Brothers and Sisters,

I have reflected on the Lord's statement: If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear. This profound truth gives me pause as I think about the families in Los Angeles who recently lost their homes. Despite their efforts in physical preparedness, their circumstances changed within hours. While physical preparation is wise and prudent, the Savior provides us with the ultimate key to escaping the power of the enemy who seeks to destroy our souls: temples, His law, and the endowment. D&C 38: 28-32 

Our prophet and apostles have repeatedly warned us of the challenges of our day, yet they continue to encourage us to stand in holy places. They have asked us to make temple worship one of our highest priorities. Consider this question: if the Savior asked us to do a hard thing, would we do it?

This reminds me of Naaman in scripture who resisted the prophet’s counsel to wash seven times in the Jordan River to be cleansed of his leprosy. His servant said to him, If the prophet had asked you to do a great thing, would you not have done it? Because the task seemed simple, Naaman doubted its effectiveness. Yet, after heeding the prophet's counsel, he was cleansed. 

I often wonder how this experience changed his life. Did he begin to consider the small and simple things that bring about great blessings? Did he reevaluate his personal prayers, his faith in Christ, his worship of God, and his adherence to God’s commandments?

What about us? The Savior gives us divine laws in the temple: the Law of Obedience, the Law of Sacrifice, the Law of the Gospel, the Law of Chastity, and the Law of Consecration. When we obey these laws, we are endowed with power, but power for what?

In Doctrine and Covenants 38:31, we learn that this power enables us to be gathered unto Christ as a righteous people, without spot and blameless. So, I ask: What do we truly desire in life as it relates to preparedness? For me, the question is simple: Am I His? Does He know me and recognize me as one of His own? If He does, then why the worry? D&C 38:30

Brother Tuckett