"And now let us pacify the king, and we fulfil the oath which we have made unto him; for it is better that we should be in bondage than that we should lose our lives; therefore, let us put a stop to the shedding of so much blood."
I had made a note on this verse about the removal of my dangerous old trees and having to go into debt to do so. I had read this verse shortly after the event and this left an impression on me. For those trees were rotted and limbs were coming down, one having fallen in the only perfect spot where it could do no damage. That was my final warning. My insurance would not have covered me if it had landed on the house because they were rotted and I had not maintained the trees. It was better to be in bondage financially then to have someone lose their life.
Now I think of the pandemic around us and how it is better to be in bondage, remaining safely in our homes, until the danger is lifted. In fact as I am reading these words in the Book of Mormon I see them as a clear direction on when to fight for liberty and when we need to stand still and preserve life.
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put out a letter "Administrative Principle in Challenging Times", April 16, 2020 and reaffirmed us upholding the laws of the land, especially when rights are restricted to protect others.
Global Citizen Responsibility
"Members of the Church are grateful for the laws of many nations around the world that protect religious freedom and respect the sacred freedom of conscience.
The Church teaches that its members should sustain and uphold the laws where they reside. These governments enact such laws as in their own judgment are best calculated to secure the public interest. We acknowledge that in exceptional circumstances all individual rights may be reasonably restricted, for a time to protect the safety of the general public.
In times of pandemic or natural disaster the Church will respond to official orders to take needed actions such as cancelling or postponing meetings or other gatherings. The Church and its members are committed to being good citizens and good neighbors. The Church has a long history of reaching out and providing assistance to those in need.
Along with our commitment to be good global citizens, we respectfully assert that reasonable accommodations be extended to all people of faith as they strive to participate in rites, that are foundational to their faith."
(Tad Walch, "Church releases guidelines for weddings, funerals, ordinances during COVID-19 pandemic", Deseret News, Apr 17, 2020)
I feel that not only will we be temporarily blessed in being obedient, we will have spiritual blessings poured out to us for doing so. Those that are disobedient and press for their rights at the wrong time will suffer spiritually if not temporarily for their actions.
Day 1849
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