General Session of Stake Conference
Last General Conference Pres Nelson taught us several things we can do to improve the spiritual momentum in our lives.1 One of the things we need to do is get on the covenant path and stay there.
We have heard in this conference about the joy of repenting which brings us to the covenant path. We have talked about making covenants through baptism, and temple ordinances to get on the covenant path. Those are all wonderful milestones and accomplishments in our life as we make and renew covenants with our Savior. Now we want to ensure that we stay on this path and not stray.
President M Russell Ballard once told a story that is very instructive. He talks of a friend who was preparing to take a trip down the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon which is famous for its white water rapids. President Ballard relates, “At the beginning of the trip, one of the experienced river guides reviewed important safety instructions, emphasizing three rules that would ensure the group’s safe travel through the rapids. “Rule number one: stay in the boat! Rule number two: always wear a life jacket! Rule number three: always hold on with both hands!” He then said again, with even more emphasis, “Above all, remember rule number one: stay in the boat!
“This adventure reminds me of our mortal journey. Most of us experience periods in our lives where the tranquil waters of life are appreciated. At other times, we encounter white-water rapids that are metaphorically comparable to those found in the 14-mile stretch through Cataract Canyon—challenges that may include physical and mental health issues, the death of a loved one, dashed dreams and hopes, and—for some—even a crisis of faith (or trust) when faced with life’s problems, questions, and doubts.
The Lord in His goodness has provided help, including a boat, essential supplies such as life jackets, and experienced river guides who give guidance and safety instructions to help us make our way down the river of life to our final destination.”2
As I have pondered this subject for several weeks, I keep asking what it is that causes some to stray from the covenant path or not stay in the boat. There are probably lots of different answers to that question so I wonder what will keep me on the covenant path. What will keep me in the boat?
I am just a regular member of the church like all of you; subject to all the trials and tribulations of the world. I want to hold on to my testimony. I want to feel like I am striving to be like the Savior, knowing that I have so many weaknesses. I have had several experiences over the past few weeks that have helped me. I have been instructed by excellent sacrament meeting talks. I have been able to participate in some elders quorum discussions that talked about this specifically. And I have had other experiences that have helped me to understand this question better.
One experience I had was while conducting temple recommend interviews. As I read those questions, some important insight came to me. It is interesting how that happens. It was nothing I didn’t already know but it had an impact that was somehow different. It is when your spirit communicates with the Holy Ghost and you feel something at a spiritual level that just resonates somewhere deep inside. The first four questions cause us to reflect on our testimony. To review they are:
Do you have faith in and a testimony of God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost?
Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of His role as your Savior and Redeemer.
Do you have a testimony of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Do you sustain the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the prophet, seer, and revelator?3
I realized that if I could answer each one of those questions positively then nothing else really mattered. In my mind any question that might come up could be addressed through those four principles. We have all read in the news or talked with friends or family members that have questions about the church. I don’t want to minimize asking questions. If Joseph Smith hadn’t asked a question we wouldn’t be here today. We all need to pursue truth but sometimes there are no answers to our questions or sometimes the answers don’t resonate with commonly accepted philosophies of the world.
At this point, I turn back to my faith. Do I have faith in God, the Eternal Father? Does he have a plan for me? Is there a reason for my existence on earth? Do I believe in the Atonement of Jesus Christ as the key to our Father’s plan? Do I have a testimony in the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and that that restored authority has been passed down and is now held by President Nelson as God’s prophet, seer, and revelator? If so then many of the questions take on a different light. Questions such as, are the church’s policies on the family in line with current “expert opinion”? The church’s policies and doctrine come through the restored gospel and his prophets, therefore I may not understand everything specifically but I have faith in the prophets. I may wonder why the church as an organization does not always function like other global organizations in terms of transparency or accountability but I know that the organization of the church is led by a prophet of God and that God will not lead us astray. Therefore, I can accept things I don’t understand and continue serving in the Kingdom based on my faith in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and their promise to me of salvation and exaltation.
I have therefore determined that cultivating faith in Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is the most important thing we can do to stay on the convent path that leads to the realization of God’s eternal promises. President Nelson has given us excellent direction on cultivating that faith. He has told us to attend the temple. He even suggests that if we don’t completely understand why we attend the temple or have other questions about the temple that we attend more often and not less in order to gain the understanding we seek.4
In the New Testament there is the story of the Jewish leader, Jairus whose daughter was sick. He came to Jesus to plead that he heal her. As they journeyed to his house a servant came and told the anxious father, “Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.”
“But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.”5
Fear not: believe only. I think there are lots of things we fear in life. We fear our ability to fulfill our calling, we fear speaking in Stake Conference!, we fear the personal growth and diligence that repentance requires. We fear the conflicting opinions and voices of the world. When the Savior arrived at Jairus’s house all that were there “laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead”. We fear being laughed at because we hold on to believe that seems to defy conventional wisdom.
So all we have to do is believe. Sounds easy doesn’t it? It is not. I know that it is not easy to have the belief the Savior is talking about. In another instance, a father brought his child who had an evil spirit to the Savior to be healed. “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
“And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”6
This father desperately wanted to believe that his son could be healed. He wasn’t sure his belief was sufficient but he knew that not only could the Lord heal his son, he could heal his unbelief.
The path to healing isn’t easy. It takes a great deal of humility and perseverance. But if we can have the humility to believe in God, the Eternal Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ, we have taken the first step. Then we can believe that modern day prophets and apostles are called by God and are doing God’s work. We will look to the words of the prophets as instruction for us personally. We will look to see what the Lord has to say to us as individuals through the words of the prophets. And slowly our belief will strengthen and we will see God’s hand in the world despite the laughing and scorning that is all around us.
Our Heavenly Father wants us to receive all the blessings he has promised us. Our Prophet wants us to receive all that our Heavenly Father has. As a stake presidency, we love all of you and desire that you inherit in this life and in the next all that our Heavenly Father has for you. We pray for you and hope you will do all you can to stay firmly on the covenant path.
Russell M Nelson, The Power of Spiritual Momentum
M Russell Ballard, Stay in the Boat and Hold On!
Russell M Nelson, Closing Remarks
Russell M Nelson, The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation
