In last year’s April general conference, President Russell M. Nelson spoke in the Sunday morning session. In his talk “Hear Him,” our prophet said, “In the past several weeks, most of us have experienced disruptions in our personal lives. Earthquakes, fires, floods, plagues, and their aftermaths have disrupted routines.” [1]
Skip ahead almost a year and a half. In August, when I was asked to speak at this devotional, there were several similar events going on in our world. Flooding and earthquakes in Haiti and Japan; severe storm flooding in Tennessee; California wildfires; Hurricane Ida landing in Louisiana; and, of course, a constant news cycle of events in Afghanistan and other parts of the world. You didn't have to look far to see that the peace and safety of many lives were being disrupted.
Have you ever thought: Am I physically and spiritually prepared to prevent or handle a crisis if something like this happened to me or my family? Is my faith strong enough to overcome and persevere through my trials?
Here at BYU-Idaho, I have had the opportunity to teach personal safety, crime prevention, and how to prepare for other emergency responses. Today, I would like to share with you my testimony of preparing for spiritual safety, how we can protect ourselves and others. I would like to first take this opportunity to let you all know how much we care about each of you and pray for your peace and personal safety here at BYU-Idaho.
In each of my self-defense classes that I teach, the question is asked, “Who is ultimately
responsible for your personal safety?” Today, I would like to extend that question and ask you who is ultimately responsible for your spiritual safety? It is our own responsibility. However, we are not alone. We do not have to deal with the challenges of mortality alone. In Alma 26:12, it says: “In his strength I can do all things.”
We teach in the RAD-Systems that 90 percent of self-defense education is being aware of your surroundings and possible risks, recognizing potential dangers in our life, and taking proper steps in reducing those risks, and, of course, how to avoid potential dangers in the first place.
Speaking of personal and spiritual risks, Solomon simply said in Proverbs 4:14–15, “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.”
By familiarizing yourself with the risks around you and minimizing those risks, you can reduce a significant number of trials in your life. Protecting yourself and allowing the Spirit to reside with you will create a sense of peace and comfort knowing that you are prepared, and with the companionship of the Spirit, you will be able to react or respond in a positive way.
We are born with inherent gifts from our Father in Heaven; one of those gifts is a self-preservation instinct that we are all born with. In the early 1900s, Doctor Walter Cannon discovered in his research the body’s fight or flight response, also known as the acute stress response.
How we prepare for an emergency, or a personal attack, is critical to our survival because, in the moment, our thought processes may be diminished, and our basic instincts of survival will take over. If we practice and train our bodies and minds to handle these situations, it becomes muscle memory. We will react the way we have trained and practiced. For example, stop, drop, and roll if you find that your clothing is on fire; or stop, look, and listen, before crossing a busy and dangerous street.
Being aware of and maintaining our spiritual well-being is just as important in our eternal lives as our personal safety. Brother Rex Allred put it in this perspective: When we face attacks or stressful events in our spiritual life, our spiritual instincts, if well trained, will react in accordance with the Holy Ghost. Why shouldn’t our spiritual strength or experiences be planned and be deliberate processes? They should be planned and deliberate. Just as we plan our own personal safety, we also must plan our spiritual lives. [2]
In the April 2020 general conference, President Nelson said, “I renew my plea for you to do whatever it takes to increase your spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation. Doing so will help you know how to move ahead with your life, what to do during times of crisis, and how to discern and avoid the temptations and the deceptions of the adversary.” [3]
Our spiritual strengths must be exercised to grow. If we want to increase our spiritual capacity, we can’t just read or study about increasing capacity; we must add action.
Elder David A. Bednar shared this example of moving forward in faith with action in the third chapter of Joshua. Under Joshua’s leadership, the Israelites had come to the River Jordan and were promised that the waters would part, and they would be able to cross on dry ground. The waters did not part as the children of Israel stood on the banks of the river waiting for something to happen, rather the soles of their feet were wet before the waters parted. The faith of the Israelites was manifested in the fact that they walked into the water before it parted. They had walked into the River Jordan with faith and then the waters did part for them. [4] You could say that they practiced their faith so this event became a spiritual strength to them moving forward towards the promised land. We may not have flooded rivers to cross, but we will have other obstacles to overcome or react to in an emergency, crisis, prolonged struggle, illness, or even loss.
