What's Your Verse?

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said unto Samuel, 

look not on his countenance, or on 

the height of his stature; because 

I have refused him: for the LORD 

seeth not as man seeth; for man 

looketh on the outward appearance, 

but the LORD looketh on the heart.

My Thoughts

Helaman 5:12

And now, my sons, remember, 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 devil 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, because of the rock upon 

which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a 

foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

I have had the experience of grieving for several people in my life who have chosen to leave the Church. In fact, I have had the experience of going through my own period of doubt and uncertainty and personal apostasy. It has taken me these experiences to really come to terms with the idea that the path of discipleship is not easy. It was not meant to be easy. It will never be easy. 

Helaman makes it clear in his admonition to his sons that they will experience profound adversities, that the "mighty storm [of the devil] shall beat upon you" and that absolutely nothing will preserve them from his grasp except being built upon the foundation of Christ. 

I am uncertain why this level of intense, sustained adversity escaped my expectation before. But I now know that it is only when we have faithfully passed through the temptations and adversities of the devil that we can truly be called disciples of Christ. If we are to follow Christ, we must pass through our own set of personalized trials, as he passed through His. 

Thankfully we will not be subject to the same depth and breadth as He was, but we will be asked to endure everything of which we are physically, emotionally, and spiritually able, knowing all the while that we will not be tested above our personal threshold (Alma 13:28 ; 1 Corinthians 10:13).

Satan has been called "the prince of this world."

“So powerful was he in the Master’s day that the Master referred to Satan as ‘the prince of this world,’ but he added, ‘the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.’ (John 14:30.) We must be able to say, though the power is evil on every side, ‘As for me and my house, we shall serve the God of this land.’ The prince of this world is coming to tempt every one of us, and the only ones who will stand through these evil days are those who have founded their houses upon the rock, as the Master said: when the storms descended and the winds blew and the rains came and beat upon the house, it fell not because it was founded upon the rock. That is what the Lord is trying to say to us today.” (Harold B. Lee in British Area Conference Report, Aug. 1971, p. 135.)

It is an interesting title "the prince of this world." I think sometimes we tend to imagine Satan as a nuisance who pops up and wreaks a little havoc when God is not paying attention. Then when we look around we are surprised and we ask, "How can a just and loving God allow this?" 

We are misinformed. 

We are here living under "the prince of this world," who, though unlawfully, has the (temporary) power, ability, and motivation to wreak his havoc openly. We are safe from him only to the degree that we align ourselves with the True King of Kings. It is after the trial is over that Satan will be bound and no longer reign upon the earth. Until then, we need to be aware of the very real danger we are in, and seek the appropriate shelter. 

We have been blessed though. He has not left us comfortless. Darkness cannot coexist with Light. When we maintain the companionship of the Holy Ghost, we have the strength and guidance to endure. Personal temptations are lessened and made bearable. Our mortal pains and difficulties are put into perspective. We are brought to Christ and made safe though him. 

Through the wind and the storm and the hail, we become stronger. We grow and improve. When we come unto Him, we also become like Him, in degrees, here a little, and there a little. We are able to not only endure, but to also become refined and better versions of ourselves.

"The journey of discipleship is not an easy one. It has been called a “course of steady improvement.” As we travel along that strait and narrow path, the Spirit continually challenges us to be better and to climb higher. The Holy Ghost makes an ideal traveling companion. If we are humble and teachable, He will take us by the hand and lead us home." ("What Lack I Yet?", by Elder Lawrence in the October 2015 General Conference)

"The journey of discipleship is not an easy one."

Be wary. Satan also coaxes, flatters, soothes and uses a flaxen cord (2 Nephi 26:22). He impersonates, and he counterfeits. His approaches are many, and though not all of them are loud, they are unrelenting.

Build your foundation in Christ. Only He can keep you and lead you safely home.

Why I Chose This Verse

Helaman 5:12

And now, my sons, remember, 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 devil 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, because of the rock upon

which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a

foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

I am not usually good at remembering actual scripture references. I tend to remember the words and sometimes need to look them up in the index to find out where they actually are. As I was thinking through the scriptures I wanted to use for the week, I was thinking in terms of the words and phrases that make them up. I had several that I was considering, including this one. 

