We are Not Alone

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

-Isaiah 41:10-

Sadly, there have been several killings in this nation over the past few days. Initial reports indicate that the killers' motives in a couple of the shootings may have something to do with job loss due to the economy.

We're seeing signs of fear and anger all around us. Citizens are picketing their governments; and neighbors are killing neighbors, or, in a couple of cases, a family member is killing other family members. The fear of the future and anger at those who are believed to have caused the current mess are pushing people to actions, often violent, that have only been witnessed on rare occasions in the past.

A few months ago we witnessed what is now known as the miracle on the Hudson, when Captain Sullenberg performed an emergency airplane landing on the Hudson river and every passenger and crew member survived. We were reminded that miracles do still occur and that we are not alone.

We heard messages from our religious leaders yesterday and today during the LDS general conference reminding us that we are not alone and the Lord still performs miracles. Regardless of the chaos that we see in the world, we can still be filled with peace. To read these messages, please go to http://www.lds.org/.

Yesterday morning the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang "Israel, Israel God is Calling". This song is a message all of its own. The wheat and tares are almost ready to be divided. The tares (wicked) will be bundled and burned while the wheat (righteous) will be harvested in a safe place. We hope that we are among the wheat who are harvested.

You can hear the tune, or hear it being sung, and see the sheet music at this site: http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=7&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=7&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Below are the words. As the song states, angels are descending, Babylon is getting ready to fall, and the coming of the Lord is nigh. We are not alone.


Israel, Israel, God Is Calling
Richard Smyth

Israel, Israel, God is calling, Calling thee from lands of woe:
Babylon the great is falling. God shall all her towers o'erthrow.
Come to Zion, come to Zion Ere his floods of anger flow.
Come to Zion, come to Zion Ere his floods of anger flow.

Israel, Israel, God is speaking; Hear your great Deliverer's voice!
Now a glorious morn is breaking For the people of his choice.
Come to Zion, come to Zion, And within her walls rejoice.
Come to Zion, come to Zion, And within her walls rejoice.

Israel, angels are descending From celestial worlds on high,
And to man their power extending, That the Saints may homeward fly.
Come to Zion, come to Zion, For your coming Lord is nigh.
Come to Zion, come to Zion, For your coming Lord is nigh.

Israel! Israel! canst thou linger Still in error's gloomy ways?
Mark how judgment's pointing finger Justifies no vain delays.
Come to Zion, come to Zion! Zion's walls shall ring with praise.
Come to Zion, come to Zion! Zion's walls shall ring with praise.