Elder Ronald A. Rasband or the Quorum of the Twelve continuing from Find Refuge from Fear “And [Elijah] answered, Fear not for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (v.16).
I love the tenderness of “little flock.” In this Church we may be few in number by the way the world counts influence, but when we open our spiritual eyes, we see that “they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:16). Our loving shepherd, Jesus Christ, then continues, “Let earth and hell combine against you for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail” (Doctrine & Covenants 6:34). How is fear dispelled: How can we “be not troubled”? For the young lad in 2 Kings, a key was to be standing right next to Elisha, a prophet of God. He was in good company. We have that same promise. When we listen to President Russell M. Nelson, when we hearken to his counsel, we are standing with a Prophet of God. President Nelson taught: “The more we know about the Savior’s ministry and mission—the more we know that He can provide the power that we need for our lives” (“Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensign, May 2017. Jesus Christ lives. Our love for Him and His gospel dispels fear. Additionally, our desire to “always have his Spirit: with us (Doctrine & Covenants 20:77) will push fear aside for a more eternal view of our mortal lives.
Remember, “they that be with us” on both sides of the veil, those who love the Lord with all their heart, might, mind, and strength, “are more than they that be with them.” If we actively trust in the Lord and His ways, if we are engaged in His work, we will not fear the trends of the world or be troubled by them.” I plead with you to set aside worldly influences and pressures and seek the Spirit and spirituality in your daily life. Love what the Lord loves—-which includes His commandments. His holy houses, our sacred covenants with Him, the sacrament each Sabbath day, our communication through prayer—and you will not be troubled.
The scriptures help us see that eternal view also and they clearly outline ways to find refuge and renewal. In Doctrine & Covenants we read, “Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come: for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord” (Doctrine & Covenants 87:8).
Also, in the Doctrine and Covenants we read: “And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth. And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound. . . . But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die. . . . And I said unto them: Be not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled. (Doctrine and Covenants 45:26-27,32,35).
Amidst all the conditions of our day, “be not troubled.” I would like to share with you how to do this.
I am struck by the emphasis on “stand in holy places.” Temples, homes, and chapels are holy places. The presence of the Spirit and our behavior there make them holy places, sanctuaries from the world. (see Handbook 2; Administering the Church).~Ronald A. Rasband, Be Not Troubled (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2020), 11-14 Continued. . . .
