(Intro) PUNKS AND CANDY:
Imagine one day someone says to you "Hey! Yo! I own you now. Could you go work in that candy factory for me, and give me all the money and candy you earn?"
That wouldn't seem right, would it? It's completely unfair, unjust, and unnecessary.
Well, in the 1800's people were having this kind of problem. Not that some random punks were making other people give them candy, but slavery was being practiced across the nation.
A lot of questions may arise when discussing points of slavery, a few of which I'd like to address.
What makes something 'unjust' in the first place? How can we as people reason what is fair, and what is not?
WE HAVE POWER TO DECIPHER:
Well, a long time ago, we were all once spirits. We were divine, and were endowed with something called intelligence. That means we could reason. That gift distinguishes us from any other creature.
With this gift, we can monitor what is right and wrong. This common sense, this light of Christ, is in us all.
Natural law revolves around that reasoning power. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness are rights that we should all be entitled to, and for the most part, we are.
But, it wasn't always that way. The practice of slavery obviously encroached upon all of those rights.
WHAT ABOUT RESTRICTED RIGHTS?
Enter with me into the heart of such a human being. Imagine feeling like your essence was owned by another. Your fate is in someone else's hands, and what's worse, it's not your fault. Imagine the cruelty, injustice, and sense of restriction you would feel.
To me, that would probably be one of the worst, if not the worst kind, of emotion you could ever have.
In Uncle Tom's Cabin we see examples of those feelings and the sense of complete darkness and loss.
But there's also a very prominent other side to things. What about Tom? He was 'owned' and sold and went through a lot of brutality and abuse as well, and yet, he had a light....
Is it it possible to have something to hold on to even in when you seem to be living inside hell itself?
IS IT POSSIBLE?
I believe it is possible. Tom was an example of that. His light came from the peace that comes from the Love of God and living true to that love.
But where did he find love? In the jaws of suffering, inside the cage of restricted action, living the meaning of unjust force itself, where did Tom find love?
He found it in the constant, devoted, unfeigned actions of unselfish giving and endless service.
He emulated the love he felt from God, and therefore had that spirit of true freedom always in his heart.
But if that love was so powerful, and if God is so good, why would he let this kind of suffering happen?
If men are that they might have joy, why is there such sadness?
WHY IS THERE SADNESS IF GOD WANTS US TO HAVE JOY?
In
2 Corinthians 8:2 it says:
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.Ether 12:6
And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.SO ARE WE HERE TO SUFFER?!
I don't believe this is saying that we're all here on this earth to suffer and have trials. We are here to witness joy, but without the hard things, we wouldn't be able to experience the beauty of true happiness.
The Lord lets bad things happen, because without them there would be no joy.
So, am I implying that slavery was a good thing, because it helped us value the price of freedom? NO! Not necessarily. Slavery was horrible in every possible way. What I'm trying to say is that, opposition, however abominable, is all part of God's plan- yes the plan of happiness.
ATONEMENT IS KEY:
The atonement was the act that balanced the forces of mercy and justice. Through that, we can be sanctified and have the true peace and Love of God which we can share with others.
(Conclusion:) WE CAN CONQUER!
We may not have random punks making people work for candy, but there are many injustices happening in our world right now, and with that sanctifying Love of God, we can be like Uncle Tom and help others find that love for themselves.
As we are conquers of corruption and devoted disciples of Christ, we can worthily say: "What a thing 'tis to be Christian!"
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