A Firm Foundation

Welcome back to blogging, me.

A few months ago, we moved across the country. We got here, to New York, without a place to live. The home we expected to rent fell through as we drove across the country. Well, the home didn't fall anywhere. It was the rental agreement that didn't work out. We started our New York life in a hotel. That first Sunday, we attended church at the Yonkers branch where we expected that we'd be attending permanently. It was with a heavy heart I sat in church that day. It was painful to leave my home, my sisters, my nieces and nephews, my parents, and my brother. We felt like we had established roots as a family--and especially with our extended family--in Utah. We enjoyed our life there and weren't looking for a significant change. I did my best to make the journey across the country a fun vacation for our family, but the vacation was over. We had no home. And we were alone.

The Yonkers branch meets in a chapel that is in the industrial section of town. It doesn't have a separate church building; there are many businesses sharing the space. In the corner of this fairly unattractive parking lot, there is a sign that says "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Visitors Welcome." There aren't many members of the church that attend that little branch. That's okay.

I sat there with my family in unfamiliar, yet completely familiar, circumstances. Church is the same everywhere. We sang hymns, heard speakers, partook of the sacrament, and prayed together. One of the hymns we sang was "How Firm a Foundation" by Robert Keen. These are some of the lyrics:

How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
Who unto the Savior, who unto the Savior,
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

In ev’ry condition—in sickness, in health,
In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth,
At home or abroad, on the land or the sea—
As thy days may demand, as thy days may demand,
As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.

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, upheld by my righteous,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

 I was especially struck by the 2nd verse. "In ev'ry condition...in poverty's vale..at home or abroad...so thy succor shall be." These words so perfectly described us. We were in poverty's vale and also abroad--so far from home. And then came the promise: "Fear not, I am with thee...For I am thy God and will still give thee aid." There is so much power in these words.

 

I sat there during the hymn thinking about my month. I had been to church in Sacramento, California; West Jordan, Utah; Ames, Iowa; and now in Yonkers, New York--all within a few short weeks. In every place, I had found a home, a familiar place to be, in my church. This is part of what is meant by a firm foundation. The church and the church organization provide a foundation for us no matter where we are in the world. This little experience strengthened my faith in the Savior and His Church.

Favorite view

When I go places, I don't always choose the fastest route. I rarely choose the fastest route if I can find a way that is prettier. I like pretty. Instead of getting to the freeway on the road where I can travel 45-50 mph, I go on the road where the speed limit is about 25 mph. I know, it's silly. But it's pretty. And it is on this road that I see one of my favorite views. I have wanted to capture it. I waited until winter was over because I thought it might be prettier when the trees weren't so barren. But then the trees got leaves and blocked my view. I tried to take the picture anyway. I wish you could see it in person. A lot of you probably have.

You see that you can see two temples in one view? I know, the Oquirrh Mountain Temple is hidden behind some bushes and trees. It's a better view from inside the car. But still, it's nice, right?

The gift to believe

The gifts of the Spirit are discussed in various scriptures. I quote from Doctrine and Covenants 46:11-14:

For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. 

To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.


To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.


To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.

I have just returned from a special church meeting. We had in attendance Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I am not sure that I've ever been in a stake conference (a relatively small meeting) where an apostle was present. I was very excited to see him and hear him in such a personal setting. He quoted the scripture above and then told us that he is one who knows. I am blessed to believe on his words. I have no doubt at this time that I heard an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ speak today. Elder Scott's testimony of the Savior was so simple and powerful. I consider it a great gift to believe him.
 
I hold my faith and belief in Jesus Christ as one of my precious treasures. My testimony gives me stability when life is unstable. It brings me peace no matter what chaos is around me. I am confident that Jesus Christ lives, that he loves me, and that he knows me. I am also sure in my belief that we have living prophets on the earth today. I think that the things I experienced yesterday and today with Elder Scott will always affect me and the way I act and what I believe.