A Thought From My Friend

A dear friend of mine sent me the following email.  It is something to be shared with all.


Today as I was listening to the track "The Last March of the Ents" from "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" soundtrack and it occurred to me how this scene in the movie applies to our lives. In the movie, the Ents (the living, talking tree creatures) are told by Merry and Pippin of the evil that is taking over the world. It turns out that the Ents are quite apathetic to what is going on, they do not believe that the evil affects them, and that it is none of their concern what is happening to others.

I thought about how we can all be apathetic at times, sometimes not taking thought to how evil affects us, our family or our friends. We sometimes don't take a second thought about watching that one movie, or retelling that one joke, or visiting that one Internet site, or using those words, or listening to that music that chases out the Spirit. Even more often, we don't give a second thought to when our friends do those things. I found it interesting that in this scene in the movie, Merry and Pippin are like unto the Prophet and Apostles, they warn the Ents of danger, and invite them to fight the evil that is trespassing on their land, literally destroying their friends and family, and threatening to destroy the Ents themselves. Merry and Pippin gently persuade one Ent to a place where he can see the treachery firsthand. Once the Ents eyes are opened the the reality of the situation, they understand that this is their fight. They realize their strength, and they take a stand against the evil ones. 

What stage of the Ents understanding are we currently living in? Are we apathetic to our surroundings? Or do we see the danger that is threatening our spiritual lives and the lives of those we hold most dear? Are we willing to take a stand for righteousness? Are we willing to be an example to inspire others by our actions, our love, and our words? 

Evil is real, and it is encroaching on our lands, upon our homes, and into the hearts of our loved ones, but as Sam says in this same movie, "There is some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for!" There is a powerful song called "Do Something" by Matthew West that relates to my thoughts shared above:

"I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
Thought, how’d we ever get so far down?
How’s it ever gonna turn around?
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, "God, why don’t You do something?"
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”

He said, “I did...I created you!”

If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something!"

​Let us fight for right! 


​D&C 27:15-18​
 
​"​
Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.

Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;
​ ​
Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;
​ ​
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen.
​"​

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