Winning a Losing Battle

What is the secret to winning? How do you ensure that you are always successful, in every pursuit?

About a year ago, I began paying attention to politics. I began asking basic questions, basic questions surprisingly similar to the boy Joseph Smith when he began asking questions about religion...in fact, I would like to use his words to describe some of my feelings related to politics.

"During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties...My mind at times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult were so great and incessant. In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?"

My search, as any sincere search, led to some truths related to the founding of our nation, and the Lord's warnings to us in these latter days. As I began to awake, I felt panic and almost constant anxiety. I wanted to take this new knowledge and share it with others and gain some comfort in knowing that we were all in this together. However, I found that there were few who were actually willing to discuss the issues with me.

One thing led to another and I have now united myself with Doug Sligting's campaign. I have learned many things since joining the campaign. Among various facts related to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, I have become aware that our chances of getting Doug elected are slim at best. One may ask, "Why would you spend all the time, money and energy on this cause if you don't fully expect to win?"

This is quite a good question. Men such as Moroni and Jesus' apostles probably had to battle with such questions. Why did these men continue preaching and pressing on when they knew that their days were numbered? There was going to be a falling away, the Lord told them that the word would not take hold at this time, their efforts were not going to produce immediate victory. But, they pressed on nevertheless.

I believe we each have the responsibility to live according to the truth that we possess. If we know something is right and true, we cannot settle for anything less. Though we may fall short and manifest our weakness from time to time, our sights must remain focused on the principles of truth God has revealed to us. This is how we secure for ourselves certain victory. As long as we are true, we win every time and are successful in every pursuit. God will prove this at the last day.

This nation is not going to change by getting the right people elected, I am afraid it is not that easy. This battle for our nation is nothing short of the battle for men's souls...it never has been through all ages of time, it never will be. Getting people to vote for the most popular, the most persuasive candidate doesn't change people's minds or hearts, it just sways them for a time. Our nation will change when individuals, possessing the same principles of liberty and righteousness as our founding fathers, begin living principles of truth. It is an overwhelming concept to swallow, but we can't deny it. God put us here to test us, why would such a struggle be going on if men's souls were not at stake? Would God or Satan care if it was just a matter of opinion?

So, if Doug doesn't win the election, so be it. The real victory is found in people becoming familiar with true principles of government.

The Line Between the Lord's Will and Our Efforts

I regularly ponder the Lord's admonition to "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7) How can the Lord give such direction so freely? Of course, there is some qualification to this promise as described in 3 Nephi. "And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you."

We have to ask for the "right" things. I think this is the part I often struggle with. I tend to be unsure exactly what I should be asking for. I want to ask for what is right, but sometimes get confused. The scriptures have been a great source of helping me overcome that confusion.

In 1 Nephi chapter 17, the Lord wakes Nephi and tells him to arise and go to the mountain. Nephi goes and cries to the Lord seeking further instruction. The Lord tells Nephi to build a ship after the manner that He would show him. Nephi responds, "Whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown me?"

What a response! Nephi was ready to do all of the work, he just asked for a piece of knowledge. Knowledge of where to go to get the ore, to make the tools, to do the work. What if Nephi had just asked the Lord to give him tools? He knew God could provide them. How often do we just ask for the tools, and "skip" a step, asking for something that would excuse ourselves from doing all of the work?

In verse 8, the Lord tells Nephi to build the ship..."that I may carry thy people across these waters." Nephi needed to build the ship in order for the Lord to be able to carry them across the water. Is the Lord able to build a ship? Of course, and Nephi knew it. Regardless of the Lord being able, and regardless of Nephi knowing the Lord was able, the Lord still instructed Nephi to do the building. So that He, the Lord, could bring them across the great waters.

This scenario further defines the point at which our efforts/faith and the Lord's will/power meet. I am beginning to believe it is further away from us that we think. There is more required of me than I often realize.

We cannot just sit there in our families or Ward Councils and hope that people will be saved. It requires hard work and consistent stretching faith to bring about the miracles we desire. Consider the faith Nephi was exercising day after day as he built that ship, the hard labor it required. Only following that exertion would the Lord carry them to where they needed to go.

What is our ship? What is the Lord waiting for us to build so that He can begin to carry us where we need to go? What should we be asking for in the meantime? We certainly should not be asking for the ship.