Our Father in Heaven will give us opportunities to develop spiritual strengths. Trials are a part of all of our lives; we grow stronger as we overcome these trials. They come in many forms. If we are in tune with the Spirit, we will recognize these opportunities to overcome and act on them. While watching conference a couple of weeks ago, I’m sure you heard, as I did, the calls to move forward in faith and act on that faith. Learning to follow the Spirit and hearing the voice of the Lord in our lives is key to preparing ourselves in every needful way to become spiritually safe.
Shortly after my wife and I were married, we were living and attending school in Logan, Utah. We had very busy schedules with work and school but tried to go to the temple often. One afternoon, we got ready to go and went and got in our car. The car would not start. We were surprised because we hadn’t had any problems with it before. After several attempts of trying to start the car, we had a choice to make: stay home because we were too busy anyways and could get some other things done, or we could walk to the temple. Today, we are grateful because we decided that we would walk several blocks to the temple and worry about the car later. Later that day, when we returned home, I went to the car and tried it again, and it started right up. We never had another problem with it. We both felt that the adversary did not want us standing in holy places that day in the temple. A spiritual strength was given to us that day that we carry with us today.
The Lord tells us in Doctrine and Covenants 38:30 that “if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” We can prepare ourselves both physically and spiritually to truly comprehend those reassuring words the Lord promised, that “ye shall not fear,” first, by understanding your divine nature. We have all been given spiritual gifts that we need to recognize and develop to help us become more like our Father in Heaven. “Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.” [5] Understanding that we are children of Heavenly Parents who love us gives us a desire to become more like them and want to return to our heavenly home, understanding that our ultimate goal should give us a greater commitment to keep the commandments. We are given commandments for our growth, safety, and happiness. Commandments free us from the negative consequences of sin. The words to the following Primary song teach us this:
Keep the commandments; keep the commandments!
In this there is safety; in this there is peace.
He will send blessings; He will send blessings.
Words of a prophet: Keep the commandments.
In this there is safety and peace. [6]
Second, we have all the scriptures needed to be successful and the Book of Mormon, the complete guidebook, if you will, on how to keep ourselves spiritually safe. It was written to be a voice of warning for our generation. President Thomas S. Monson said, “My dear associates in the work of the Lord, I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives.” [7]
Elder Jeffery R. Holland stated, “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.” [8]
“Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” [9]
Third, we have the voice of the Lord today spoken through a living prophet. Noah was a prophet that tried to warn the people about their spiritual and physical welfare. As we know, they refused to listen. President Nelson is our voice of warning today. The living prophet tells us what we need to know to protect ourselves both physically and spiritually, no matter how popular or unpopular it is with the views of the world. In the last few years, we have seen changes in our Church that I know have prepared us for events like the COVID pandemic, and knowing how important the Come Follow Me lessons would be needed in our homes. Prophets are like watchmen on a tower, and they can see challenges and problems coming and can teach us how to overcome or prevent them.
In our most recent general conference, President Nelson spoke of the Salt Lake Temple renovations and reinforcement of the original foundation. Our prophet, our watchman, summed up my thoughts on spiritual preparation and safety with this warning: “If you and I are to withstand the forthcoming perils and pressures, it is imperative that we each have a firm spiritual foundation built upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.” [10]
I would like to take a few moments and share my thoughts on how we can spiritually strengthen others so they are prepared as well.
I believe it's important to protect ourselves first, both physically and spiritually. The simple example of this is the instructions given before any commercial flight on what to do in case of an emergency. You have probably heard these words: “Should the cabin lose pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the overhead area. Then place the mask over your mouth and nose before assisting others.” I feel it would be difficult to assist others when we are gasping for oxygen ourselves. Or, if we are struggling spiritually it may be difficult to protect the spiritual safety of others. However, if we are spiritually prepared and have the Spirit with us, our light can brighten the way for others.
I love the poem by Lon Woodrum; a poem that President Monson said was one of his favorites.
I met a stranger in the night
Whose lamp had ceased to shine.
I paused and let him light
His lamp from mine.
A tempest sprang up later on
And shook the world about.
And when the wind was gone
My lamp was out!
But back came to me the stranger—
His lamp was glowing fine!
He held the precious flame
And lighted mine! [11]
Life is not perfect for any of us, and at times the challenges and difficulties we face may become overwhelming, causing our light to dim. However, with help from our Heavenly Father, coupled with support from others, we can regain that light which will illuminate our path once again and provide the light others may need.
