Follow Me

Last night, I was watching the final episode of The Chosen, season one. They touched upon a topic that echoes the message I have striven to express in every fireside I have done; forgiveness and letting go of the past so we may fully embrace the Gospel today. In the scene, Jesus and the disciples are on a journey, and some of them begin to grow concerned because they feel they are getting off track. When they start to point out to Jesus that there is a safer way to where they are going, he informs them that they are going to Samaria. The announcement causes grave concern for fear of violence due to the turbulent history between the Samaritans and Jews. Big James comes forward and says,

“But Rabbi, the Samaritans…”

“What is your point, Big James?” Jesus asked.

“These were the people who profaned our temple….” Big James answered, to which Jesus so wisely replied;

“And we destroyed their temple a hundred years ago, and none of you here were present for any of these things.” 

In this statement, Jesus brings attention to the dangers of focusing on negative or violent events of the past, including human error. His message to them expresses the reality that we are surrounded by now; that if focus remains on mistakes of the past and holding grudges, then focus is not on the gospel today and our role in it. This has been the experience of so many who have become caught up in doubt when faced with proven or perceived human error they have discovered in history. Once the door to that doubt is opened, testimonies are weakened, and in many cases lost. 

In journey to Samaria scene, the conversation ends by Jesus simply saying, “we’ll be fine …. follow me.” It is that simple, humans just seem to complicate it. We will surely be fine and need to lay aside concerns about a past that we weren’t even there to witness and see for ourselves. After all, how many of those mistakes are actually true and how many are based on speculation? When we see or hear things that cause doubt or fear as we are in the midst of building the kingdom and gathering Israel, we must remember those words… “we’ll be fine, follow me,” and move onward.

Those who truly know and love the Savior are drawn where the light is strongest. After many generations of living in spiritual darkness, where the light was very dim, there began to stir in the hearts of men a desire for truth to come forth. They yearned for knowledge that conformed more fully to the early teachings of Christ, without the added doctrines of men. Thus, was ushered in the time of the Reformation. Great ministers opened their mouths in defense of the Word of God, laying down their lives in the process. They were persecuted and forced to flee in secret, until the wave of aggression carried them over to the American Colonies in search of religious freedom.

As generations passed in the Colonies, many different religions were organized. They began to quarrel one with the other over who was the most correct. Thus was the pattern of events that led to the Restoration in 1830; the ebb and flow of activity that prompted people to speak and move for reasons they did not completely understand but we see today. When one studies over the trials, joys, successes, sorrows, and enlightenment that coursed through those early pioneers of the Reformation and Restoration, it is clear to see why their testimonies were so strong. In contrast, the times we now live in have created an atmosphere that makes it more difficult for many to maintain an unbreakable testimony, and the adversary knows that he can use the past to shake the foundations of even the strongest fortress of faith. However, we always have at our hand the strongest armor and the most powerful defense if we just turn to the Savior.

Those of you who know my story are acquainted with the many traditions I was raised with; traditions I found later to be skewed or untrue altogether. Unfortunately, there were also some unpleasant incidences and human error I found to be true in Church history; choices made in anger that created discord. But who am I to judge? I wasn’t there and people often say things they do not really mean to when in a temper. I shudder to think of where I would be now had I put aside my testimony because someone in the past or present committed human error, after all the gospel is perfect so why would I leave it due to someone else’s mistake? I was fortunate to have a mother who taught me to move forward if the Holy Ghost is leading me; to keep my eyes, mind and heart on the Savior so acutely that when doubts do creep in as a result of something I read or hear, I do not hesitate to keep on my path. As I have climbed such mountains, I was given peace of mind.

We must always remember that in any organization and history thereof, one will find a great amount of good. However, a foundation that has good intentions will always have mysteries, speculations, hearsay, misconceptions, and mistakes, all of which lead to contention and division– a complex recipe for chaos that is the adversary’s favorite dish to serve. Why? Because it is an endless cycle he can draw us into that will occupy our thoughts to the extent that we become consumed, our minds and hearts twisted until we find our testimonies slipping away. At that point we are no longer focused on the Gospel and he has won.

The peoples of the past were like the people of today are; human beings, most of whom had good intentions but made mistakes along the way. Those people have the same right to forgiveness as we do. It is wrong for us to condemn them or the Church for any errors that may have occurred. If the Savior can forgive them then we most certainly can and should. In these times it is vital to keep our focus on the Gospel today so that we can magnify it and enrich the lives of others through it. My focus remains on the Gospel, spreading the pure love of Christ, and moving forward because all will be well if we just follow Him.