Is danger real?

     These are the days of great spiritual danger for this people. The world is spiraling downward at an every-quickening pace. I am sorry to tell you that it will not get better. I know of nothing in the history of the Church or in the history of the world to compare with our present circumstances. Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds the wickedness and depravity which surrounds us now. Satan uses every intrigue to disrupt the family. The sacred relationship between man and woman, husband and wife, through which mortal bodies are conceived and life is passed from one generation to the next generation , is being showered with filth. Profanity, vulgarity, blasphemy, and pornography are broadcast into the homes and minds of the innocent. Unspeakable wickedness, perversion, and abuse- not even exempting little children- once hidden in dark places, now seeks protection from courts and judges....The sins of Sodom and Gomorrah were localized. They are now spread across the world... The first line of defense- the home- is crumbling. (Boyd K. Packer, Feb 28, 2004, BYU Devotional)
     If that doesn't put a little bit of fear in you, you need to read it again, or maybe ask God if one who has been appointed a prophet, seer, and revelator, is indeed a spokesman for Him. For the first time in many years, Russ and I occasionally watch network tv- mostly Wheel of Fortune, but also some old classic tv shows. As I considered the commercials, I thought about what a press agent or an advertising campaign for God and Jesus Christ might be like. Although there are laws about truth in advertising, no ad agency is above bending the truth a little. The major emphasis is on getting attention and causing a desire for something. Oddly enough, God has appointed press agents of a sort. All those who are willing to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ are given the responsibility to share what they know- to bear their testimony and to repent and to call others to repentance. I mentioned in a previous blog the concept of expectations. Well, God does have expectations of us- at the very least He has hopes  that we will come through for Him. He doesn't really need anybody. He is capable of doing everything and anything. However, He does love us- more than we can even comprehend. He hopes that we care enough about Him and each other to do whatever small and simple thing we can to ensure that we and even one other person returns to be with Him forever. That would make Him very happy.