In the End . . .

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

It’s a fascinating quote. It’s also from a very famous man who had enemies by the millions and friends in even greater numbers. It seemed to resonate from several different angles.

Of late, I have difficulty viewing anything beyond the issues which face the Restoration. This is as it should be. Staying focused keeps the edge on to identify those who, for whatever reason, work to thwart the aims of the Lord. It is also important to identify those faithful who valiantly strive for Zion. As a result, the biggest task is to separate the two. As a man, I can in no way be certain of the intent within the hearts of all the Saints I know. I hear the pleas and prayers of some and infer their desire to serve the cause of Jesus Christ and the ultimate gathering by labor and sacrifice. Others offer nearly the same pleas and prayers but there is a hint of self before the outright commitment. Thank God I am relieved of the responsibility for the final judgment; it is His and His alone. It is not my province.

Is it my business to even be listening that carefully to separate the wheat from the chaff? More important, is it yours? I submit, with the full knowledge that it would be sinful for me to infringe upon that which God has declared as his own, it would also be sinful for me to ignore obvious breeches of faith in those around me. Why does this concern me? Here, the old history thing rears its ugly head. If we pay no attention to those who would corrupt the faith with words ever so subtle we silently endorse their plans by silence. By not insisting that organizational changes be meticulously explained and approved by the consent of the greater body of Saints we risk taking a course of action not in concert with God’s laws.

One of the characteristics I detect frequently is impatience of leadership at all levels. Please allow me the liberty of paraphrasing a quote I heard recently from a very wise old man who holds a very high post in God’s army on earth. He observed the impatience of elders who were bused to Kirtland, parked, entered the temple, offered prayers and sat and waited for the Lord to appear and share His wisdom. While they claimed to have the good spirit (and I don’t dispute that) he believed that they were disappointed that God did not manifest Himself in a much stronger way. Did they not go all the way to Kirtland to hear from Him? I believe they sincerely wanted to hear from Him. I also believe that He was there but simply did not choose to share, for whatever reason, any further instructions. It is His will we all seek but we often want it on our timetable.

As I read reports of the earliest days of the church I seem to remember that Joseph Smith, Jr. did certain things in concert with the Lord and followed the instructions given by the attending personages. Then the procedure was abruptly halted. Then, further instructions were given and then the process resumed. Do we remember evidence that Joseph was impatient for progress and somewhat piqued by the delay?

The same speaker shortly after asked when we should get started building Zion. Should we wait for the Lord’s instructions? He suggested we have had the direction and the general plan for a temple and asked when that project should begin. The answer on both counts is now. We have the answers to all of this in our hands. We do not require a committee to approve either one.

“Oh we must wait for the Lord to appear and lead us.” There is a great old, oft repeated story among Catholics which illustrates the point. The young priest while puttering around the altar between masses looks up and senses the presence of Jesus. He rushes back to the vestry where the older priest is relaxing and says, “Father, Father, Jesus is here, what do I do?’ The older priest looks up and replies, “Look busy.”

I believe I recognize a great deal of Restoration Church in what should be a joke. Who wants to be the first on hand to point out to the Lord on His return those things which we have accomplished for Him? Can he forgive the “progress” we have made? When He asks about the great number who have been baptized in His name are you prepared to report? When He asks to see His temple do you want to be the one to show Him? When He observes the poor among us, do we have a ready explanation?

I firmly believe that there are those who project a Godly outer shell for public consumption who would impede the works we are challenged to accomplish. I also believe that some of them actually believe some of the rubbish they dispense. Our salvation does not lie in our ability to sing “Kumbaya.” It lies in our faith in Jesus Christ and our adherence to His will by works. The rub comes in having two separate entities inhibiting the works. One is dispensing the false doctrine influenced by a desire for their own manmade outcome. The other, and this is serious, is the one who stands silently and tolerates that which he knows is wrong. These deceivers come clothed in an attractive wrapper preaching glib words to a ready audience who can later stand in the vestibule and say, “Oh, I just loved your message.” Well, that’s dandy. Did Jesus Christ appreciate the message as well? You know Him well enough to answer that question yourself if you really try. As he spoke, did you offer a silent request to God for verification of the message? He has offered to help you if you have doubts, if you will only ask.

I have mentioned previously that thirty five years ago when the church was being usurped by clever men with a false doctrine I was too busy ruining my own life to care all that much about the outcome. My repentance came with a promise to God to not repeat those things which so grievously wounded His heart. Part of my covenant is not to remain silent.

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”—Martin Luther King

God’s work awaits,

Cecil Moon