Who's On the Lord's Side? - Part 4

Everything comes down to a choice. We can choose to fight with the Lord or fight against Him. The Lord's victory is imminent and sure. "High on a mountain top, a banner is unfurled." (Hymns, #5). Who will carry that banner? Who will rally to the flag of Truth and the army of the Lord? "Hope of Israel, Zion's army, Children of the promised day, See, the Chieftain signals onward, And the battle's in array" (Hymns, #259). "We a war 'gainst sin are waging; We're contending for the right. Ev'ry day the battle's raging; Help us, Lord, to win the fight. Gather round the standard bearer" (Hymns, #258). "The truths and values we embrace are mocked on ev'ry hand. Yet as we listen and obey we know we can withstand" (Hymns, #256).

I think of the recent attacks the Church and members of the Church have withstood because of their support of marriage amendments, especially Prop. 8 in California. Many church members chose to stand for truth and right and have been mocked. They chose to stand on the Lord's side, even as many people ridiculed from the great and spacious building. "Don't stand idly looking on; the fight with sin is real. It will be long but must go on; put your shoulder to the wheel" (Hymns, #252). "Oh, when the war is ended, when strife and conflicts cease, when all are safely gathered within the vale of peace, before the King eternal, that vast and mighty throng shall praise his name forever, and this shall be their song: Victory, victory, thru him who redeemed us! Victory...thru Jesus Christ, our Lord!" (Hymns, #251).

"Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage...and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad...let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers! Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." (D&C 128:22-24).

So, onward, Christian soldiers! Let us choose the Lord. Let us fight His battles and strive for His reward. Let us serve our royal Father and defend truth and right. Let us march on to victory, through the thronging foes; let us sing our Savior's praises and bask in His light. We march on to glory, shielded by the strength of God; we will be victorious and dwell with God on high.