of what you have taught them in your homes.
This is the generation who will prepare the way for the Savior’s Second Coming, even as we witness more wickedness than we have ever seen before. I love you all for your steadfastness.
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