it is in the doing

"It has been said, that for evil to prevail, it is only necessary for good people to do nothing."

I taught a lesson last week in church on the subject "FEAR NOT TO DO GOOD." A talk given by Henry B. Eyering, and as I was studying through a few different talks related to this one, I came across this quote above from the talk "Do we trust him, hard is good." given by Stanley G. Ellis ... and it hit me like a TON OF BRICKS.  I think because I am guilty of doing nothing.. or getting distracted.. when I have felt like I should do something. Isn't this Satan's most powerful tool these days? To get good people to do nothing? Maybe I am not doing anything bad, but what am I doing productive? or helpful to those around me? I feel like there is so many distractions these days, from social media, to tv series, pinterest, the list goes onnnn there are so many things that can steal our time that aren't necessarily bad things.

There is hope though! We can find the balance. Yes there is a lot of evil in the world, but there is SO MUCH GOOD too!! There are SO MANY people to look up to who are "do'ers" who are fighting for the positive, the uplifting, the kindness, and the good. It made me really want to make a goal to be a "do'er", to fight to not let evil prevail. To follow promptings that I get, and to do my very best. That is all that is asked of us right? To be our best selves. not comparing our best to someone else's, but to honestly DO all that we can to make a positive, good, influence in the world.

These are just a few notes from the lesson that I want to rememeber. 

Quote #1

“Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.

Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

“Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.

Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven”

(D&C 6:33-37)

Quote #2 “Whoso recieveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand, and your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (D&C 84:88)

Elder Stanley G. Ellis “Do we Trust Him? Hard is Good.

A Dangerous World

Our world today is difficult. We have rampant evil, corruption in every nation, terrorism reaching even safe places, economic collapse, unemployment, disease, natural disasters, civil wars, despotic leaders, and so on. What should we do? Do we flee or fight? Which is right? Either choice can be dangerous. It was dangerous for George Washington and his armies to fight but also for our pioneer ancestors to flee. It was dangerous for Nelson Mandela to struggle for freedom. It has been said that for evil to prevail, it is only necessary for good people to do nothing.⁴

Fear Not!

In whatever we do, we should not decide nor act out of a spirit of fear. Truly, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7). (Do you realize the idea of “fear not” is emphasized throughout the scriptures?) The Lord has taught me that discouragement and fear are tools of the adversary. The Lord’s answer to hard times is to go forward with faith.

"It is in the doing not just the thinking, that we accomplish our goals." -Thomas S. Monson