How Firm a Foundation

I had never particularly loved the hymn "How Firm a Foundation". It was fine but nothing special to me. I didn't really like the music and never paid much attention to the lyrics. Recently, however, I have heard a lot of people talk about how much they love this hymn. We even had a whole lesson dedicated to it in Relief Society a couple weeks ago. Members of the ward, including the current and former bishops, shared experiences of when the words of this hymn strengthened them and "caused them to stand". We sang the words to the tune of "Away in a Manger" because some feel that the current tune sounds too much like a march. It was beautiful, and I was able to focus more on the words. I have typed up my favorite verses below. As a sidenote: I always thought we were the ones speaking in the last verse - "I will not, I cannot desert to his foes" and that we will never forsake God. But God is speaking in the rest of the hymn. Why not in the last verse? To the soul that has sought rest and peace in Jesus Christ, God says, "I will not, I cannot desert to his foes". And even though all hell will shake, God will never forsake that soul. I believe that.


Fear not, I am with thee; oh be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'erflow,
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and they gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake!

The Dawn will Break Brightly

I put together this quote and picture – the picture being of the pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley after months of toiling westward, and the quote being from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk, “Like a Broken Vessel”, about Major Depressive Disorder. (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng).

When the darkness around me seems impenetrable and never-ending, I feel that God is distant – that he has forsaken me.

This quote assures me that we can trust in the Lord, knowing that he has not forsaken us, though he may feel distant. He loves us and plans to lead us out of our sorrows into the breaking dawn, eventually.

And who knows but that those dark times were and are for our good. As the scripture says, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:11).

The child of righteous desire may receive for reward most bitter trial.

The Salvation of Pain

Hi all, I’m James Messina, brother of Danielle Sabey. We have all been invited to contribute to the posts on this blog so here I go with my first blog post. Wish me luck!

Today in stake conference (a large church meeting) I was reminded of a favorite talk of mine and so I thought that I would just share some of the reasons why I enjoy it so much.

The talk is one by Loren C. Dunn

(found on lds.org at https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1974/04/hanging-on?lang=eng&query=shallow+roots)

He starts with an analogy of two trees in his backyard. One was planted close to a rich and frequent water source and so became a beautiful tree in that protected environment. The other tree was far from a consistent water source. It was exposed to the elements in a harsher way. It was forced to send its roots deep into the ground to obtain sufficient nutrients to survive. It was a large tree, though gnarly and tough. Here's my mental image of the situation:

One day, a great storm passed through, full of intense wind. The storm uprooted the tree that was close to the water source. Its roots were shallow, never having had to seek too far for water and nutrients. The second tree withstood the storm. It’s deep roots and firm constitution caused it to remain strong through the storm.

In reference to the tree that was planted in a more challenging environment, and therefore survived the storm, he says, “In the lives of each of us come these trials—trials of all kinds which shake us to the very core and cause us to explore to the very depths our ability to hang on…I see in many people this same kind of beauty. Adversity and trial have driven the roots of faith and testimony deep in order to tap the reservoir of spiritual strength that comes from such experiences. By nature they know how to stand and fight and hang on.”

I find this very meaningful. Especially since the trials in my life have caused me such pain and anguish, that I’ve often been lead to the mindset that I was better off before and that somehow I was being punished for no reason to suffer. Like a tree, I felt that I was growing better before I was moved to the harsh environment. I have been bitter and angry.

Actually, though, the trials in our lives are fantastic blessings! They are a blessing of sublime love from our Father in Heaven. For it is ONLY through difficulty and adversity that we obtain firm spirituality and conversion, thus being able to experience deeper and lasting joy. We don’t typically bring trials upon ourselves but God ordains and sends certain trials to us. All we have to do is remain faithful amidst the trial. Then, when the storm comes, we will be prepared. God prepares us.

I know that we all experience great trials in our lives that “shake us to the very core,” and for that I have great empathy. I only hope that we can find some peace as we realize that it is ONLY through those very trials that we deepen what we know and who we are. Every trial we receive is necessary for our salvation.