Devotional: "But if not"

Elder Maxwell, in October 2002 General Conference shared the following:


"Regarding trials, including of our faith and patience, there are no exemptions—only variations (see Mosiah 23:21).These calisthenics are designed to increase our capacity for happiness and service. Yet the faithful will not be totally immune from the events on this planet. Thus the courageous attitudes of imperiled Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego are worthy of emulation. They knew that God could rescue them. “But if not,” they vowed, they would still serve God anyway (see Dan. 3:16–18)."


We are here to be stretched, not to glide safely along, avoiding any challenge or responsibility we desire, as to not risk failure or to be removed from our comfort zone. Fearful of the unknown, we shy away from what an increased capacity may bring and what we may be called to do as a result. Elder Maxwell comments on this in an address given in April 1985 General Conference:


"Sometimes, our holding back occurs because we lack faith or we are too entangled with the cares of the world. Other times, there is in us an understandable tremulousness which slows our yielding, because we sense what further yielding might bring."


To seek comfort and safety in this context is to forfit Eternal Progression. Instead we choose to follow the erroneous plan Satan proposed in the Council in Heaven: To think that our Salvation is secured by merely showing up but not participating.  Alas, we are called to choose, as we have been given agency. In not choosing to submit ourselves to the Lord, by our inaction, we instead choose to follow the false sense of safety and security of the adversary in idleness. We are here to be tried and tested as is shared in Mosiah 3:21:


"Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith."


Returning to the quote we began with, "But if not" are powerful words of devotion and commitment from Daniel and his friends. The Lord does not promise us that we will never feel pain, risk death or always be free from suffering. As we surrender ourselves to the Lord, we gradually come to be willing to give all, even our lives because of our love of the Savior, his Gospel.Our obedience becomes a symbol and token of that love. That being said, one cannot be motivated simply out of a desire to please others, whether friends or family, or in the idea that one will recieve something out of it as a result. Instead, the motivation comes from an unconditional and abiding Love personally developed for and a relationship established with the Savior.


Elder Maxwell continues in the original talk referenced and speaks to this relationship  and the blessing of it:


"Therefore, we can be troubled on every side, but nothing can really separate us from the love of Christ (see 2 Cor. 4:8; Rom. 8:35–39); worldly anxieties are not part of being 'anxiously engaged'(D&C 58:27). Even so, as Peter urged, we can and should cast our cares upon the Lord, because He surely cares for us! (see 1 Pet. 5:7). Oh, brothers and sisters, the awaiting emancipation of such trusting surrender!"


One final thought from Elder Maxwell:


"Besides, unless we are filled with resolve, what will we say to the heroes and heroins of Martin’s Cove and the Sweetwater? That 'we admire you, but we are reluctant to wade through our own rivers of chilling adversity'?"


I am inspired by the legacy of the pioneers, their faith and devotion. But what have we done with that Legacy and all that I is provided to us and we are given access to and inspired by as a result? To live life without resolve is to live one that is empty and lacks meaning. It is like being a ghost. One cannot stand on the sideline of life as a spectator but must instead live in such a way as to be able to say, "But if not." In so doing we will recieve all that the Father has.