Be Still

On September 11, 2001, I remember having just gotten out of the shower when my husband came in the door after playing some morning basketball.  It was a Tuesday morning, and I was happily looking forward to spending the day getting ready for my 9th wedding anniversary date that night.  The kids were still sleeping, but it was nearly time to wake the oldest up for school.  My husband said, "Something's happening.  We need to turn on the news."  It was a very surreal feeling to see the aftermath of two planes hitting the World Trade Center, and President Bush on every TV channel telling us that the country had been victim of an apparent terrorist attack.  We watched as the south tower collapsed, sending the the surrounding area into chaos.  We watched as news broke that the Pentagon had just been hit, and we just sat there in stunned silence.  We were thousands of miles away from the attacks, but the feeling of fear and insecurity was as if our little Utah town had been attacked.  I remember walking around the whole day, feeling kind of numb.  I was glued to the television set.  No one knew if there would be more attacks.  No one knew where the next one would be.  When evening came, my husband and I decided that we should probably make some effort to celebrate our anniversary, so we left to look for a place to eat.  It was like a ghost town.  Most every business had closed.  We did find a little restaurant to eat in, and we and one other couple were the only ones there.  Turns out it was their anniversary, too.

The days and weeks following the attacks were filled with uncertainty and sadness and anger.  But I also remember a different feeling.  Just a few weeks later, at the beginning of October, it was time for General Conference.  I remember a feeling of anticipation to hear the prophet speak.  I needed to feel like everything was going to be ok, and I knew that the only person who could make that happen was President Hinckley.  I watched conference with reverence, but also with a little bit of impatience.  With every speaker, I kept thinking, "Come on!  I need to hear President Hinckley!".  Finally, it was his turn.

My beloved brethren and sisters, I accept this opportunity in humility. I pray that I may be guided by the Spirit of the Lord in that which I say.

I have just been handed a note that says that a U.S. missile attack is under way. I need not remind you that we live in perilous times. I desire to speak concerning these times and our circumstances as members of this Church.

You are acutely aware of the events of September 11, less than a month ago. Out of that vicious and ugly attack we are plunged into a state of war. It is the first war of the 21st century. The last century has been described as the most war-torn in human history. Now we are off on another dangerous undertaking, the unfolding of which and the end thereof we do not know. For the first time since we became a nation, the United States has been seriously attacked on its mainland soil. But this was not an attack on the United States alone. It was an attack on men and nations of goodwill everywhere. It was well planned, boldly executed, and the results were disastrous. It is estimated that more than 5,000 innocent people died. Among these were many from other nations. It was cruel and cunning, an act of consummate evil.

He went on to talk about some of the inevitable effects that the members of the church would feel, and he talked about Muslim/Christian relations and the need for us to show love to our fellow men.  He talked about war and the history of the Gadianton Robbers in the Book of Mormon.  He talked about standing solidly with the President of the United States, and many other things.  But he ended with this:

Now, brothers and sisters, we must do our duty, whatever that duty might be. Peace may be denied for a season. Some of our liberties may be curtailed. We may be inconvenienced. We may even be called on to suffer in one way or another. But God our Eternal Father will watch over this nation and all of the civilized world who look to Him. He has declared, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (Ps. 33:12). Our safety lies in repentance. Our strength comes of obedience to the commandments of God.

Let us be prayerful. Let us pray for righteousness. Let us pray for the forces of good. Let us reach out to help men and women of goodwill, whatever their religious persuasion and wherever they live. Let us stand firm against evil, both at home and abroad. Let us live worthy of the blessings of heaven, reforming our lives where necessary and looking to Him, the Father of us all. He has said, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10).

Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes. We can be an influence for good in this world, every one of us.

May the God of heaven, the Almighty, bless us, help us, as we walk our various ways in the uncertain days that lie ahead. May we look to Him with unfailing faith. May we worthily place our reliance on His Beloved Son who is our great Redeemer, whether it be in life or in death, is my prayer in His holy name, even the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

"Be still, and know that I am God".  "There is no need to fear."  That was what I was looking for.  That was the comfort I needed.  And because those words came to me from a living prophet, I had no doubt that Heavenly Father was the one comforting me.

How grateful I am for a living prophet.  Because I was born into the church, I have never known what it's like to be without one.  There are many who believe that God does not speak through living prophets - that there is no more revelation.

Wo be unto him that shall say:  We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!  

For behold, thus saith the Lord God:  I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

Because we have a loving Heavenly Father, he has provided a way for us to receive new revelation from Him.  Revelation that pertains to us in our day and our time.  That way is through a living prophet, who also loves us and is concerned for our welfare.  I'm sure President Hinckley had a different talk prepared that day, but he knew what we needed.  He knew that we would need comfort and guidance in that perilous time.  As long as we stay humble and listen and receive modern revelation, and do as the Lord would have us do, we will continue to receive that revelation, "line upon line, precept upon precept", through a living prophet.

....for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts.

He is there for us.  He is ready to comfort when we stand in need of comfort.  For that, I am so grateful.

Click here to read what I read today!

Click here for the full text of President Hinckley's Conference talk.