Each week when I wrote to our son who served in the Arizona, Tucson Mission, Spanish Speaking, I would pray about what scripture would help him as a thought for the week. One week in particular after sending the scripture, I knew that the scripture was meant as much for me as it was for him. This scripture was Helaman 5:12. This also happened to be his Mission President’s choice for “The Scripture of the Week” for their mission.
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 fail.
Our Heavenly Father’s promises are sure! His word is true. All the good that is on the earth is for our benefit; that we may return to Him. He is not a wish granter. He does lifts us, strengthens us, guides us, and blesses us. We often have to go through trials full of winds, hail, and storms, yet, the Lord is with us. If we build ourselves “upon the rock” after the pattern of the Savior and not only believe in Him but believe Him we cannot fail.
I contrasted this scripture with a few scriptures from that week’s Gospel Doctrine’s/youth lesson. Helaman 6:27 – Helaman’s son, Nephi, is teaching the Nephites. He tells them that the secret oaths of the Gadianton robbers did not come from preserved records but came into the heart of Gadianton and other wicked ones from “that same being who did plot with Cain, that if he would murder his brother Abel it should not be known unto the world.” The question that I asked my class is how many of you know that Cain killed Abel? Did the adversary keep his promise? No, The father of all lies, lied.. The adversary does not support his own buts wants them to be dragged down “to an entire destruction, and to an everlasting hell.” – Helaman 6:28
Be aware of the adversaries counterfeits. Do this by reading the scriptures each day – they are a source of truth and safety.
My challenge to you and me is this: Spend time in the Book of Mormon everyday along with whatever other book of scripture that you may be reading. This will strengthen your foundation, keep you on the right path (even if it us uphill), and help you “build upon the rock”.