Stand Fast

The Psalmist wrote that the works of the Lord and His commandments “stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness” (Psalm 111:8).  In a similar passage we also read, “My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him” (Psalm 89:28).  This suggests that the works, commandments, and covenants of the Lord will “stand fast,” and the Lord used the same phrase to instruct Jeremiah concerning the coming difficulties in Egypt: “Declare ye in Egypt… say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee” (Jeremiah 46:14).  It is perhaps from these Old Testament passages that later prophets were inspired to write their words of encouragement to us to “stand fast” in our living of the gospel. 

               Paul’s epistles and the book of Alma in particular encourage us to “stand fast” as followers of the Savior.  To the Corinthians Paul said, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).  At the time of Alma we similarly read that the Saints “did stand fast in the faith” and were “steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God” at a time of significant persecution (Alma 1:25).  At the end of Alma’s life he “blessed the church, yea, all those who should stand fast in the faith from that time henceforth” (Alma 45:17).  Captain Moroni likewise encouraged believers in his difficult days to “stand fast in the faith of Christ” (Alma 46:27).  Paul also encouraged the Philippians and the Thessalonians to “stand fast” and “stand fast in the Lord” (2 Thessalonians 2:15, Philippians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:8).  And to the Galatians he encouraged, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” (Galatians 5:1).  Pahoran used the same phrase when he wrote to Captain Moroni, “See that ye strengthen Lehi and Teancum in the Lord; tell them to fear not, for God will deliver them, yea, and also all those who stand fast in that liberty wherewith God hath made them free” (Alma 61:21).  In the same war Helaman also wrote to Moroni saying of the stripling warriors, “They have received many wounds; nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free” (Alma 58:40).  Putting these all together, the scriptures teach us to stand fast, stand fast in the faith, stand fast in the Lord, and to stand fast in the liberty that Christ has given us. 

               So, what does it really mean then to “stand fast”?  I’d like to think that we can interpret it in a few different ways.  One definition that is probably most applicable here for the word fast is “firm in adherence; loyal; devoted.”  When we stand fast in the Lord we are firmly committed to Him; we are “steadfast and immovable” as the people in the days of Alma.  We fasten ourselves to the Lord and become unchanging in our devotion.  I think we can also apply the “quick; swift; rapid” definition of the word; when we stand fast in the Lord we should stand quickly and do it now.  We should not hesitate to stand up for the faith and the principles of the gospel.  When Captain Moroni was encouraging his people to stand fast, he certainly included a sense of urgency and quickness in the need for loyalty.  And the people were moved to act fast: “When Moroni had proclaimed these words, behold, the people came running together with their armor girded about their loins, rending their garments in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God” (Alma 46:21).  Lastly, perhaps we might even use the phrase to encourage us in the act of fasting itself, reminding us that we should “stand” and “fast”.  In other words, when we fast as the Lord taught we don’t lay around listless because we haven’t eaten: “When thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast” (Matt. 6:17-18).  We stand up, confident in the Lord’s ability to bless us.  By standing fast in all these ways we can be protected and prepared for the days to come, ultimately to return to God.  As the Savior invited us in this dispensation, “Stand fast in the work wherewith I have called you, and a hair of your head shall not be lost, and you shall be lifted up at the last day” (D&C 9:14).