Saturday, April 5, 2014

Continually Holding Fast

This was a great talk!  I loved Elder Hamilton's reference to Lehi's dream of the people he saw along the path to the Tree of Life.
... the Book of Mormon prophet Lehi shared a vision with his family where he “saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which [he] stood.
“And … they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.
“And … there arose a mist of darkness; … insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.”
Lehi then saw a second group that was “pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.” Unfortunately, “after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed” because of those in “a great and spacious building” that “were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come … and were partaking of the fruit.” These people then “fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.”2They were unable, or perhaps unwilling, to endure to the end.
There was, however, a third group that was not only successful in reaching the tree of life, but they afterward did not fall away. Of these, the scriptures say that they pressed “forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.”3 The rod of iron represented for this group of people the only safety and security that they could find, and they held fast continually; they refused to let go, even for something as simple as a Sunday afternoon ride in the country.
Elder Hamilton goes on to explain how we can be like that third group.
Continually holding fast to the rod means that whenever possible we attend our Sunday meetings: sacrament meeting, Sunday School, and priesthood or Relief Society meetings. Our children and youth attend their respective meetings in Primary, Young Men, and Young Women. We should never pick or choose which meetings we attend. We simply hold fast to the word of God by worshipping and attending our Sabbath meetings.Continually holding fast to the rod means that we strive to keep all of God’s commandments, to have daily personal and family prayer, and to study the scriptures daily.Continually holding fast is part of the doctrine of Christ as taught in the Book of Mormon. We exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, change our hearts, and then follow Him down into the waters of baptism and receive the confirming gift of the Holy Ghost, which serves as a guide and comforter. And then, as Nephi taught, we “press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ” until the very end of our lives.

It has always been impressed upon us as a family.  While living in Baltimore we were richly instructed by a spiritual giant of a Stake President.  He stressed to the members that we (even the Bishopric members) should attend all our meetings on Sunday.  It is a question asked of us in the temple recommend interview.  

It is easy I suppose to sit in the foyer of church and catch up with friends and family, to try and have a quick presidency meeting or to gather last minute preparations for our lessons during Sunday School. I've seen this in the many wards and branches we've attended through the years.  Its sad really.  There is so much to learn and share in Sunday School!

Sacrament Meeting for our family has been easy in some places to attend and in others a little more difficult depending on the ages and dispositions of our children.  But we've made sure that even during those difficult times, that our children know how important Sacrament Meeting is to us.  Even if we're sitting in the foyer so our disruptive children don't disrupt others, they know that just because we're sitting out doesn't mean we don't whisper and sit reverently.  And that training was so hard to do while they were young, but it has totally paid off!!

10 comments:

  1. President Spencer W Kimball stated in the Oct. 1978 conference: " We too are faced with powerful destructive forces unleashed by the adversary. Waves of sin, wickedness, immorality, degradation, tyranny, deceitful ness, conspiracy, and dishonesty threaten all of us. They come with great power and speed and will destroy us if we re not watchful. But a warning is sounded for us. It behooves us to be alert and listen and flee from evil for our eternal lives. Without help we cannot stand against it. We must flee to high ground or cling fast to that which can keep us from being swept away. That which we must cling for safety is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our protection from whatever force the evil one can muster. An inspired Book of Mormon prophet counseled his people: "Remember that it is upon the Rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation ; that when the devils shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind , yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo.". Helaman 5:12

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  2. In the hymn Nephi Seer of Olden Times it states :
    To Nephi Seer of Olden times
    A vision came from God
    Wherein the holy word sublime
    Was shown an iron rod.

    While on our journey here below
    Beneath temptation's power
    Through mists of darkness we must go
    In peril every hour.

    And when temptations power is nigh
    Our pathway clouded o'er
    Upon the rod we can rely
    And heaven's aid implore

    Hold to the rod, the iron rod
    Tis strong and bright and true
    The iron rod is the word of God
    Twill safely guide us through.

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  3. President Uchtdorf in the April Presidency message of 2014, talked about the parable of anchors. He stated: " Adversity can come as a great storm to blow us off course and threaten to cast us against the rocks . But sometimes, we are also in danger when everything appears to be safe- the winds soft and the waters smooth. In fact we can be in the greatest when we are drifting and movement is so slight that we scarcely notice it. Anchors must be solid, strong and well maintained to be ready when needed. In addition, they must be attached to a foundation capable of bearing the weight of opposing forces. Of course the gospel of Jesus Christ is such an anchor. It is prepared by the Creator of the universe for a divine purpose and designed to provide safety and guidance to His children."

