They That Be With Us

Reading:   2 Kings 6

The unseen veil between mortality and the spirit world is always an exciting subject.  I have had occasion in my life where that visual barrier has been somewhat lifted and, as a result, my faith in God and the reality of a "bigger picture" has been cemented.  My book, Bouncer, deals with a lifting of the mortal veil and, although it is a fictional story, I can't help but embrace the reality of guardian angels and even spirits of a darker nature.  They do exist.  We cannot see them but they are there and as real as the sunrise.

Because of my experiences and personal belief, I found great excitement in this chapter and a rising of the neck hairs, if you will.  A war between Israel and Syria loomed and Elisha interceded a bit with some advice to the king of Israel.  This advice allowed the Israelites some ability to evade the grand army of Syria and therefore frustrated the king of Syria.  The king figured out Elisha's role and decided to squelch his advice by surrounding his dwellings with his vast army.  This maneuver greatly concerned the servants of Elisha as it appeared they would be overcome and destroyed; but Elisha had no worries whatever...

2 KINGS 6:15-17

15    And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 

16    And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 

17    And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 

Did you feel it, the raising of the neck hairs?  Intense right?  The veil, the mortal blindness, was lifted from the young man and he could see the spiritual armies of God vastly outnumbering the army of Syria.  I am certain an army of warriors and countless chariots of fire are there for us as well.  Gordon B. Hinckley, a modern day prophet, testified of this truth also...

This Church, I submit, is far more than a social organization where we gather together to enjoy one another’s company. It is more than Sunday School and Relief Society and priesthood meeting. It is more than sacrament meeting, more even than temple service. It is the kingdom of God in the earth. It behooves us to act in a manner befitting membership in that kingdom. 

You men who hold the priesthood have such a tremendous responsibility. You must avoid the sultry siren voice of the world. You must rise above it. You must stand in the stature of the priesthood of God. You must eschew evil in all of its forms and take on the nature of goodness and decency, letting the light, the divine light, shine through your actions. 

There is no way that a home can be a place of refuge and peace if the man who resides there is not an understanding and helpful husband and father. The strength to be gained from our homes will make us better able to face the world, more acceptable to the society in which we move, more valuable to those who employ us—better men.

I know many such men. It is evident that they love their wives and their children. They are proud of them. And the marvelous thing is, they are tremendously successful in their chosen professions. They are magnified and honored and respected. 

And to you women. I spoke at length to the women of the Relief Society a week ago. That talk represented my heartfelt views concerning you. You too can take on the luster of Christ. You too can be strong and encouraging and beautiful and helpful. 

I remind all of us that we are Latter-day Saints. We have made covenants with our Heavenly Father, sacred and binding. Those covenants, if we keep them, will make us better fathers and mothers, better sons and daughters. 

I believe that others will rally around us if we will do so. We can stand for truth and goodness, and we will not stand alone. Moreover, we shall have the unseen forces of heaven to assist us. 

~An Ensign to the Nations, A Light to the World (General Conference, October 2003)

There it is.  A prophet of God councils us that "...we shall have the unseen forces of heaven to assist us."  Why then do we fear?  The armies of God are there for us if we but allow faith to work its power within our frightened, mortal, minds.

~Kipling