As so many people struggle and worry with the craziness and uncertainty of COVID-19 and the Corona virus (SARS-CoV-2), it was a welcome relief to listen to President Nelson’s thoughtful message of hope and optimism posted on the Church’s Newsroom and also at Facebook. Having a respected medical doctor and Prophet of God share his optimism gave me a little more courage to go forward.
I especially appreciated his request to not just take care of ourselves and our loved ones, but to also “look for opportunities to help those around you near and far.” There are so many things you can do. Here’s one tip: for those of you who have prepared carefully and have adequate supplies, why not bring along something like toilet paper or other useful items for those you visit as ministering brothers or sisters, or for others you sense may have a need? Some people have traveled to many stores this week trying to get a roll or two, sometimes in vain. Imagine how much comfort a few extra supplies can bring in a time of such frustration. Seek the Spirit and look for inspired ways to help the right person in the right way. What can be more joyous than that?
May we continue being cautious and preparing carefully for the possibility of trouble, while also seeking the Lord’s guidance daily.
Wouldn't it be nice if he took some of that hundred billion dollars and gave some personal protective equipment to the nurses and doctors and technicians on the front line of hospitals around the country?
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2020/3/20/21188511/coronavirus-mormon-latter-day-saint-charities-covid-19?fbclid=IwAR2Sd1E3N2Y0PKadXntn66U5rhT0V8yYFmyTFFipOxhWQvwODph4em7IDlk
Does this count?
What hope does he have for the missionaries who are stranded in Peru? Was his prophet, seer and revelator thing not turned on when he could have gotten those kids out?
So your expectation is that God and His prophets have to prevent all our trials here? It's wonderful that the Church is helping and has provided counsel that has helped millions to prepare for events like this (food storage and provident living, home-centered worship, have savings, etc.), but it's not the plan for God to prevent all our afflictions, even among missionaries. Facing them are actually part of the purpose of mortality. Travel restrictions have stranded many people all over the world. Some missionaries in the past have been killed in various places, including two who were shot in Peru in the 90s. If our loving God makes it impossible for people to choose to do evil or stupid things that hurt missionaries, kids, the elderly, or anyone, then He would need to remove the terrible but vital gift of free will here in mortality. The mortal period of testing and growth could be run as a paternal, authoritarian system where all evil is stopped and nobody ever has any problems and we all get a big paycheck each month from the all-providing government of God, but then God would be herding sheep, not raising sons and daughters.
“If our loving God makes it impossible for people to choose to do evil or stupid things that hurt missionaries, kids, the elderly, or anyone, then He would need to remove the terrible but vital gift of free will here in mortality.“
And yet you claim to see god’s hand in all of life’s coincidences. Which is it? Can he or can’t he have influence?
9:42 Bingo, Mormonthink has asked Jeff for well over decade to answer that question and he refuses, which is evidence that deep down he knows he is full of it. Stuff he pretends is science.
8:52 – So Mormon prophets are no different than any other religious leader? Offering banal advice on the virtues of slave morality and monkish poverty? Why not just let the virus spread so some luckily winners get to go heaven sooner, if you do believe in God's will and heaven? If you don't believe in God and fear death, then by all means have a food supply, dig a trench, abstain from every creature comfort so you can build a bunker. Is that WWJD? No actually Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow and he deliberately antagonized the virus of hate to provoke it into crucifying him with an early untimely death.
“So your expectation is that God and His prophets have to prevent all our trials here?”
I think the expectation is that modern-day prophets be as successful as prophets in the Bible and especially the BoM (BoM prophets were uncannily good at predicting things—sometimes even down to the hour, almost as if they knew how the story was going to end). One of the main roles of a prophet as portrayed in scripture is to warn people of impending calamity and death. Seems like they dropped the ball on this one. . .
"One of the main roles of a prophet as portrayed in scripture is to warn people of impending calamity and death. Seems like they dropped the ball on this one. . . "
I suspect you haven't been listening to many General Conference sessions over the past few decades. We have had steady warnings for years about the need to build foot storage and live frugally to prepare for increasing troubles in the latter days. We have had guidance on changing our worship practices to be able to cope with crises like this. But it sounds like you feel we need to add much more detail to make sure that major setbacks or trouble are remedied in advance for every single missionary and probably every single member and why not every single person, while you are at it? It would make General Conference much more interesting, I suppose, and of greater value to investors, especially if the prophets would use their gifts to help members with their investments (sell Google, go long on Walmart, and buy silver and precious metals stocks on the upcoming March 22 dip!), but it would be so long!
“We have had steady warnings for years about the need to build foot storage and live frugally to prepare for increasing troubles in the latter days.”
True. By that token, Dave Ramsey could be considered a prophet as well or anyone who lived through the great depression.
I think President Hinckley said it best when he prophesied this in regards to food storage:
“I wish to urge again the importance of self-reliance on the part of every individual Church member and family. None of us knows when a catastrophe might strike.”
"And yet you claim to see god’s hand in all of life’s coincidences. Which is it? Can he or can’t he have influence?"
No, I make no such claim. Life is a mix with plenty of randomness and plenty of negative influences seeking to tear us down and hurt us. But I choose to be grateful for much in my life, but also recognize that there is great evil and pain in the world, especially when people choose to reject God and abuse or otherwise harm others. Resist the evil, be grateful for the good, and seek God's guidance in learning how to cope. And yes, He clearly can have an influence. He created this planet. And if we'll listen to Him and not our passions and selfish desires, He can guide each one of us to do better and move forward toward Him. Infinite potential influence, but since He allows us to be free here, His influence in our lives often depends on whether or not we choose to listen and follow His teachings.
You make such claims constantly about the “tender mercies” that coincidence bestows upon you (wait, no that’s God who you give credit to).