Chapter 46: Outside Adversity

Outside Adversity can increase our sacrifice level beyond our present control.  The new baby keeps us up for most the night.  A tornado destroys our house.  Our husband loses his job.  Employer isn’t paying enough to cover the bills.  Neighbors telling us we need to control our kids.  One spouse is diagnosed with a major illness.  Elderly parent moves in for long-term care.  In-laws don’t like us.  Voice inside our head telling us we’re a terrible parent and will never amount to much (Yes, this is Outside Adversity even though it’s inside our head).

Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we are protected from being squashed by too much Outside Adversity.  That protection has a first line of defense, which is our Soulmates Marriage.  It is the Forcefield around a marriage of two people nurturing the Sustainable Attraction between each other.  That Forcefield protects both spouses and their children.  When the going gets tough, husband and wife turn to each other for support.  The Peace and Energy that flows between them is enough to sustain their Joy through the hard times.

The second line of defense is our family, friends, and other fellow-believers in Christ.  These are members of our Soulmates Marriage team with whom we have appropriate loving relationships.  This is the purpose of family and organized religion.  The scriptures have referred to these combined relationships as Zion.  A larger Forcefield encircles a group of marriages and families so that Adversity does not have the power to overcome all those inside.  So even if an overwhelming degree of Outside Adversity hits one marriage and family, with the support of their community, they will not be overcome by it. 


A hedge is another metaphor for the Forcefield:
"And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country." ~Mark 12:1

"For God will save Zion...that they may dwell there, and have it in possession." ~Psalms 69:35



The above video clip from the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" demonstrates how a Forcefield provides protection from overwhelming adversity.  This particular Forcefield was created not just by a husband and wife but also by God, family, and a community of people who stick together in friendship.

The third line of defense made possible by of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is our relationship with God.  I’ve listed this behind the first two not because our Savior should be our last resort but because his atoning power is operable through our spouse, our families, and Zion communities first.  Those are safeguards he has placed in the specific position in our lives to be the means whereby we obtain Sustainable Joy, Attraction, and Charity.  They are the framework behind the Forcefield.  But if for some reason the first two lines of defense fail or just aren’t enough for us individually, our Heavenly Father, Savior, the Holy Ghost, and the kingdom of heaven (#Angels) will be there for us.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." ~John 15:5

The key to retaining the above protection, is to take time when things are still going well to develop our relationships with our spouse, family, community, and God.  In order for marriage, family, and a community of fellow-believers to effectively maintain a Forcefield, the Values of God need to be accepted and lived in each of our relationships.  All members need to be allegiant to them, repent when they don't get it right, and forgive when others don't get it right.  That creates a safe place in which to grow while still giving more than ample opportunity for diversity in culture, nationality, talents, and backgrounds.  And in this sense, God is our first line of defense.  When we keep his commandments as our number one priority we are blessed and prospered.  But we need to remember that if we don’t develop these relationships early (meaning now), when Outside Adversity comes, the protection won’t be there.

"And he hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence." ~2 Nephi 1:20

"And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them." ~Moses 7:18