Steadfastness in a Changing World

Steadfastness is something of great importance to me.  I believe that steadfastness is the key to happiness and security now.  Steadfastness comes with assurance from the Lord because that is his promise if we are obedient to his commandments he will be our "rearward". I know that we cannot know all that we will be called to bear in this life, but if we can decide that we will be forever steadfast to the Lord, and hang onto our faith in the Lord we will find great strength, peace, and safety.  In my family we deal with some hereditary emotional issues.  If I was swept under every time and episode of this came up with my family members our family would be a mess, but I choose everyday to strive to be steadfast.  I have slipped many times and found myself doubting my faith, but it has never brought me or my family happiness.  So we choose steadfastness.

Supporting Quotes:

1.      Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf – April 2014 General Conference “Grateful in Any Circumstances” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/grateful-in-any-circumstances?lang=eng “True gratitude is an expression of hope and testimony. It comes from acknowledging that we do not always understand the trials of life but trusting that one day we will.”

2.      Pres. Henry B. Eyring – April 2012 General Conference “Mountains to Climb” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/mountains-to-climb?lang=eng “You and I have faith that the way to rise through and above trials is to believe that there is a “balm in Gilead” and that the Lord has promised, “I will not … forsake thee.” That is what President Thomas S. Monson has taught us to help us and those we serve in what seem lonely and overwhelming trials.”

“President Monson has also wisely taught that a foundation of faith in the reality of those promises takes time to build”

3.      Pres. Henry B. Eyring – October 2014 General Conference “Continuing Revelation” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/continuing-revelation?lang=engOctober  “We all know that human judgement and logical thinking will not be enough to get answers to the questions that matter most in life. We need revelation from God. And we need not just one revelation in a time of stress, but we need a constantly renewed stream. We need not just one flash of light and comfort, but we need the continuing blessing of communication from God.” This is a declaration of why we seek after the words of the prophet, our leaders, and daily seek the Lord in prayer so we can be led by the Holy Ghost.

4.      Elder L. Tom Perry – April 2015 General Conference “Why Marriage and Family Matter – Everywhere in the World” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/why-marriage-and-family-matter-everywhere-in-the-world?lang=eng (Quoting Pope Francis) “We now live in a culture of the temporary, in which more and more people are simply giving up on marriage as a public commitment. This revolution in manners and morals has often flown the flag of freedom, but in fact it has brought spiritual and material devastation to countless human beings, especially the poorest and most vulnerable. … It is always they who suffer the most in this crisis.”  In referring to those of the rising generation, he said it is important that they “do not give themselves over to the poisonous [mentality] of the temporary, but rather be revolutionaries with the courage to seek true and lasting love, going against the common pattern”; this must be done.

5.      Elder David A. Bednar – May 3, 2009 CES Devotional “Things As They Really Are” https://www.lds.org/ensign/2010/06/things-as-they-really-are?lang=eng “Obedience is the principal weapon upon which the rising generation must rely in the latter-day battle between good and evil.” “Obedience opens the door to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. And the spiritual gifts and abilities activated by the power of the Holy Ghost enable us to avoid deception—and to see, to feel, to know, to understand, and to remember things as they really are. You and I have been endowed with a greater capacity for obedience precisely for these reasons.”

6.      Elder Oaks – October 2014 General Conference, “Loving Others and Living with Differences” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/loving-others-and-living-with-differences?lang=eng “In so many relationships and circumstances in life, we must live with differences. Where vital, our side of these differences should not be denied or abandoned, but as followers of Christ we should live peacefully with others who do not share our values or accept the teachings upon which they are based.”  “The most important setting to forgo contention and practice respect for differences is in our homes and family relationships. . . . Following the Savior’s example, we can show loving-kindness and still be firm in the truth by forgoing actions that facilitate or seem to condone what we know to be wrong.”

7.      Elder Oaks – October 2014 General Conference, “Loving Others and Living with Differences” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/loving-others-and-living-with-differences?lang=eng “Even as we seek to be meek and to avoid contention, we must not compromise or dilute our commitment to the truths we understand. We must not surrender our positions or our values. The gospel of Jesus Christ and the covenants we have made inevitably cast us as combatants in the eternal contest between truth and error. There is no middle ground in that contest.”

8.      Pres. Boyd K. Packer – April 2010 General Conference “The Power of the Priesthood” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/the-power-of-the-priesthood?lang=eng “There will be times when all that stand between you and your family and the adversary’s mischief will be that power.  You will receive direction from the Lord by way of the Gift of the Holy Ghost.”

9.      Elder M. Russel Ballard – April 2014 General Conference “Stay in the Boat and Hold on” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/stay-in-the-boat-and-hold-on?lang=eng “It seems that these things which are not easily measured are of great importance. Stay focused on these simple things, and avoid becoming distracted.”

10.  Elder M. Russel Ballard – April 2014 General Conference “Stay in the Boat and Hold on” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/stay-in-the-boat-and-hold-on?lang=eng “The important questions focus on what matters most—Heavenly Father’s plan and the Savior’s Atonement. Our search should lead us to become kind, gentle, loving, forgiving, patient, and dedicated disciples.”

11.  Elder Holland – October 2009 General Conference “Safety for the Soul” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/safety-for-the-soul?lang=eng “I testify that one cannot come to full faith in this latter-day work—and thereby find the fullest measure of peace and comfort in these, our times—until he or she embraces the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it testifies.”  “God always provides safety for the soul, and with the Book of Mormon, He has again done that in our time. Remember this declaration by Jesus Himself: “Whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived” —and in the last days neither your heart nor your faith will fail you.”

12.  Elder Robert D. Hales – April 2015 General Conference “Preserving Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/preserving-agency-protecting-religious-freedom?lang=eng “To keep the commandments, we need to know the official doctrine of the Church so we are not diverted from Christ’s leadership by the ever-changing whims of individuals.”

13.  Elder Quentin L. Cook – General Conference, April 2015 “The Lord is My Light” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-lord-is-my-light?lang=eng “Our protections in this life and for eternity will be in individual and family righteousness, Church ordinances, and following the Savior. This is our refuge from the storm.”