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  4. Elder welder Bateman at the Oct. Conference of 1992 stated: " the Savior told the Prophet Joseph Smith that it is possible to hear His voice and know His words through the scriptures. 'For it is by My voice which speaketh them unto you, for they are given by My Spirit and by My power. You can read them one to another. Wherefore you can testify that you have heard My voice and know My words.' (DC 18: 34-36). Holding fast to the iron rod will bring us safely to the tree of life. The word of God, living prophets and the scriptures which point people to Christ. Nephi said that those'who hearkening and hold fast to the word of God will never perish.'"

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  5. President Boyd K Packer stated: " If you hold to the iron rod, you can feel your way forward with the gift of the Holy Ghost, conferred upon you at the time you were confirmed a member of the Church. The Holy Ghost will comfort you. You will be able to feel the influences of angels as Nephi did and feel your way through life. At your baptism and confirmation, you took hold of the iron rod. But you are never safe. It is after you have partaken of that fruit that your tests will come. You will be safe if you look like and act like an ordinary Saint, dress modestly, attend your meetings, pay tithes, take the sacrament, follow your leaders, read the scriptures, study the Book of Mormon and pray- always pray. An unseen power will hold your hand as you hold to the iron rod."

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  6. Sister Ann digb in the October Conference of 2009 stated : " Heavenly Father has not left us alone during our mortal probation. He has already given us all the 'safety equipment' we will need to successfully return to Him. He has given us personal prayer, the scriptures, living prophets and the Holy Ghost to guide us. At times using this equipment may seem cumbersome, awkward and horribly unfashionable. It's proper use requires our diligence, obedience and persistence. But I for one, choose to use it. We must all choose to use it. In the scriptures we learn about another key piece of safety equipment - a rod of iron. Disciples of our Savior, Jesus Christ are invited to hold on to the rod in order to find their way to eternal life."

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  7. Sister Dibb continued: " It is important to note, however, that in the scriptures there are very few stories of individuals who lived in blissful happiness and experienced no opposition. We learn and grow by overcoming challenges with faith, persistence and personal righteousness. I've been strengthened by President Thomas S Monson's endless confidence in our Heavenly Father and in us. He has said: ' Remember that you are entitled to our Heavenly Father's blessings in this work. He did not call you to your priviledged post to walk alone without guidance, trusting to luck, on the contrary, He knows your skill, He realizes your devotion and He will convert your supposed inadequacies to recognized strengths. He promised: " I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left and my Spirit shall be in your hearts and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."'

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  8. In section 11 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord tells Hyrum Smith: " Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments,yea with all your might, mind, and strength; Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men. Build upon my rock which is my gospel.". The obligation that rests on every missionary - and all of us are missionaries- is to obtain His word. That is the rite of passage to the condition where one is ready, through the Spirit, to declare His word. First obtain, then declare.

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  9. Sister Ann Dibbs at the Oct. 2009 Conference said" Heavenly Father has not left us alone during our mortal probation. He has already given us all the 'safety equipment' we will need to successfully return to Him. He has given us personal prayer, the scriptures, living prophets and the Holy Ghost to guide us. At times using this equipment may seem cumbersome, awkward and horribly unfashionable. It's proper use requires our diligence, obedience and persistence. But, I for one one, choose to use it. In the scriptures we learn about another key piece of safety equipment- a rod of iron. Disciples of our Savior, Jesus Christ are invited to hold on to this rod in order to safely find our way to eternal life."

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  10. Sister Dibbs in the same talk stated that " It is important to note, however, that in the scriptures there are very few stories of individuals who lived in blissful happiness and experienced no opposition. We learn and grow by overcoming challenges with faith and persistence and personal righteousness. I have been strengthened by President Thomas S Monson's endless confidence in our Heavenly Father and in us. He has said:' Remember that you are entitled to our Heavenly Father's blessings in this work. He did not call you to your priviledged post to walk alone without guidance, trusting to luck. On the He knows your skill, He realizes your devotion and He will convert your supposed inadequacies to recognized strengths. He has promised " I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts and mine angels round about you to bear you up.".

    ReplyDelete