You might recall a wonderful black and white movie from the
early 1950s, The Day the Earth Stood Still, with Michael Rennie playing the part of Klaatu, an
extra-terrestrial humanoid type being who came to visit Earth. Don’t confuse this movie with the
environmental alarmist garbage movie made in 2008 that had the same title.
After circling the globe at phenomenal speeds (bear in mind
that in 1951 when this movie was made 4,000 mph was considered beyond our
capabilities), everyone was glued to their broadcast radio station headed
toward the Mall in Washington ,
D.C.
As the movie unfolded, the alien’s spaceship having landed
with media outlets covering the event along with most every available military
unit on hand ‘just in case’ the alien wasn’t friendly…where was I… Oh, yes, there appeared an opening in the
spacecraft as a ramp presented itself to everyone’s unified gasp of
hysteria. Every weapon in the Army was
trained on the alien as he ventured onto the ramp holding some unknown object
out from his body.
Ka-blam! A shot rang
out striking the object and injuring the alien visitor. The soldier who fired the shot was simply too
frightened of the circumstances and accidentally pulled the trigger. He’d been told all his life to be afraid of
the unknown and his reaction almost got the alien killed. The object that he’d been holding was an
interstellar encyclopedia, for lack of a better term, a means of understanding
the mysteries of the universe that mankind had been seeking ever since leaving
the safety of the cave.
It’s been a long time since viewing that movie so I can’t
remember exactly how the scene was presented or the order it was shown;
however, Klaatu looked at the destroyed object and remarked how important that
item was, how it was intended to help all mankind. There was a look of disappointment on his
face that said more than words could express.
Why do I bring this scene of an old Sci-fi movie up
today? Good thing you asked; I was about
to explain that.
Yesterday I posted a comment on a friend’s Facebook page that
contained my testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of
Mormon being the word of God. Instead of
thanking me for sharing something personal and of great spiritual value; the
comment was erased, as if it had never been shared.
There was no explanation given, no text message asking me to
buzz off, no reply to my email inquiring what happened. My first thought was of anger; but that
quickly changed to one of sadness. I’d
offered something that had been in the making for thousands of years and
protected by the Lord Himself to be brought forth in our day; but instead of
learning or reaching out to accept the gift it was tossed away like an unwanted
Kleenex.
While watering the garden this afternoon, back in the
recesses of my mind came the image of Klaatu looking at the object which had
been destroyed, the galactic encyclopedia of science secrets that had been
prepared for all the Earth.
The loss of information doesn’t have to be permanent; but
for now it is unavailable to anyone who doesn’t see the value of a gift, much
less a gift from an old friend. Perhaps
one day…
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