Continuing from Ronald A. Rasband and his book “Be Not Troubled” and a previous post. . .Create Fortress of Spirituality and Protection II:
We make and renew Covenants by partaking of the Sacrament and by worshiping in the Temple. Whether we’re worshiping in a church building or at home under the direction of bishops and stake presidents or branch and districts presidents, the sacrament is the centerpiece of our Sunday worship where we are receiving the promise to always have his Spirit to be with [us]” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77). With that sacred ordinance, we commit to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ, to follow Him, and to shoulder our responsibilities in this divine work He did. In the Temple or while doing family history work, we lay aside the things of this world: (Doctrine & Covenants 25:10)) and feel the Lords presence and transcendent peace. We can focus on our ancestors, our families and eternal life in the presence of our Father. No wonder President Nelson stated . . . in Rome, “The good that will emanate from this temple is incalculably great” (in Tad Walch, “President Nelson refers to Apostles Peter, Paul during Rome Temple Dedication.” Deseret News, Mar. 10, 2019).
We should have integrity in all that we do. We should develop discernment and discipline so that we do not have to continually determine what is right and what is wrong. We should take to heart the words of Peter, the early Church Apostle, who cautioned, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaming lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). As we diligently strengthen our fortifications we become like Jesus Christ, as His true disciples, with our very souls in His protection.
Your testimony of Jesus Christ is your personal fortress, the security for your soul. When my great-grandfather and his fellow pioneers built the Heber fort, they put up one log at a time until the fort was ‘fitly framed together” (Ephesians 2:21) and they were protected. So it is with testimony. One experience at a time we gain a witness from the Holy Spirit as He speaks to our own spirit, “teaching “truth in the inward parts” (Psalm 51:6). When we live the gospel of Jesus Christ, when we draw upon the Savior’s Atonement and press forward with faith, not fear, we are fortified against the wiles of the adversary. Our testimonies connect us to the heavens, and we are blessed with “the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). And, like pioneers protected by a Fortress, we are safely encircled in the arms of the Savior’s love.
The prophet Ether taught, “Wherefore, who so believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.” (Ether 12:4)
May you be blessed as you go forth with confidence in the Lord and in His gospel. Put your arms around those who stumble and, with the strength of the Spirit in you, lead them lovingly back to the fortress of spiritually and Protection. Seek “to be like Jesus” in all that you do (“I’m trying to be like Jesus,” Children’s Songbook, 78); shun evil and temptations; repent, as we have been admonished by our dear Prophet; be honest in heart; be upright and pure; show compassion and charity; and love the Lord your God with the devotion of a true disciple.
Our testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ, our homes, our families, and our membership in the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be our personal fortresses of protection surrounding and shielding us from the power of the evil one. ~~~Elder Ronald A. Rasband. of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Be Not Troubled (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2020), p.47-49 For the first post of this series click. . . .Create a Fortress of Spirituality and Protection.
