Fortified in All Things

This week I was reading Alma 43-63 from the Book of Mormon and pondering on which message really stood out to me this time.  There are many things I have learned from these chapters, but this time I feel that the message is to fortify your homes and families against the battles being waged by evil.

In these chapters we learn about Captain Moroni, a great military leader of the Nephite people.  Yet through it all he doesn't enjoy war.  He gets frustrated with his own people for their lack of understanding the cost of preserving their freedoms.  He hoists a flag with what we learn is the "Title of Liberty", it said, "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children".  (Alma 46:12) He went forward with his armor on and flag in hand and called the people to action.

Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty

Moroni didn't just call them to arms, he called them to put their faith in God, because he said they would be destroyed "if we do not stand fast in the faith of Christ." (Alma 46:27)

The enemy in this story is a man named Amalickiah who wanted to destroy the freedom of the people and make himself the king.  "Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God." (Alma 48:7)  Moroni not only strengthened the people spiritually, he prepared the land in a way that these people had never done before.  He had the people "throwing up banks of earth round about to enclose his armies, and also building walls of stone to encircle them about, round about their cities and the borders of their lands; yea, all round about the land.  And in their weakest fortifications he did place the greater number of men; and thus he did fortify and strengthen the land which was possessed by the Nephites." (Alma 48:8-9)

Now, I share these many scriptures because it brings me to what we need to do to fortify our own lives.  What can we do to protect our families against the wars around us not only in material ways, but in spiritual ways as well.

Conquest of Lisbon by Alfredo Roque

Our homes and families are under seige and we need to do as Moroni did and build up our banks of love, and our forts of prayer, our walls of gospel standards.  Our watchmen and soldiers as our prophets, parents and church leaders.  We can put on the armor of God as well.

Ephesians 6:10-2

My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

 President Spencer W. Kimball said in his April 1979 General Conference address, "What must we do? We must be constantly alert to their evil presence in our homes and destroy them as we would the germs and filth of disease. We must hunt them from the closets of our minds, freeing ourselves of such worldliness, quenching the embers of wickedness before they become destructive flames. How do we do this?
There is only one sure way and that is through the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and being obedient to its profound and inspired teachings. Surely we must be made to realize that the purchase price of a family hearth free of such evil influences is the keeping of the commandments of God."  (for the full address, "Fortify Your Homes") 

I feel it really comes down to the consistent habit of doing the little things that matter most.  We as a family need to pray, read scriptures, have our family home evenings and good recreation activities done together.  We need to attend our church meetings and build up our faith and trust in God by creating a Christ-centered home.  We need to be watchful as President Kimball said, always on the alert to those things that enter our home that would start to break down our fortifications.  These things could come through media, styles, language, attitude, etc.  Our risks will be diminished as we do our best to strengthen our faith and relationships.

The world is at war.  What will you do to fortify your home and family, "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord". (Joshua 24:15)

 

Where Can I Turn?

I was thinking about my scripture readings for this past week and struggling to internalize what I had read when one day I had a knock come to my door.  There were two men from a different church wanting to share a message.  I have met one of them before as they come around often and I enjoy chatting with them and talking about the scriptures, usually.

This time felt a little different.  I had been a little worn down by some extra stresses in my life and actually didn't want to answer the door, and then when they shared their message it was about what happens when we die and it felt all wrong.  One of them shared their thoughts on what happens to us when we die and gave many scriptures they thought supported this view and I just stood there.  Finally he asked what I thought about all this and if I would like to hear more.  I said that I actually didn't feel peace with the message they shared.  They kept trying more to convince me by reading more scriptures to me and I still just stood there.  When asked again what I thought, I told them that I am sure in what I believe and don't view those scriptures in the same way.  After they left, I felt overcome with the intensity of the conversation.  I had never been in a situation like that before, where it felt like I was being pushed.

Korihor and Alma

As I reflected on this experience I thought of the chapters I had read in the scriptures about the different teachers from different churches.  There was Korihor who taught against Christ's existence and twisted words of prophets and scripture to fit his his views.  Previous to Korihors coming, there had been a time of peace.  When Alma is talking with this Korihor, Alma says in 30:34 that the gospel is preached because it brought joy into their lives.

Zoramites in their Synagogue

I also thought about the Alma's experience when he went among the Zoramite people and found them worshiping in a strange manner.  He went to help the people do what was right because he feared they would rise up and cause a war.  In Alma 31:5 it says " the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God."  Alma had hoped the word of God would have a positive effect on those he went to teach.

This brings me back to my door-step with the two strangers.  They invited me to think about what they had to share.  As I have looked into what they believe, I still don't find the peace and comfort that comes with what I already have and believe.  In my mind I had the question, "where can I find peace that the Lord provides?"  I feel the answer for me has already been found.  I find peace in my heart, I feel light in my mind in the truths I have found in being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint.