When Sunday night came, I was still undecided, so I said a short prayer to ask if there was one I should focus on specifically. In my mind, came "Helaman 5:12" almost immediately. Because I am not always good with references, I had to actually go and look it up before I knew which one it was. 

It was a simple experience, but also a testimony to me that prayers do get answered, and that the Spirit has the power to bring all things to our remembrance. This includes scripture references. 

Cross Reference

Helaman 5:12

And now my sons, remember, 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 devil 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, because of the rock upon 

which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a 

foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

rock:

Psalms 71:3

Matthew 7:24 (24-27)

D&C 6:34

Moses 7:53

TG Cornerstone

TG Rock

foundation:

 Isaiah 28: 16 (14-17)

Jacob 4:16

storm:

Alma 26:6

3 Nephi 14:25 (25, 27)

 Excerpts from Spiritual Whirlwinds by Neil L. Andersen

 given during the April 2014 General Conference

"In nature, trees that grow up in a windy environment become stronger. As winds whip around a young sapling, forces inside the tree do two things. First, they stimulate the roots to grow faster and spread farther. Second, the forces in the tree start creating cell structures that actually make the trunk and branches thicker and more flexible to the pressure of the wind. These stronger roots and branches protect the tree from winds that are sure to return.

You are infinitely more precious to God than a tree. You are His son or His daughter. He made your spirit strong and capable of being resilient to the whirlwinds of life. The whirlwinds in your youth, like the wind against a young tree, can increase your spiritual strength, preparing you for the years ahead."

"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."

In Context

Helaman 5:12

And now, my sons, remember, 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 devil 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, because of the rock upon

which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a

foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

In this Helaman Chapter 5, Nephi, who used to be a judge in the land, gives up his political appointment to go preaching repentance through the land with his brother Lehi. The reason he does this is interesting. Verses 2-3 say:

"For as their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted. 

Yea, and this was not all; they were a stiffnecked people, insomuch that they could not be governed by the law nor justice, save it were to their destruction."

It then recounts the words of his father, Helaman, who tells them that he gave these brothers their names to remind them of their first parents who came out of Jerusalem, and to remind them that they were good, and that they should likewise be good. 

Helaman gives his testimony of the Savior, saying that only through Christ and his atonement can men be saved. He would come to redeem his people from their sins, but not in their sins. The only way he has power to redeem is through the power of repentance.

Insert verse 12.

Nephi and Lehi remember the words and devote themselves to preaching throughout the land. They speak with great power and have success in turning both Nephites and Lamanites to repentance. 

They are afflicted, thrown into prison, go hungry and attempts are made to execute them. 

They are surrounded by angels and protected. A cloud of darkness falls among the people while a pillar of fire surrounds Nephi and Lehi. 

A voice is heard calling the dissenters to repent. Verse 30 describes the voice:

"And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul" 

The voice comes again commanding them to repent, and again a third time, adding in marvelous things which cannot be uttered. 

The people ask what they need to do so that the darkness will lift. They are told they must repent and cry unto the voice until they have faith in Christ. 

They do so, and the darkness disperses and is replaced with a pillar of fire surrounding every soul. They are filled with joy.

In verse 47 they hear the voice saying:

"Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world."

When they look to the heavens from where they heard the voice, they see angels who come minister unto them. They are told "to go forth and marvel not, neither should they doubt" in verse 49.

They go forth and minister and bring about the conversion of the more part of the Lamanites, who then lay down their weapons of war and yield up the lands of the Nephites to them.

What's Your Verse?

Helman 5:12

And now, my sons, remember, 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 devil 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, because of the rock upon 

which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a 

foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

My Thoughts

Alma 5:26

And now behold, I say unto you, my

brethren, if ye have experienced a

change of heart, and if ye have felt

to sing the song of redeeming love,

I would ask, can ye feel so now?

In C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters, he has a letter (#8) talking about spiritual undulations. It is natural for there to be troughs and peaks in our spiritual lives. In my verse, Alma is asking whether you can feel the same joy you felt when you're heart was first converted. In my experience, the answer will sometimes be "No." 

