"Hold Fast the Confidence"
August 5, 2003
Brother Russell G. Bulloch
I am delighted to be with you today and to be in the presence of President Bednar and his wife Susan. They have been gracious hosts and have treated us with great kindness. It’s also been very nice to be with Brother Garth Hall and his wife Sharon. We used to live in the same stake with the Halls in Orem, Utah. Garth and I served on the high council together. Garth and Sharon Hall are true Latter-day Saints and friends. The last time I was here on campus was about ten years ago. I am profoundly impressed with the growth that I see here. This is a beautiful campus! There is a great spirit here at BYU–Idaho and you, brothers and sisters, radiate much of that. It truly is a privilege to speak to you today.
For such an occasion as this, I am reminded of something Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said to the students at BYU–Provo about the weekly devotional. The counsel he gave the students there is just as important for you. He said
For you who are students here at BYU, you should attend the weekly Tuesday devotional hour and set aside the temporary cares of the world to devote your full attention to the things of eternity. The lasting values and the permanent things that will never go out-of-date or fall out of fashion are taught and discussed and presented for your consideration and edification.
What you learn in the weekly devotionals will surely stand the test of time. Why would you trade away the unequaled opportunity that these [devotionals] provide to hear Church leaders teach eternal truths? The blessing of attending these [devotionals] is one of the principle distinguishing elements of the unique learning environment available only on these few campuses. You who do not take advantage of the gospel-based learning environment found at these institutions are wasting the precious resources that are expended to ensure your knowledge of the gospel. Failure to take full advantage of these unique learning opportunities significantly diminishes the spiritual element of your overall education (“Choose the Right,” BYU Fireside address, 4 Sept. 1994, Marriott Center).
Taking into consideration this counsel from Elder Wirthlin, I commend you for being here today. I have prepared myself and pray that the Spirit of the Lord will be with us in order to accomplish what is taught in section 50 of the Doctrine and Covenants, where it says “He that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:22).
I would like to begin with Paul’s epistle to the Hebrews as found in the New Testament, beginning on page 1521. I want you to know that Paul’s epistle to the Hebrews is a powerful witness of the divine sonship of Jesus Christ. We learn from the chapter heading for chapter 1 that Paul teaches about the Son, the Lord Jehovah, being in the express image of the person of the Father, and that the Son was in very deed born among men as the only begotten Son of God and that He has precedence over the angels (See DNTC 3:134).
In the chapter heading for chapter 2, we learn that Jesus came to this earth to suffer death in order to bring salvation to all mankind; that He came to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
I would now like to focus our attention on Hebrews chapter 3. Let’s look at verses 1-6. In verse 1 we read that Christ is to be considered as the Apostle and High Priest of our profession. You see that in the chapter heading as well. Another word for “profession” could be the faith we profess; or the gospel, or the church. So, we could read verse 1 this way: “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider Jesus Christ, the Apostle and High Priest of our [faith, or of our gospel or of our church]” (Hebrews 3:1).
In verses 2-5, Paul writes about Moses. Paul knew that the Jews had a high opinion of the faithfulness of Moses, yet he wanted them to know that Moses’ faithfulness was but a type of Christ’s. In verses 5 and 6 we read,
And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end (Hebrews 3: 5-6, emphasis added).
Do you see the point Paul is making? Moses was a faithful servant in his house, but Christ, as the Son of God, is the rightful Owner, the Master over His house, His church, His people—our Savior, and our Healer. Also, you see a very important word in verse 6, the word “if.” Here Paul teaches that if you want to be a part of Christ’s house, or His church, or his people, you must hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Please keep verse 6 and that “confidence” in mind as I now share a personal experience as an analogy for understanding our complete dependence on the Savior and the extreme importance of “holding fast” to Him.
You need to know that I am quite fearful of heights. Standing on anything higher than six feet from the ground, I begin to feel very uncomfortable. Being so afraid of heights, several years ago I did something that I never thought I could do. Some experienced mountain climbing friends of mine invited my two youngest sons and me to go with them on a hike down the Pine Creek Trail in Zion National Park. This hike takes you through a magnificent, deep, narrow, twisting, slot canyon. The thing that makes this particular hike so exciting (for those who are not afraid of heights, I might add) is the seven required repels as you descend this slot canyon.
Repelling is the technique used to descend from something by rope. The equipment consists of special climbing ropes, gloves, straps, anchors, a harness that goes around your waist and hips and a carabineer which is an oblong metal ring that the rope passes through to help control the speed of your descent. Repelling requires a sense of adventure, some skill and some physical strength and is definitely not for those who are terrified of heights. In spite of my fear of high places, and after a lot of persuasion from my friends, I reluctantly decided to make this hike. The most compelling reason for doing something this scary was knowing that my boys would love it.
Well, off we went and after a little practice with our equipment and some fairly easy repels, which I am pleased to say I handled quite well, we found ourselves at the end of the slot canyon with one more rappel to go. This last rappel was the biggest one of all. It was a 125-foot free fall down through a dark cavern into a shallow pool of water! A free fall rappel means being suspended on the rope free of any other kind of support. I cannot describe how frightened I was as I looked over the edge of the cliff into the darkness and saw how far it was down to the bottom.
I watched as some of the members of our group confidently secured themselves to the rope, leaned back over the edge of the cliff, and with great excitement began their descent to the ground below. All the way down they would shout back up to us telling how fun and thrilling it was. Finally, it was my turn. I carefully made my way to the edge of the cliff. Realizing my two boys were watching, I wanted to portray an image of strength and control, not that of a quivering wimp. Notwithstanding my best efforts, I am sure they could see that I was truly scared to death.
