The truth is, we’ve got a lot of problems in society. And if you’re anything like me, it can be a little bit overwhelming to come up with solutions at times. Take, for example, the evil of communism and tyranny. How can we counteract their effects? Run for president? Build a nation-wide liberty group? Start a revolution?
Like I said, it can be overwhelming at times. But recently, while watching The Hobbit, some of Gandalf’s words struck me.
“Some believe that it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”
I agree 100% with that quote. It’s really the everyday things that matter most. Simple things like holding a door open, smiling at and greeting someone, letting the other driver go first, and “agreeing quickly with thine adversary.” (Matthew 5:25)
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Along with the Bible, we believe the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, to be scripture. Alma 37:6 reads: “Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.”
One great example of this included in The Book of Mormon is found in Alma 62:40. At this point, the Nephites were becoming more and more wicked, similar to what we are seeing today. However, they were spared from the wrath of God. Why? Verse 40 reads: “And there had been murders, and contentions, and dissensions, and all manner of iniquity among the people of Nephi; nevertheless for the righteous’ sake, yea, because of the prayers of the righteous, they were spared.”
Notice what saved the Nephites from immediate destruction. It was not a large and mighty force. No, it was the simple prayers of the few righteous remaining.
Problems are nothing new and nothing to be afraid of. And as long as we keep praying, smiling, and looking to God, we will be alright in the end. Just keep doing the small and simple things, and sooner or later, evil will be conquered.
