By John Bonney of Springfield, Oregon USA
He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
The moon was so full this morning it looked as if it would burst. There it hung, slowly creeping toward the western horizon. It appeared like a great burnished button, shedding a slight orange glow. I was mesmerized. Then I was lost in wonder of what lies “out there.”
The morning moment was identified as 05:15:00. The sky to the east was still dark. Thus the radiance of the salmon moon I beheld was not diluted. But I knew that to the east there was the sun, there below the horizon, there behind the hills. It was sending its dazzling light in a manner I could not view other than to see the effect on the lunar orb. I stood in wonder as I realized that the unseen sun was reflecting light rays off the surface of the moon—somewhere out there, somewhere back there behind me.
I thought to myself, “What a wonder! What a solar-lunar wonder! What a solar system! What a universe! What a magnificently creating emergence that allows us humans to live, to live and breathe.” At the same time I am sorrowful because not all have the opportunity to recognize the wonders of this earth, this solar system, this galaxy, this universe.
I would kneel and pray thanks for what I experienced but my aging knees and equally aging legs would probably not cooperate. And if I did find myself on my knees, I know the tears would flow on behalf of those of this earth who have little or nothing in just about every category of living. But I also recognized that if anything were going to be done to assist the billions that need assistance, it would have to be us—we human beings who take so much for granted.
Oh my! What a gift we have been given to be able to make a difference for good! The greater good is always made of much smaller units of just plain and simple good deeds. Like, uh, oh yes, that guy in ancient Galilee. Yes, like him. Then we can all look at the moon and sun’s reflection in any place on this earth and say WOW!
Prayer Phrase
“In his hand is the life of every living thing” (Job 12:10).
Trees
Watch the trees outside your window for a few moments. Close your eyes and meditate on Alma’s words about seeds and trees. If you were to plant and grow the Word of God in your heart, what tree might symbolically represent this process? Imagine a seed as it grows into a tree of life and blessing. Ask God to show you how to begin (see Alma 16:152–173).
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.