My own change of heart was a pretty strong experience. I have been a part of the Church all my life. I was baptized when I was 8, and I went to church every Sunday. But attending and being converted are two very different things. I was converted on September 4th, 2013. That is when I experienced my change of heart, and sang my song of redeeming love. This is what I wrote in my journal that day:

" 'Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow, how they grow.

Consider the birds of the sky,

how they fly, how they fly.

He clothes the lilies of the field.

He feeds the birds of the sky,

And He will feed those who trust Him,

And guide them with his eye.

Consider the sheep of His fold,

How they follow where he leads.

Though the path may wind across the mountains,

He knows the meadows where they feed.

He clothes the lilies of the field.

He feeds the birds of the sky,

And He will feed those who trust Him,

And guide them with His eye.

Consider the sweet tender children

Who must suffer on this earth.

The pains of all of them He carried 

From the day of His birth.

He clothes the lilies of the field,

He feeds the lambs in His fold,

And He will heal those who trust Him,

And make their hearts as gold.' 

Today, I know that God loves me. 'Consider the Lilies' is my anthem, and one day, I want it sung at my funeral. I feel like it was written just for me so that I would have a powerful witness of God's love for me. Praise & Glory to God! I love Him!"

I won't tell you all of the details of the intensely personal witness I received (of which this song was a part), but I will tell you it was in response to a desperate prayer a few weeks earlier, "God, do you love me?" I was in the midst of a difficult, almost suicidal, depression when I gave that raw painful call to Him. 

I was not capable of receiving the answer right away. I was too raw, too frantic to feel the gentle nudgings of the Spirit. But during the following days and weeks, a scripture would come to my mind here and there. When I finally went to look them up, I became receptive enough to the Spirit to be led to more scriptures, this song, and to recall some specific experiences in my life. 

At the beginning, I was not thinking of my prayer, I was just acting on the impressions I was receiving. But when I was open enough to receive all the impressions, the response came to me that this was the answer to my prayer I had given weeks earlier. The feeling of Godly love came so swiftly and so strongly that I was overwhelmed. I cried, and I sang in my heart a song that had no words. 

I will never forget that day, and I do not believe I will ever forget that God lives and that He Loves Me. 

Back to Screwtape.

"He will set them off with communications of His presence which, though faint, seem great to them, with emotional sweetness, and easy conquest over temptation. But He never allows this state of affairs to last long. Sooner or later He withdraws, if not in fact, at least from their conscious experience, all those supports and incentives. He leaves the creature to stand up on its own legs-to carry out from the will alone duties which have lost all relish. It is during such trough periods, much more than during the peak periods, that it is growing into the sort of creature He wants it to be. Hence the prayers offered in the state of dryness are those which please Him best. ... He wants them to learn to walk and must therefore take away His and; and if only the will to walk is really there He is pleased even with their stumbles."

So, will we always feel the emotions we did at the time of our conversion? No. Even if we are doing everything right, the same thrill and intense emotion that accompanied that change of heart will not always be present. It cannot be if we are to be tested and to grow and improve. 

So why does Alma ask if we "can feel so now"? I have found that simply remembering my experience bolsters my testimony and gives me the strength to act. I can still "sing the song of redeeming love" through my thoughts and actions even if I'm not at the height of emotional intensity I was when I first experienced my change of heart. I believe that continuing to sing, even when it is difficult is pleasing to Him. 

It is when we stop singing, when we stop acting, and it is when we allow our self to doubt that we are in danger. It is when we forget. It is when we feel less and less willing to act on those rapturous revelations that we turn away.

"Can ye feel so now?" 

I would like to think that this question does not imply that we should be feeling ecstatically joyful every day in our life. I would like to think that this question implies that if we retain the feeling of willingness to act as we did in the beginning, we are on the right path.

Can you feel the same level of conviction and determination now that times are trying? Or do you require that emotional high to remain "spiritual"?  

Keep feeling the conviction. Keep feeling the willingness. Choose to act and the joy will come. Do not expect the joy to come before you act. The joy will return and light your way once again if you are faithful. And if you are faithful to the end, the joy will be eternal.