Although I pray that the leaders of our nation will be blessed with wisdom, understanding, and a determination to do what is right, in this unprecedented era of bankruptcy, bailouts and Obama, I find myself feeling increasingly unsettled and powerless to influence the course of these historic times.

Certainly in answer to another daily heavenly petition … that faith may replace my incapacitating fear … I’ve had three thoughts over the last few days that have helped me feel a greater sense of empowerment and peace.

I. On the final night of our family reunion at Bear Lake, my dad gathered us together for a family home evening. In his brief remarks, he reminded us of the promise found in Mosiah 2:22:

“He has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said.”

Yes, the mortal me may sometimes have a different definition of and timetable for said “prosperity,” but I do believe that the promised blessings will come as I strive to be faithful and obedient.

II. In my parents’ sacrament meeting last Sunday a very well-prepared sister spoke on the importance of teaching our children.  As she shared the following quote by former First Lady, Barbara Bush, I suddenly understood that I am not as politically impotent as the adversary would have me believe:

“Your success as family, our success as a society, depends not on what happens in the White House, but on what happens inside your house.” ~Barbara Bush

And as if in response to the ever-present gnawing that I’m never doing enough as a mother, Sister Binks kindly shared:

“Successful parents are those who have sacrificed and struggled to do the best they can in their own family circumstances” James E. Faust (April 2003 General Conference, emphasis added).

Although I will likely never occupy a seat in Congress, as co-chair of my own little Homeland Security Committee, I truly can help ensure our home is a place of safety and peace and can measurably influence the success of our society.

III. Attending the temple with my dad earlier this week reminded me of the promises of protection and peace contained in the dedicatory prayer offered upon the Kirkland Temple in 1836:

“We ask thee, Holy Father, to establish the people that shall worship, and honorably hold a name and standing in this thy house, to all generations and for eternity;

“That no weapon formed against them shall prosper; that he who diggeth a pit for them shall fall into the same himself;

“That no combination of wickedness shall have power to rise up and prevail over thy people upon whom thy name shall be put in this house;

“And if any people shall rise against this people, that thine anger be kindled against them;

“And if they shall smite this people thou wilt smite them; thou wilt fight for thy people as thou didst in the day of battle, that they may be delivered from the hands of all their enemies” (D&C 109:24–28).

By making the sacrifice to attend the temple more regularly, I will have greater claim to the peace and protection of the sacred covenants I have made.