by Ezra Taft Benson
(Ezra Taft Benson. Conference Report, April 1967)
Nearly two thousand years ago a perfect man walked the earth: Jesus the Christ. He was the son of a heavenly father and an earthly mother. He is the God of this world, under the Father. He taught men truth, that they might be free. His example and precepts provide the great standard, the only sure way, for all mankind. He became the first and only one who had the power to reunite his body with his spirit after death. By his power all men who have died shall be resurrected. Before him one day we all must stand to be judged by his laws. He lives today and in the not too distant future shall return, in triumph, to subdue his enemies, to reward men according to their deeds, and to assume his rightful role and to rule and reign in righteousness over the entire earth.
Nearly two hundred years ago, some inspired men walked this land of America—not perfect men, but men raised up by the Perfect Man to perform a great work. Foreordained were they, to lay the foundation of this republic, the Lord’s base of operations in these latter days. Blessed by the Almighty in their struggle for liberty and independence, the power of heaven rested on these founders as they drafted that great document for governing men, the Constitution of the United States. Like the Ten Commandments, the truths on which the Constitution was based were timeless; and also, as with the Decalogue, the hand of the Lord was in it.
They filled their mission well. From them we were endowed with a legacy of liberty—a constitutional republic.
But today the Christian constitutionalist mourns for his country. He sees the spiritual and political faith of his fathers betrayed by wolves in sheep’s clothing. He sees the forces of evil increasing in strength and momentum under the leadership of Satan, the archenemy of freedom. He sees the wicked honored and the valiant abused. He senses that his own generation faces Gethsemanes and Valley Forges that may yet rival or surpass the trials of the early apostles and the men of ’76. And this gives him cause to reflect on the most basic of fundamentals, the reason for our existence. Once we understand the fundamental purpose for mortality, we may more easily chart a correct course in the perilous seas that are engulfing our nation.
This life is a probation: a probation in which you and I prove our mettle, a probation that has eternal consequences for each of us. And now is our time and season—as every generation has had theirs—to learn our duties and to do them.
The Lord has so arranged things in this life that men are free agents unto themselves to do good or evil. The Lord allows men to go only so far, but the latitude is great enough that some men promote much wickedness and other men much righteousness.
Clearly, there would be little trial of faith if we received our full reward immediately for every goodly deed, or immediate retribution for every sin. But that there will be an eventual reckoning for each, there is no question.
So long as Man Stands for Freedom, He Stands with God
The Lord is displeased with wickedness, and he will help those who oppose it. But he has given all of us freedom to choose, while reserving for himself our final judgment. And herein lies the hope of all Christian constitutionalists. Why? Because the fight for freedom is God’s fight, and free agency is an eternal principle. It existed before this world was formed; it will exist forever. Some men may succeed in denying some aspects of this God-given freedom to their fellowmen, but their success is temporary. Freedom is a law of God, an eternal law. And, like any of God’s laws, men cannot break it with impunity. They can only break themselves upon it. So as long as a man stands for freedom, he stands with God. Therefore, any man will be eternally vindicated and rewarded who stands for freedom.
Men receive blessings by obedience to God’s laws, and without obedience there is no blessing. Before the final triumphal return of the Lord, the question as to whether we may save our constitutional republic is simply based on two factors: the number of patriots and the extent of their obedience.
That the Lord desires to save this nation that he raised up, there is no doubt. But that he leaves it up to us, with his help, is the awful reality.
There is a time and season for all righteous things, and many of life’s failures arise when men neither take the time nor find the season to perform their eternal duties. What, then, in this time and season may best equip us to save our Christian constitutional legacy, while at the same time rescuing our own souls? May I humbly submit six suggestions:
1. Spirituality.
Religious Freedom
Christians Help Christians with Medical Bills, Refuse Obamacare
Are you a Christian who regularly attends church? Then, why are you allowing yourself to be victimized by the Leftists and railroaded into Obamacare? It may be "politically correct" in this country to insult and persecute Christians, but we don’t have to pay for the abortions of those who insult us. For over two thousand years, Christians have helped others, no matter what their faith, or lack of it. We have a golden opportunity to practice our faith by helping other Christians.
Many Christians are leaving the insurance market to join healthcare sharing ministries. Members pay for one another’s medical bills. These groups, though not technically insurance, oversee networks where thousands of monthly “gifts” cover members’ eligible medical expenses. When the day comes that you need help, your fellow Christians are there to help you pay for your medical bills.
Your monthly cost will be lower, especially for families. You won’t be paying for birth control pills, abortions, abortion-producing drugs, or alcohol or drug-related health issues or accidents.
There are three major health cost sharing programs in the U.S.A., with approximately 180,000 individual members. Study each one carefully. Monthly costs vary, as do benefit maximums and methods to increase them. Pay close attention to their provider networks, to see which program works best for you. All of them are based on Biblical principles.
Christian Health Ministries.
This Christian-led company has been in business for 30 years. In the last 20 years, Christian Health Ministry members have shared more than $1 billion in medical bills. The ministry is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Even their most expensive Gold plan is only $150 per month per insured. Families pay $450 per month, no matter how many children are in the family. Click HERE for more information.
Samaritan Ministries International.
In operation for nearly 20 years, Samaritan Ministries International is the largest bill-sharing faith based program with over 82,000 individual members. Click HERE for more information.
Christian Care Ministry/Medi-Share.
Based in Melbourne, Florida, this group has a community of over 70,000 members. Since 1993, Medi-Share members have shared more than $800 million in healthcare expenses. Click HERE for more information.
See also:
America is Great, because America is Good
Dr. Ben Carson at Values Voter Summit 2013.
“America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” Alexis de Tocqueville.
Pray for Christians Persecuted Worldwide: International Day of Prayer
Over the last two years, there has been a sharp increase in violence against Christians. See Not Forsaken, published in WORLD magazine. Much of the world’s Christians cannot practice their faith without fear of church burnings, torture, incarceration, humiliation, and death. Most of this persecution has been at the hands of Muslims. See Christians Being Persecuted all Over the World.
As Jamie Dean writes in Not Forsaken, persecuted Christians believe in the Power of Prayer. They will pray openly today, November 4, even at the risk of violence. They believe that condemned pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was released from his prison in Rashi on September 8, 2012, because church members around the world prayed for his release. Prayers were repeated in emails, on FaceBook, and Twitter. He was facing a death sentence for his crime of "apostasy against Islam."
The New Underground Railroad: North Korean Refugees Find Help from Christian Rescuers
A recent article in WORLD magazine titled "The New Underground Railroad" by Marvin Olasky describes how Christians are willing to take huge risks in order to help desperate North Koreans flee from their country. North Korean border guards do not hesitate to shoot people in the back as they’re crossing the border.
A communist regime run by totalitarian dictator Kim Jong Un, North Korea keeps its citizens in the dark in more ways than one. From a satellite view at night, it is virtually completely black, devoid of electricity. The regime also seals its citizens from any knowledge outside its well patrolled borders. Merely being caught talking on a cell phone is punishable by death.