From Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
Some years ago one of our married daughters and her husband asked Sister Rasband and me a very important, life-influencing question: “Is it still safe and wise to bring children into this seemingly wicked and frightening world we live in?”
Now that is an important question for a mom and dad to consider with their dear married children. We could hear the fear in their voices and feel the fear in their hearts. Our answer to them was firm, “Yes, it’s more than okay,” 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 (Mark 4:37). As His disciples 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 fear the first day of school; university students fear getting their test scores. We fear failure, disappointment, rejection, and the unknown. We fear hurricanes, earthquakes, fires and even pandemics that ravage the land and our lives. We fear not being chosen and, on the flip side, we fear being chosen. We fear not being good enough; we rearthat the Lord has no blessings for us. 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. I have always loved the account of Elisha in 2 Kings. The king of Syria had sent a legion that “came by night and compassed the city about” (2 Kings 6:14). Their intent was to capture and kill the prophet Elisha. We read: “And when the servant of 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?” (v. 15).That was fear speaking. “And [Elisha] answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (v.16)
But he didn’t stop there. “Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” v. 17).
We may or may not have chariots of fire sent to dispel our fears and conquer our demons, but the lesson is clear. The Lord is with us, mindful of us and blessing us in ways that only He can do. Prayer can call down the strength and the revelation that we need to center our thoughts on Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. The Lord knew that at times we would feel fear. I have been there and so have you, which is why the scriptures are replete with the Lord’s counsel: “Be of good cheer and do not fear” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:6); “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36); and, “Fear not, little flock” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:34). ~Ronald A. Rasband, Be Not Troubled (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2020), 9-11 Find Refuge From Fear II
