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Something Wicked This Way Comes

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Last updated on: June 27, 2024 at 11:54 am by Dan Peterson

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Something Wicked This Way Comes 2024-06-27T11:54:15-06:00 Dan Peterson

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Two sister missionaries at a door (LDS.org.)

I was mightily unhappy, almost physically ill in fact, when I first came across this story:

I have always deeply disliked Hugh Grant as an actor. Even when I’ve liked a movie in which he starred, I’ve had to like it in spite of his being in it. And, based purely on one old news story involving him, I don’t especially admire him as a person. I doubt that Heretic is going to cause me like him more.

I find the very idea of Heretic viscerally upsetting. But will the film give deranged people deranged ideas? Will it make missionary service, especially for sister missionaries, more dangerous? I don’t know. I hope not, but I suppose that’s a possibility. It’s certainly imaginable.

Two sister missionaries in the Philippines (LDS Media Library)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is sometimes accused of keeping its members in an isolated protective bubble. Sending young men and women out into strange (and often foreign) places to encounter whatever they’ll encounter seems a rather odd way to do that.

Today, I read through Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s remarks at the most recent general conference of the Church, back in April 2024. (See “Motions of a Hidden Fire.”) This passage once again struck me with great power:

Another experience began 48 hours after my wife’s burial. At that time, I was rushed to the hospital in an acute medical crisis. I then spent the first four weeks of a six-week stay in and out of intensive care and in and out of consciousness.

Virtually all my experience in the hospital during that first period is lost to my memory. What is not lost is my memory of a journey outside the hospital, out to what seemed the edge of eternity. I cannot speak fully of that experience here, but I can say that part of what I received was an admonition to return to my ministry with more urgency, more consecration, more focus on the Savior, more faith in His word.

I couldn’t help but feel I was receiving my own personal version of a revelation given to the Twelve nearly 200 years ago:

“Thou shalt bear record of my name … [and] send forth my word unto the ends of the earth. …

“… Morning by morning; and day after day let thy warning voice go forth; and when the night cometh let not the inhabitants of the earth slumber, because of thy speech. …

“Arise[,] … take up your cross, [and] follow me.”

My beloved sisters and brothers, since that experience, I have tried to take up my cross more earnestly, with more resolve to find where I can raise an apostolic voice of both warmth and warning in the morning, during the day, and into the night.

That is a remarkable account. It reminds me of an earlier testimony from the late Elder David B. Haight (1906-2004), also a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I cite here only the introduction to the story, which is well worth reading in its entirety:

The evening of my health crisis, I knew something very serious had happened to me. Events happened so swiftly—the pain striking with such intensity, my dear Ruby phoning the doctor and our family, and I on my knees leaning over the bathtub for support and some comfort and hoped relief from the pain. I was pleading to my Heavenly Father to spare my life a while longer to give me a little more time to do His work, if it was His will.

While still praying, I began to lose consciousness. The siren of the paramedic truck was the last that I remembered before unconsciousness overtook me, which would last for the next several days.

The terrible pain and commotion of people ceased. I was now in a calm, peaceful setting; all was serene and quiet. I was conscious of two persons in the distance on a hillside, one standing on a higher level than the other. Detailed features were not discernible. The person on the higher level was pointing to something I could not see.

I heard no voices but was conscious of being in a holy presence and atmosphere. During the hours and days that followed, there was impressed again and again upon my mind the eternal mission and exalted position of the Son of Man. I witness to you that He is Jesus the Christ; the Son of God; Savior to all; Redeemer of all mankind; Bestower of infinite love, mercy, and forgiveness; the Light and Life of the World. I knew this truth before—I had never doubted nor wondered. But now I knew, because of the impressions of the Spirit upon my heart and soul, these divine truths in a most unusual way.

I was shown a panoramic view of His earthly ministry . . .

Two sister missionaries talking with a man in Georgia. (LDS Media Library)
(LDS Media Library)

Finally, I close with a few chilling specimens that I’ve extracted from the Christopher Hitchens Memorial “How Religion Poisons Everything” File™. Read them at your own risk:

“Podcast: The Relief Society General Presidency on the Blessings of the Global Initiative for Women and Children: The Relief Society General Presidency talks about providing the Savior’s relief through maternal and newborn care, child nutrition efforts, immunizations and education”

“25 Ways to Participate in the Church’s Global Initiative for Women and Children: All are invited to take part in the global initiative by serving in their own spheres”

“Church Supports Tonga’s Breakfast Program for School-Aged Kids: A collaboration between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Tonga’s education ministry is helping provide breakfast for thousands of school-aged children in that island nation.”

“Church of Jesus Christ Extends Aid and Shelter to Volcano Evacuees”

“Church of Jesus Christ Transforms Orphanage in Cote d’Ivoire: Elder Alfred Kyungu presents new and renovated buildings to the Yopougon Attie Nursery”

“After the Storms: Latter-day Saints Aid Recovery Efforts in 2 U.S. Communities: A month after tornadoes caused destruction and devastation, communities in Texas and Missouri have rallied through selfless service”

“Sisters Yee, Browning and Spannaus address public health and minister to Saints in Mexico: Church leaders meet with the Mexican Diabetes Association and visit members in Guadalajara”

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