When my husband and I were first married there was a storm that was like none I had ever seen in my life. My husband had grown up on Omaha were there were tornadoes and said that it was like a small tornado, but we never had those in Utah where I grew up. This was called a "micro-burst". It was so strong it took out trees whose trunks were as big as our car. I remember looking out our front window in awe at the sight of all the downed trees. It took several days to cut, clear, and remove all the fallen trees in the city. There were a surprising number of trees in the cemetery that had fallen down in the strong storm. It was because the ground would get watered frequently to keep the grass green and the roots didn't grow as deep. Those trees were moved out of the ground which were supposed to be deeply planted, but they weren't.
As I have thought about this and my own life, a couple of things have come to mind. One thought is: "Be not moved" (D&C 87:8; Colossians. 1:23). I ask, be not moved from what? Because the winds blow (3 Nephi 14:27) and we need to be able to stand and not be moved. So, "be not moved" from what, especially when the world is moving at such a "frantic pace" (Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf)? And how can we make sure we won't be moved?
We must be "grounded and settled" (Colossians. 1:23) which means we must be "established and steadfast" (see Colossians. 1:23 ft.note b) in our faith in Jesus Christ. We must not let the winds of trouble, pain, anxiety, worry, fear, or doubt let us be moved. These are all forms of fear which are contrary to faith. They cannot exsist in the same sphere as faith. Faith and fear are not friends. Fear weakens faith. Faith lifts and strengthens and helps us be "established and steadfast" in truth. We must not be moved from truth, but seek truth.
"Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come" (D&C 93:24) not as we see them or think they should be, but as they really are, from God's perspective. Being grounded and settled in the truths of the gospel helps us be not moved, but "sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works" (Ether 12:4) even when the winds of the world are howling about us, trying to "shake us from the faith" (Jacob 7:5). It can be difficult at times to be "grounded and settled" in truth when we know something is right and we are the only ones standing for that truth. But it is vital that we do so, for our families, for our children, for ourselves that we aren't "shaken in mind" (2 Thessalonians 2:2). President Thomas S. Monson said: "The philosophies of men surround us. The face of sin today often wears the mask of tolerance. Do not be deceived; behind that facade is heartache, unhappiness, and pain. You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that. The character of transgression remains the same. If your so-called friends urge you to do anything you know to be wrong, you be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone. Have the moral courage to be a light for others to follow. There is no friendship more valuable than your own clear conscience, your own moral cleanliness- and what a glorious feeling it is to know that you stand in your appointed place clean and with the confidence that you are worthy to do so" (Examples of Righteousness). "Be not moved away from the hope of the gospel" (Colossians 1:23). It is an incredible source of joy, peace, and happiness that will be "an anchor to the souls of men (and women)" (Ether 12:4) as we exercise our faith in Christ, even if we stand alone.
Another thing to "be not moved" from is "holy places" (see D&C 87:8). Some holy places are the temple and our homes. "Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness"(Bible Dictionary). (Those not of may faith can click here to learn more about what we do in the temple.) Our homes can and must be a place of safety from the world. A place where our children know they are loved and protected and provided for, both physically and spiritually. These are holy places. We are also called "the temple of God"(1 Cor. 3:16), therefore, we must keep ourselves holy by "letting virtue garnish [our] thoughts unceasingly, then shall [our] confidence wax strong in the presence of God" (D&C 121:45). We must keep our thoughts elevated and focus on the "goodness of God" (see Mosiah 25:10) which helps us give thanks, which affects our attitude, which affects our conduct, which helps us "be not moved" and "cleave to that which is good" (Romans 12:9), "that which is of God" (Moroni 7:13; D&C 50:24) and thereby keeps our "temple" clean and holy.
As we are "grounded and settled" in our faith in Jesus Christ we are able to "be not moved" in the truths of the gospel and we are happy because, just as Paul said of his conversion: "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and so count them but dung, that I may win Christ" (Philippians 3:8) Everything else, before being converted to Christ, was "but dung" to Paul. Our lives, because we have Christ and follow Him and are "grounded and settled" in Him are worth everything. We can "be not moved" in our faith in Him...because this I testify, "[We] can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth us" (Philippians 4:13).
No comments:
Post a Comment