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| Remember....Remember |
In "The Chronicles of Narnia" there is the book, "The Silver Chair"
by C.S. Lewis. The more I listen to the dramatized version of this
series, the deeper I understand how inspired this "children's series"
really is. I re-learned something very valuable.
Aslan is telling a young girl named Jill how she is to
find the heir to the throne. He gives her very specific signs to look
for. He asks her to repeat them because they are very important for
success in their journey. She can only remember a little, and it is in
the wrong order. He asks her again and corrects her when she messes up
again and again. Before she sets on her journey, he says this:
"Remember,
remember, remember the signs. Say them to yourself when you wake in the
morning, and when you lie down at night, and when you wake in the
middle of the night. And what ever strange things happen to you, let
nothing turn your mind from following the signs. And second I give you a
warning. Here on the mountain I have spoken to you clearly, I will not
often do so down in Narnia. Here on the mountain the air is clear, and
your mind is clear. As you drop down into Narnia, the air will thicken.
Take great care that it does not confuse your mind. And the signs which
you have learned up here will not look at all as you expect them to look
when you meet them there. That is why it is important to know them by
heart and pay no attention to appearances. Remember the signs, and
believe the signs. Nothing else matters. And now daughter of Eve,
farewell."
I have felt similar feelings while during sacrament
meeting or after visiting the temple. The life hits and it is so easy to
forget. Enter...the brain flatulence.
When we are
called to stand before our Father in Heaven to account for our obedience
(or lack of) the answer, "Uh, I forgot." Sorry ladies (and gents) it
just won't fly.
One of the things we have been told over and over, is the
wise counsel to set some money aside for a rainy day and to get and
stay out of debt. In fact, that is the message this month written by
President Monson. It is wise counsel. If you haven't seen your Home
Teachers this month, you can find that message here:
https://www.lds.org/liahona/
There
are two paragraphs that is nothing new, but easily overlooked when the
air is thick where we might live (not much smog here, but thick with
other things). Here they are:https://www.lds.org/liahona/
“Latter-day Saints have been counseled for many years to prepare for adversity by having a little money set aside. Doing so adds immeasurably to security and well-being. Every family has a responsibility to provide for its own needs to the extent possible.
“We encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. We urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt. Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from this bondage. Save a little money regularly to gradually build a financial reserve.”
Only you can create a budget for your family. Only you can follow that budget for your family.
Lets take a quick look at some of the things that happened in the late 20's before the stock market crash.
- Over exuberance -- > Are we seeing that today? Are there people borrowing more than they can feasibly pay back because of a possibility?
- False expectations" --> Are we seeing that today? Do we see people counting their eggs before they hatch?
- Buying on credit --> Are we seeing that today? We even see countries borrowing from other countries on credit...what can happen to the people if the borrower defaults?
- Mismatch between production and consumption --> Our country used to produce more than it consumed...that is no longer the case.
- Agriculture recession --> Because of new mass production, the little farmer guys couldn't compete and they lost income drastically. What about small businesses today?
- Weaknesses in the banking system --> Are we seeing that today? FDIC only means so much if there was a true crisis.
Follow the signs. Follow the prophet. Remember, remember, remember.
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