An Anchor to the Souls of Men

To my daughter, 

                When we bought our home several years ago, the previous homeowner showed me the shed and suggested that I should fasten it to the cement slab on which it was sitting. I never did that, and as you know it got moved significantly and damaged in one wind storm, and then in another one it got blown over completely and destroyed. It was not anchored down, and it got blown away. As I thought about this today I reflected on this scripture describing the Nephites at a time of great wickedness: “But now, behold, they are led about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her; and even as she is, so are they” (Mormon 5:18). Mormon was comparing those Nephites who had forsaken their faith to a ship that has no anchor and is tossed upon the waves of the ocean. The message for us is that we must be tethered to the gospel of Jesus Christ or we will likewise be figuratively blown about without anchor. Paul encouraged us this way: “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:14-15). Many people simply let the latest trends and opinions of the world, the most recent fads and fashions, dictate what is important to them and what they focus on. As those worldly values are ever-changing these people have no strong foundation upon which to build their lives. We know, though, that “it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that [we] must build [our] foundation” (Helaman 5:12).

               Moroni wrote about how we can have an anchor to secure our lives as he related the story of the Jaredites. He said, “Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God” (Ether 12:4). That has always been one of my favorite scriptures and it helps us understand what should be the anchor of our lives: faith and hope in God. The world would tempt us to make all sorts of other things to be the focus and center of our lives, but only faith in God will allow us to be “sure and steadfast” and maintain stability in our lives no matter what goes on around us. I urge you to anchor yourself to Jesus Christ by daily scripture study, frequent fervent prayer, and remembering Him every day. As you do so you will be able to withstand the winds of the adversary and temptations of the world that will constantly blow throughout your life. 

Love,

Dad