Can Ye Feel So Now? Part 2

I'm back at it...hopefully I can squeeze in a few more thoughts before the kiddos wake up:

President George Albert Smith told Elder Ezra Taft Benson that "Your mission . . . is to . . . warn the people . . . in as kind a way as possible that repentance will be the only panacea for the ills of the world."

I like that President smith said "in as kind a way as possible."  Christ is the epitome of kindness, so it only makes sense that we are to deliver his message of repentance with kindness.  That said, the message must still be delivered.  If we or those we love are not 'feeling so now,' yes, we need to be kind, but bottom line, we've got to get people singing again, and that will only happen through repentance.

Elder Cook said, "The constant portrayal of violence and immorality in music, entertainment, art, and other media in our day-to-day culture is unprecedented.  This was dramatically described by a highly respected Baptist theologian when he stated, 'The spiritual immune system of an entire civilization has been wounded.'"

So true.  As a society, we have fallen down a slippery slope.  In various areas, what we once perceived as wrong has slipped to being perceived as tolerable, and even to being acceptable and normal.  Where we don't perceive a pathogen, we aren't going to muster the troops to fight it.  Our spirits get wounded, without us even being aware of it.  Scar tissue builds up, and if we don't clear it away through repentance, we lose feeling, which makes it hard to feel to sing the song of redeeming love.

I have historically found it very hard to perceive answers to my prayers.  In contrast, I have a sister who very clearly receives answers to her prayers, whether the issues be significant or seemingly mundane.  I recently asked her for some insight on how she receives her answers.  She told me that among other things, she doesn't watch or listen to anything that portrays immorality, bad language, violence, etc.  Wow - that significantly cuts down on what she is able to watch.  As I considered my own viewing habits, I thought of King Lamoni's father, who said, "I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom," so that he could have eternal life, or in other words, so that he could "feel to sing the song of redeeming love."  Alma 22:15.  Would I be willing to give up 30-60 minutes of a television show that could be scarring my spirit?  I'd better be.  

I was just about to get back to Elder Cook, but I have three kids calling to be freed from their beds.  Off I go!