Warriors of Peace: Part 7

Warriors of Peace

Talk given on Feb. 28, 2016

by Bill Peavoy

Part 7: Defenders of the Family Proclamation

As I mentioned earlier, the tools of this war are words and these days, not a general conference goes by without at least one talk covering our duties and responsibilities as warriors in this battle.  Back in 2012, Jeffrey R. Holland gave an incredible talk entitled “Israel Israel God is calling” where he referenced how in every previous dispensation, “when things got too sinful, or there was too much secularization in society, or life with the Gentiles was destroying the moral code and commandments God had given, the children of the covenant would be sent fleeing into the wilderness to re-establish Zion and start all over.”

He mentioned Abraham fleeing Babylon to seek Canaan.  Moses bringing Isreal out of Egypt.  Lehi leaving the wicked Jerusalem, and only a few years later, Nephi having to flee with the righteous members of his family, separating themselves from those who wouldn’t hearken to the counsel of God.  The brother of Jared fleeing Babylon.  He made special mention of the pilgrims who fled the spiritual tyranny of Europe and colonized early America in order to worship as they wished.  Then the early saints were hounded through the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri and finally Illinois until they were eventually forced to flee the borders of the United States into the mountains of Utah.  When the United States territory eventually caught up with them there, some fled again settling communities outside US borders which includes the unique and special history of Cardston, founded because of a government’s attack on the family.

Elder Holland pointed out that “for more than 4,000 years of covenantal history, this has been the pattern of the righteous: Flee and seek. Run and settle. Escape Babylon. Build Zion’s protective walls.”  But he went on to declare that we will run no longer.  We are done running.  Today, we will stay and fight. In that talk he encourages us to “Never Check Our Religion at the Door” and later he teaches how we are to “Use Gospel Values to Benefit our Communities and Countries.”

In Last April’s conference, Sister Oscarson gave a talk titled, Defenders of the Family Proclamation.  In it she concludes, “Let us help build the kingdom of God by standing up boldly and being defenders of marriage, parenthood, and the home. The Lord needs us to be brave, steadfast, and immovable warriors who will defend His plan and teach the upcoming generations His truths.”