Elder Neil L. Andersen said:
With constant prayer, a determination to keep our covenants, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, we navigate our way through life. When personal difficulty, doubt, or discouragement darken our path, or when world conditions beyond our control lead us to wonder about the future, the spiritually defining memories from our book of life are like luminous stones that help brighten the road ahead, assuring us that God knows us, loves us, and has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to help us return home. And when someone sets their defining memories aside and is lost or confused, we turn them toward the Savior as we share our faith and memories with them, helping them rediscover those precious spiritual moments they once treasured. [12]
In last week’s devotional, Brother Brian Atkinson shared one of those spiritual memories about his young son saying a prayer from the backseat when their car would not start because of a dead battery. The car started right up after the sincere prayer and faith of a young boy. Chris helped his dad rediscover those precious spiritual moments. What is it about cars that won’t start?
Just as we practice and train our bodies and minds to handle situations that become muscle memory, our spiritually-defining memories can act the same way as muscle memory. We will react the way we have trained and practiced. Once we have found that love, joy, and peace in our own lives, it can and will be significantly increased as we help others find peace and security in theirs.
President Spencer W. Kimball taught us, “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other.” [13]
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf followed this up with, “Often, the answer to our prayer does not come while we’re on our knees but while we’re on our feet serving the Lord and strengthening those around us. By becoming the answer to someone’s prayer, we often find the answer to our own.” [14]
Several years ago, I was facing my own challenges both physically and spiritually. At the time, I was living an active lifestyle; I loved sports and playing basketball with the faculty and staff here at BYU-Idaho. However, I began struggling with health issues and found myself lying in a hospital bed for weeks at a time. During one of my hospital stays, I had lost so much weight that I didn’t have the strength or ability to stand or walk on my own. It was then that I faced not only physical challenges, but also my own spiritual challenge.
I remember so clearly one day pleading with God. I was scared, and even though I had family and friends visiting and praying for me I felt alone, and helpless. I spent most of the day in prayer and listening to devotional talks on the BYU channel. I was desperate and looking for anything to find relief. I found myself again pleading with God, “Talk to me!”
It wasn't even an hour later when one of our own BYU-Idaho security officers Alain Budge walked into my hospital room. He asked me how I was doing and said, “I just felt like I should come and visit you and share a scripture with you.” He read Joshua 1:9, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Just when my faith was weak and spiritual strength diminished, my prayers were answered because someone else was prepared spiritually to receive inspiration, and the Lord answered my prayers through him, the same words that the Lord had told Joshua a few years earlier—well, quite a few years earlier. My life, and testimony was strengthened because Alain followed the Spirit that day and acted on it.
The Lord had told Joshua several times to be of good courage. The word “courage” is defined as a “mental or moral strength to . . . persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” [15]
A short time after my release from the hospital and finding my strength to come back to work, Brother Budge followed up by having the Scouts in his home ward make this picture for me. I have it in my office today.
Doctrine and Covenants 59:23 reminds us: “But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.”
Brother Alain Budge passed away about a year later. I know of his works—he received rewards, even peace, in this world and now in the eternal world to come.
Brothers and sisters, thank you so much for responding to the devotional discussion board. It has been an amazing experience for me to read all of your comments. I learned from your comments on how you strengthen and protect yourself and others: praying, fasting, reading the scriptures, attending the temple and putting names on the prayer roll in the temple, honoring our covenants, listening to general conference, and following the prophet, plus many other examples. Your testimonies strengthen mine.
It is my testimony that our Father in Heaven and His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, love us unconditionally; and if we can prepare spiritually for the journey ahead, we will receive His reward, even peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come. This I share in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him,” Ensign, May 2020.
[2] See Rex W. Allred, “Spiritual Strength: A Planned Progress,” New Era, Feb. 1977.
[3] Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him,” Ensign, May 2020.
[4] See David A. Bednar, “Seek Learning by Faith,” Ensign, Sept. 2007.
[5] The Family: A Proclamation to the World.
[6] “Keep the Commandments,” Children’s Songbook, 146.
[7] Thomas S. Monson, “The Power of the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, May 2017.
[8] Jeffery R. Holland, “Safety for the Soul,” Ensign, Nov. 2009.
[9] 2 Nephi 32:3.
[10] Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” Ensign, Nov. 2021.
[11] Lon Woodrum, “Lamps,” The Lighted Pathway, Oct. 1940, 17.
[12] Neil L. Andersen, “Spiritually Defining Memories,” Ensign, May 2020.
[13] Spencer W. Kimball, “Small Acts of Service,” Ensign, Dec. 1974.
[14] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Waiting on the Road to Damascus,” Ensign, May 2011.
[15] “Courage,” Merriam-Webster Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courage.