A New Year!

 

I was reading some family newsletters I never mailed out, from the late 90's.  When we came to the year 2000, I was full of wonder that I had lived to see it.  Now it is fourteen years later, and it really feels like the future.  From now on, we just get more and more into this century and this millenium.  How exciting to be living now!  We'll never go backward, always forward in time.  That just amazes me and fills me with awe.

The idea of being able to print objects is crazy, isn't it?  That's something I never anticipated.  Reminds me of the transporter on Star Trek!  And there isn't that great of a reaction that I've noticed.  It's like we can't keep up with technological innovation, as it is, and there's no time to comment on anything much.
Reminds me of the early 1900's, when the Titanic was built.  Everything was changing rapidly and people were a little bit overwhelmed at the pace.  Then WWI and the flu epidemic came, we had the roaring 20's, and then The Great Depression.  Then WWII came along, the collective sigh of relief after that, and the spread of Communism and Rock and Roll, against an American backdrop of station wagons and barbeques.

One explanation for the swings in history have to do with new generations coming along that haven't learned the lessons of history yet.  Another is that nature has its own cycles, meant to cleanse and renew itself.  And, as in The Book of Mormon, after a time of prosperity, people tend to become less grateful and less spiritual.  We can learn from history, never stop counting your blessings!  And never stop remembering where they come from!

I don't think we can retain and grow our faith without gratitude.  We start feeling pretty smug, thinking that our own care and energy and effort has resulted in blessing our lives; that has an aspect of truth to it.  We are blessed for our efforts, over time.  It's our effort that counts, but everything depends on Heavenly Father and His plan for us.  He's our partner, our confidante and our loving parent.  We are toddlers, really, navigating our world, falling down, and learning.  We cry when we are hungry or uncomfortable, panic sets in, and we feel abandoned somewhat, when all along Heavenly Father could be thinking, as earthly parents often do, "Haven't I fed you and kept you, all along?  Haven't you learned that you can trust in my care?"

Granted, we are at a disadvantaged viewpoint, little, earth-bound Terrestrial people that we are.  It's hard to remember the big picture.  It helps us to think of our ancestors and how they were true to their beliefs and kept the faith.  They went through life, with its ups and downs, and they learned and grew.  They didn't reach perfection, and neither will we.  That's what the Atonement is all about, to take us from where we are to perfection. And we now have those ancestors' support from the other side! 

We are living through the Tribulation, according to Neal A. Maxwell.  We were sent at this time, to become a Zion people, to rise above the challenges of our times and help our brothers and sisters; to feed His sheep and to grow in love.
We shouldn't be going through the cycle of ingratitude and loss of faith. We are to keep on an upward path, to meet Christ at His return.   With God's help, and the example and strength of our forebearers, we will be a Zion people!

We love you!  Bless you all!
xoxoxo