Where can I turn for peace?  Only in and through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

I am thankful for learning by study and faith (D&C 88:117) where we can "learn who we are, why we are on this earth, and how we should live in order to enjoy happiness and peace in this life and a fulness of joy in the next." (Gospel Learning)

I know as I listen to the Spirit in my heart I will always be guided to do good and will find peace in my heart, even during turbulent times.

Living Water
By Simon Dewey

Winter Sandland

First of all, I need to share this crazy story. A while ago while we were driving my son exclaimed, "Look! A Dinosaur!" I looked and tried to see a dinosaur picture or statue somewhere and didn't find anything. Months went by and one day we were riding our bikes to school and I looked up and to my surprise I saw a giant dinosaur! Here it is!

Legendary Dino, can you see it?

Here we have to make do with what we have when it comes to making snowmen.  My children are always finding ways to do those winter actiivties even though we have no snow.  Japanese rice ball balloons?  Now they are a snow man. 

To continue the search for winter fun, we decided to visit Sandy Land since we were in the neighborhood.  It has become a fun tradition to go and see these great sand sculptures.

Even though we came to see the Sandy Land sculptures, the children were way more interested in the fountains.  Since it isn't cold, everyone was tempted and drawn to the fountains to dip their feet in.

The great Sandy Land tree.  Perhaps someday we will venture here at night to see it lit up!  It is still really neat during the day.

My crazy for cocoa bunch.  No worry about being frozen when you have cocoa around.

All I can say is either that little boy is "HOT" or the weather is.  I think the weather was pretty HOT!

I don't think I like sand in my ice cream, but this sculpture is pretty fun!  Almost good enough to eat.

We too a little trip under the see and swam with the fish and turtles.  We were treated royally as we too a ride in a dolphin carriage.

The children thought it would be interesting to push this boat over to the water and see how long it would float, or how long until it crumbled.

What are brothers for but to torment their sisters and eat their hands off.

Feeling the ocean spray

Blowing into the water

Mmmm, more cocoa!

Cookie children

Oh no!  Watch out, your going to get eaten!

It was fun to see the decorated boat.  Perhaps someday we will see the parade.

God loves Broken Me

This year has brought about many challenges in our family; financially, physically, mentally, and spiritually.  There have been many moments when we have felt broken and wonder how we can go on, and yet it is in the moments when we are brought so low that we can finally pause to ponder what is most important.

As I went to sleep last night I had this song by Kenneth Cope., that God loves Broken me and all of us.

It is when we are broken that the Lord can make something of us.  I was reading my scriptures in a section about Alma, the high priest over the Nephites, and his companion Amulek, who was a man that had a vision to help Alma and so was converted and became Alma's companion to testify to the people of Amonihah.  These people were in a serious condition of wickedness and ended up doing terrible things to all those that believed the gospel, even to the family of Amulek.

This story stands out to me right now as I ponder about being broken because Amulek was promised his life would be blessed for helping the prophet, and yet in the end he ended up losing all his worldly possessions and even his family and friends.  I have had to stop and ponder what does it mean that Amulek and his household were blessed.  Does that mean that they would live a trouble-free life?  Obviously not, since they ended up enduring terrible trials.  Does that mean they would be blessed with great worldly possessions?  They already were very wealthy and then ended up losing all of it.  So what does it mean to be blessed?  I feel the answer is deeper than anything temporal we may want, it is a spiritual matter.  Amuleks household was blessed; they received the gospel and repented.  Even if they may have lost their lives, they had been blessed to have died in righteousness and thus enabled to return to their Father in Heaven.

How this this make me feel?  Well, I don't want to suffer as Amulek did, but I don't think that will be required of me and so what is required of me is to do my best to continue to live a righteous life even in the face of trials and afflictions.

Though I may feel broken at times, I can turn to God and he will strengthen me.  My trials may not go away, just as Amulek still had to endure his trials and many other faithful disciples of Christ have suffered; but the Savior enables us to endure and to become someone stronger because of the trials we pass through.

Master, with anguish of spirit

I bow in my grief today.

The depths of my sad heart are troubled.

Oh, waken and save, I pray!

Torrents of sin and of anguish

Sweep o'er my sinking soul,

And I perish! I perish! dear Master.

Oh, hasten and take control!

The winds and the waves shall obey thy will:

Peace, be still.

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea

Or demons or men or whatever it be,

No waters can swallow the ship where lies

The Master of ocean and earth and skies.

They all shall sweetly obey thy will:

Peace, be still; peace, be still.

They all shall sweetly obey thy will:

Peace, peace, be still.

 

Master, the terror is over.

The elements sweetly rest.

Earth's sun in the calm lake is mirrored,

And heaven's within my breast.

Linger, O blessed Redeemer!

Leave me alone no more,

And with joy I shall make the blest harbor

And rest on the blissful shore.

 

 Master, the Tempest is Raging

 Mary Ann Baker, ca. 1831-1921

 

Power and Authority

As I was pondering all that I have read in my scriptures this past week and reflecting what I might share, Alma the younger was brought to my mind.  In my readings he had been elected as the first Chief Judge over the Nephites AND he was also ordained by his father, Alma,  as the high priest over the church.

