Do You Pray for ISIS?

While attending my religion class last Thursday I made the following observation to my discussion group, "Isn't it inspiring how diligent the men in the Book of Mormon were in preserving a record that wouldn't be saved for their immediate posterity to read, but for those of their enemy? All the work and sacrifice to engrave and maintain the history of your people, to benefit another people who hate you." A fellow classmate responded, "it's kind of like us going out of our way to bless ISIS' lives."
What? ISIS?
Am I capable of wanting the best for ISIS? 
Do I desire their salvation?  
With these thoughts in mind my scripture study became a little more focused. 
In Enos 1: 13, Enos prays for the Lamanites' salvation and he's not just thinking of the now but future generations to come. He's praying for a people who he describes in verse 20 as, "their hatred being fixed (against the Nephites), and they were led by their evil nature that they became wild and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people...". The Lamanites are constantly going to war with the Nephites, desiring to exterminate them no matter the cost. The Lamanites have been indoctrinated with such hate from the beginning, directly from the mouths of their fathers, that this loathing becomes an obsession. 
Sound familiar?
Yet again, in Jarom 1:2 we find another obedient man informing us that, "these things are written for the intent of the benefit of our brethren the Lamanites...".
Their actions remind me of the verses in Matthew 5:44 and 3 Nephi 12:44 where it states: "...love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you."
Ashamedly, I have never thought to pray for ISIS. Ever. I've prayed for the innocent Syrian refugees and for the other victims inflicted upon but not once have I thought to consider the salvation of the enemy. Not once have I felt the "pain and anguish for their souls" as described in Mosiah 25:11. 
And I still have a hard time wanting to.
But I also know that prayer is powerful. Prayers and obedience to the Lord's commandments can change the world. I believe with all my heart that, "...Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it." (Enos 1:15)
It sounds so simple doesn't it? And maybe we won't see the benefits for hundreds of years to come, but tonight I am going to pray for our Enemy. 

Strike a Pose

So, remember how we mimic the paused picture on the television? -

this may be the best pose ever. 

Way to brave it Lou and Moo!

Fall Fun

The Zoo

Just in case you needed a picture of my pal the anteater,

 here he is. :)

This is the female anteater - we don't know each other as well because she's been on maternity leave. Do you see the little baby on her back? Adorable.

 Here are my boys trying their hardest to lay their own babies in this giant nest.

Just another day being tough, standing on a komodo dragon. 

The Annual Lap-a-thon at school

Little C - eager as always to have his picture taken :)

The Lou-Dog working hard but still looking fly.

Ruckus multitasking while eating a hot dog and walking at the same time.

Moo forgot he liked to participate in the lap-a-thon so he just practiced his balancing near the playground.

The baby doing headstands in the middle of the field. 

Then she went on to socialize with a new girlfriend.

She basically owned the joint. She's cool like that. :)