Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “Some years ago, one of our young married daughters and here husband asked Sister Rasband and me a very important and life influencing question: “Is it still safe and wise to bring children into this seemingly wicked and frightening world we live in?”
Now, that was an important question for a mom and dad to consider for their dear married children. We could hear the fear in their voices and feel the fear in their hearts. Our answer to their question was a firm “Yes, it’s more that OK,” as we shared fundamental gospel teachings and our own heartfelt impressions and life experiences.
Fear is not new. The disciples of Jesus Christ, out on the Sea of Galilee, feared the “wind, and the waves” in the dark of the night.[i] As his disciple today, we too have fears. Our single adults fear making commitments such as getting married. Young marrieds, like our children, can fear bringing children into an increasingly wicked world. Missionaries fear lots of things, especially approaching strangers. Widows fear going forward alone. Teenagers fear not being accepted; grade schoolers the first day of school; university students fear getting back a test. We fear failure, rejection, disappointment and the unknown. We fear hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires that ravage the land and our lives. We fear not being chosen, on the flip side, we fear being chosen. We fear change and our fears can escalate to terror. Have I included just about everyone?
Since ancient times fear has limited the perspective of God’s children…. “And when the servant of (Elisha) the man of God was risen early and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do”?[iii]
That was fear speaking. And [Elisha] answered, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. [iv]
How is fear dispelled? For the young lad, he was standing right next to Elisha, a prophet of God. We have the same promise. When we listen to President Russell M. Nelson, when we hearken to his counsel, we are standing with a Prophet of God. Remember the the words of Joseph Smith: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!” [ix]t Jesus Christ lives. Our love for Him and His gospel dispels fear. (For Elder Rasband’s complete talk go to… ‘Be Not Troubled’)