After Alma had served as chief judge for about nine years, he saw that he needed to devote more time to going about among the people teaching the word of God and being in the judgement seat had prevented him from fulfilling that.

Alma takes his journey and teaches the people.  Now this stood out to me that he wasn't just any man going around sharing good inspiring thoughts to the people.  In Alma 5:3 we learn that Alma was the high priest over the church and had "power and authority from God" because he was consecrated by his father who also held that power and authority.

We learn in the Articles of Faith, number 5, "that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof."  Alma was called of God to watch over the saints and he did so with all the energy of his soul.

This short clip is a testimony of Elder L. Tom Perry on the priesthood keys and those who hold the keys of the priesthood:

This fills my heart with joy as I know that we have been blessed to have this authority on the earth, restored through Joseph Smith and it continues on as it is passed down through the laying on of hands.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the restored gospel, it is the same organization as existed back in the days of Jesus Christ and his apostles.  The keys that Peter held are now held by President Thomas S. Monson.

Peter the Apostle holding the Keys of the Priesthood
Carved by Bertel Thorvaldsen

Now that we have the Priest on the earth again, as it was in the days of Peter, what do we do with it.  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf shared a story about a Statue of Christ that was damaged during World War II, the statue was able to be fixed, except its hands.  Under the statue a sign read "You are my hands".  (link to article) Through the power and authority of the priesthood we are able to be the Lords hands and spend our times going about doing good just as the Savior did.

"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." Acts 10:38

I am so thankful for the examples of prophets and apostles living and those who have already passed on.  Their example helps me as I journey through this life and I know that I too can go forward and serve and be the Lords hands to all that are around me.  The power and authority of the priesthood are real; I have felt it in my life.

Spiritual Whirlwinds

For the past two weeks I have been thinking of a talk I listened to during General Conference that gave the visual of a tree being whipped about by winds.  The fibers of the tree grew stronger through the winds and so it was not able to be pulled down.  Whereas a tree that has lived with no opposition to cause it to grow deeper and stronger may grow large and beautiful, but when a larger than normal storm comes, it will fall to the ground because it has not built up the strength to endure.

I searched to remember more about the message from this talk and found it was Elder Neil L. Anderson from April 2014 General Conference.  He shared a story of a woman that lived in a trailer during a large storm where a tornado had come, picked up her trailer, and placed it on top of her neighbors trailer.

Don't be carried away like in the "Wizard of Oz"

With these two message I learn a few things.  First, that trials and opposition come to everyone, but that is okay because we can know that we are being strengthened.  As we conquer each trial that comes, the Lord is making it so we can be stronger and be able to better face the trials ahead.  During these trials, we need to have ourselves anchored to something so that we will not be tossed about by the winds and placed somewhere where we don't want to be, or even hurt because of the trials.  What can we anchor ourselves to that will build our strength and keep us firm and immovable?

 

During my scripture reading this week I read the teachings of Kind Benjamin in Mosiah 1-3.  In chapter three King Benjamin teaches about the atonement of Jesus Christ.  We learn that King Benjamin is prophesying that the Son of God would come and suffer for the pains and afflictions and sins of the world. 

Through Jesus Christ we can be redeemed from all that would separate us from God.  Through the atonement we can become "submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19)

 

This really stood out to me, especially the part that say we would be "willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him".  God is going to test us and try us, and that means that things might be hard.  As we rely on our Savior to be strong and immovable, we will be blessed to overcome these trials.

This is not to say that every trial that comes in our life it something God inflicts on us.  Some trials are the result of living in a fallen world where there is wickedness and corruption; yet again, as we put our faith in Christ he will be our sure foundations that will keep us safe as the winds blow around us.  We may be whipped about on all sides, but we won't be broken because the Lord is our strength.

The Lord is my light; the Lord is my strength.

I know in his might I'll conquer at length.

My weakness in mercy he covers with pow'r,

And, walking by faith, I am blest ev'ry hour.

"The Lord is My Light" Hymn 89, vs. 3 

 

 I know that as I keep the Savior at the center of my life, the whirlwinds of life can rage all about me, but I will not be moved.

My young brothers and sisters, how we love you, admire you, and pray for you. Don’t let the whirlwinds drag you down. These are your days—to stand strong as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ^.

Build more firmly your foundation upon the rock of your Redeemer.

Treasure more completely His incomparable life and teachings.

Follow more diligently His example and His commandments.

Embrace more deeply His love, His mercy and grace, and the powerful gifts of His Atonement.

As you do, I promise you that you will see the whirlwinds for what they are—tests, temptations, distractions, or challenges to help you grow. And as you live righteously year after year, I assure you that your experiences will confirm to you again and again that Jesus is the Christ. The spiritual rock under your feet will be solid and secure. You will rejoice that God has placed you here to be a part of the final preparations for Christ’s glorious return.

-Neil L. Anderson