My friend Aimee wrote yesterday: “Okay, I so have no idea what is going on. However, to hit on Denise’s comment about why people become terrorists, I just read an article in Scientific American Mind entitled “Inside the Terrorist Mind” by Annette Schafer. It was awesome, and only seven pages long. Plus, because of the type of magazine the article assumes that you have a brain, and doesn’t waste space explaining every little thing. I actually highly recommend the magazine, and the article.At one point the article quotes a Chinese maxim: “Kill one, frighten ten thousand.” I understand that terrorist want us all to be afraid. I don’t understand how we are suppose to not be afraid, or is that unrealistic?
I liked my response, so I thought I’d repost it here. “I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” Doctrine and Covenants 38:30As pointed out by Aimee in the Chinese Maxim, the whole thing that terrorists are trying to do is cause terror in our hearts. Cause us to be afraid. The Lord knew this. Their wickedness speaks unto us in a voice that shakes the earth. How so, you might ask. When the Twin Towers fell, this “voice” of these caused the entire world to be shocked. It shook them. I’m sure Troy could tell us about Argentina & Jae about England and others about how things were around the world on Sept 11, 2001. We can talk about how we felt after the England bus bombings or the Madrid bombings. We can talk about how we felt when we heard about the assignation of Bhutto. These things are the loud voices of the terrorists. How do we counter act these? By being prepared; spiritually, emotionally, financially. The Lord also told us to “Prepare every needful thing” (D&C 88:119), He even told us how to do that (read the rest of the verse). Latter-day prophets have further explained how we need to prepare every needful thing. A couple of things come to mind – have a year supply of food storage; read and re-read the Book of Mormon and the other Holy Scriptures; attend your Sacrament and other Church Meetings; pay an honest tithe; give a generous fast offering; attend the Temple; pray daily personally, as a family, and (if you’re married) as a couple. And, the final thing. As you do this in your home and your family, your will begin to remove terror from your life. As you do this, you have an obligation to share this knowledge with others, to help remove terror from their life. It is, of course, their decision if they will accept this freedom from terror and this joy of eternal life. However, it is vitally important that we share it with them and give them the chance so that they can accept or reject it. It is not our duty to decide if they will accept it or not. It is our duty to share.
