How U.S. Grant became a great general
As we approached the brow of the hill from which it was expected we could see Harris’ camp, and possibly find his men ready formed to meet us, my heart kept getting higher and higher until it felt to me as though it was in my throat. I would have given anything then to have been back in Illinois, but I had not the moral courage to halt and consider what to do; I kept right on. When we reached a point from which the valley below was in full view I halted. The place where Harris had been encamped a few days before was still there and the marks of a recent encampment were plainly visible, but the troops were gone. My heart resumed its place. It occurred to me at once that Harris had been as much afraid of me as I had been of him. This was a view of the question I had never taken before; but it was one I never forgot afterwards. From that event to the close of the war, I never experienced trepidation upon confronting an enemy, though I always felt more or less anxiety. I never forgot that he had as much reason to fear my forces as I had his. The lesson was invaluable.
Filed under: Birkenhead Drill,Deseret Review | Tags: courage, LDS, leadership, man, manliness, Mormonism
Adam Greenwood
January 26, 2011
Its the same way some young men go on missions and other young people get married or go to school–we lacked the courage to say no. And the result is the same as with Grant–we are becoming men, even great men, in God’s grace, as a result. Most of us would like to think that our salvation is due to our own choice, but ultimately we owe it mostly to Christ and a little bit to social expectations and peer pressures and our parents and what looks like happenstance. Not to say that we won’t each have our Garden of Gethsemane moment, but getting there isn’t our own doing for the most part.
I bet that our fear of Satan is like Grant’s fear of Harris. Going into a bishop’s office to confess and repent seems like such a big deal until you do it, and that you say, is that all? That was nothing, I should have done this long ago. Same with our other fears. Satan is a powerful, fearsome foe, greater than any of us, but the day comes I think when we finally, fully, unreservedly turn to face him and he dissolves into air. That’s part of what President Monson meant at conference when he said that living the gospel 100% is easier than doing it 98%.
Vader
January 26, 2011
Indeed. I had honestly not thought of applying this to myself, perhaps because standing by while a crazy Moff blows up an entire planet not make one great.
I went on a mission because I didn’t have the courage to tell God no, however much I disliked the prospect myself. And it was God, not my parents or girlfriend, I was afraid to say no to. “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” Best decision I ever made.
You’re right. That’s been true of a lot of my better decisions.
There has to come a point where you do the right thing because it’s the right thing, not because you fear to tell God no. God can bring this about a couple of ways. One is to permit Satan to make you fear to say “yes”, which is a big part of the solution to the problem of evil. Another is to say, in effect. “This would be a great thing to do. But I don’t command you to do it.” I think I’ve had that experience, too.
I’ve muffed a lot of these opportunities. Which is why I’m not taking off the armor or otherwise measuring myself for a halo just yet.