Continuing with Elder Robert D. Hales’ talk (see Part 1 or the complete talk ‘Stand Strong in Holy Places’) from April 2013… We are not authorized to negotiate the conditions of that eternal plan. Remember Nehemiah, who was charged with building a wall to protect Jerusalem. Some wanted him to come down and compromise his position, but Nehemiah refused. He was not intolerant of others; he simply explained, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease … ?”8
Sometimes we become the lightning rod, and we must “take the heat” for holding fast to God’s standards and doing His work. I testify that we need not be afraid if we are grounded in His doctrine. We may experience misunderstanding, criticism, and even false accusation, but we are never alone. Our Savior was “despised and rejected of men.”9 It is our sacred privilege to stand with Him!
Ironically, standing strong sometimes means avoiding and even fleeing from the world. The Savior declared, “Get thee behind me, Satan.”10 Joseph of Egypt ran from the temptations of Potiphar’s wife,11 and Lehi left behind Jerusalem and took his family into the wilderness.12
Be assured that all of the prophets before us stood strong in their day:
Nephi performed the curious work of the Lord despite the buffetings of Satan and the persecutions of Laman and Lemuel, his brothers.13
Abinadi testified of Christ in the face of suspicion, scorn, and certain death.14-Mosiah 11-17
The 2,000 stripling warriors defended their families against those who despised gospel values.15 Alma 53, 56-58
Moroni raised the title of liberty to preserve his people’s families and religious freedom.16
Samuel stood on a wall and prophesied of Christ’s coming while rocks and arrows were assailing him.17 Helaman 13-16
The Prophet Joseph Smith restored the Savior’s gospel, sealing his testimony with his blood.18 D&C 135
And Mormon pioneers stood strong in the face of withering opposition and hardship, following a prophet in their great trek and settlement of the West.
These great servants and Saints of God were able to stand strong because they stood with the Savior. Consider how the Savior stood strong:
As a young man, Jesus faithfully went about His Father’s business, preaching the gospel to the learned men in the temple.19 Throughout His ministry, He accomplished the work of the priesthood—teaching, healing, serving, and blessing and lifting others. When appropriate, He boldly stood against evil, even cleansing the temple.20 He also stood for truth—whether with words or with dignified silence. When the chief priests accused Him before Caiaphas, Jesus wisely and courageously refused to respond to untruth and held His peace.21
In the Garden of Gethsemane, our Savior and Redeemer did not shrink from drinking the bitter cup of the Atonement.22 And on the cross He suffered again to do His Father’s will, until at last He could say, “It is finished.”23 He had endured to the end. In response to the Savior’s perfect obedience in standing strong, our Heavenly Father declared, “Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name.”24
My beloved priesthood brethren young and old, let us glorify God’s name by standing strong with our Savior, Jesus Christ. I bear my special witness that He lives and that we “are called with a holy calling”25 to participate in His work. “Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.”26 Standing obedient and strong on the doctrine of our God, we stand in holy places, for His doctrine is sacred and will not change in the social and political winds of our day. I declare, as did the Apostle Paul, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, [behave] like men, [and] be strong.”27 This is my fervent prayer for you in the holy name of Jesus Christ, amen.