Terrified, I held firmly onto the rope and slowly backed up to the edge. Trying not to look down, I took a deep breath and leaned back into my harness and began to inch my way over the cliff into the great, dark abyss that extended 125 feet below me. After a few steps over the edge, it opened up into a large cavern. No longer would I be able to provide any support with my feet. I now had to “free fall.” At that moment, I fought with images in my mind of the rope breaking and falling to a certain death. Shaking and hoping that the rope would support me, I took another deep breath and carefully let more rope pass through my carabineer until I was hanging there in mid air. As I firmly held the rope I could literally feel its strength. It was then that I looked up and I could see that the rope was still connected securely to the anchor in the rock above. The rope safely held me and instantly I felt confident that I would be all right. At that moment a wonderful, reassuring feeling of excitement swept over me. My rappel to the ground below was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.
Now let me try and relate Hebrews chapter 3, verse 6 to the story I just shared and make a few comments. We worship our Heavenly Father as the almighty ruler of heaven and earth. He is literally our Father in Heaven. We lived with Him as spirits before we were born. We are His children and belong to His eternal family (See Hebrews 12:9). He loves us and wants us to achieve true, eternal happiness (See Romans 8: 16-17). To enable us to become like Him, our Father in Heaven prepared a plan that allows us to come to earth and receive a physical body. This life is a time of testing to see if we will be obedient to all things whatsoever the Lord our God commands us and to see if we will choose liberty and eternal life or choose captivity and death (See Abraham 3:25; 2 Nephi 2:27). Having no memory of our pre-mortal life, we must act by faith (See 2 Corinthians 5:6-7). He gives us commandments, ordinances, and covenants to point the way we should go to fulfill our eternal potential (See Moses 5:58-59). We will be held accountable for our decisions and actions (See Doctrine and Covenants 101:78). We experience trials, temptations, and sin. By divine design, there must be an opposition in all things. The trials and temptations here in mortality are constant and at times very intense. The sins we commit here make us unworthy to dwell in the presence of our Heavenly Father (See 1 Nephi 15:34).
May I suggest that in order to help us with these trials and temptations and receive help and forgiveness for our sins, Heavenly Father provided a “rope” securely anchored to a “Rock.” The “Rock,” to which the “rope” is anchored, is our Savior Jesus Christ. The “rope” provided for us is the Savior’s Atonement. Because of the love Heavenly Father has for his children, He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us. Jesus fulfilled the will of the Father and voluntarily suffered, which suffering caused Him to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit and give His life to pay for our sins (See Doctrine and Covenants 19:18). The “Rock,” our Savior Jesus Christ, is firm and steadfast; He is pure and righteous, filled with eternal love, having suffered for all, that we might not suffer if we would repent (See Doctrine and Covenants 19:16). The “rope,” the Atonement of Jesus Christ, is infinite in its effects to strengthen, comfort, support, sustain, and save.
As Paul taught in verse 6 of Hebrews chapter 3, we must hold fast in the confidence and rejoicing of the hope, in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, firm unto the end. The words “hold fast” are not words we would normally use today. Instead, we would say, “Hold on tight to,” “Keep a firm grip on,” or “Don’t let go of.” If we hold on tight, keep a firm grip on and don’t let go of the confidence, the rejoicing and the hope, in the Redeemer of the world, firm unto the end, we will be a part of His house worthy of his grace and mercy. Alma taught that same principle, “Whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 36:3).
If you find yourself looking down over a frightening cliff of sin, sorrow, suffering, regret, discouragement, disease, fear, failure, loneliness, or loss, get a firm grip on that “rope,” even though you may be afraid or even doubt. If you will not let go, I promise you’ll begin to feel of its strength and power. As you look up you will see that the “rope” you are holding is securely anchored to the “Rock” above. The “Rock” and the “rope” will safely hold you and strengthen, comfort, and support you. You will feel greater confidence that you will be all right. Your fears will be replaced with reassuring feelings of confidence and rejoicing. This will give you greater hope to go further even unto the end. Nephi taught this principle in 2 Nephi chapter 4 where he wrote,
O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support...O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever...Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God (See 2 Nephi 4:17-20, 34-35, emphasis added).
Consider what Elder Richard G. Scott taught. He said,
Your trust in the Lord must be more powerful and enduring than your confidence in your own personal feelings and experience. To exercise faith is to trust that the Lord knows what He is doing with you and that He can accomplish it for your eternal good even though you cannot understand how He can possibly do it. We are like infants in our understanding of eternal matters and their impact on us here in mortality. Yet at times we act as if we knew it all. When you pass through trials for His purposes, as you trust Him, exercise faith in Him, He will help you (“Trust in the Lord,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 17).
In my association with some dear friends, I saw how we can be supported by the Savior’s Atonement through difficult times in our lives as we “hold fast the confidence” in Him. I first met Bishop Mervin and Dorothy Prince of New Harmony, Utah, when I was called as stake president of the Cedar City University 3rd Stake in March of 1999. They were both healthy, energetic members of the Church. Bishop Prince was the bishop of one of the young single adult wards in our stake, and Sister Prince was our stake librarian. I came to know and love them deeply, and I learned some of life’s most important lessons from their example. Their experience gives convincing evidence of how the Savior reaches out to us in our time of trouble. I realize that their story of faith and courage is like many others who have also suffered—some of whom are attending this devotional today. I share the Prince’s story today with their permission.
Being the bishop of a young single adult ward requires a considerable amount of time. In addition to the regular church meetings on Sunday, there are many administrative meetings and activities to attend. But what takes a great deal of time are the hours of interviewing and counseling members. Being a bishop of a young single adult ward is a big job. During many of those hours of service, rarely did I ever see Bishop Prince without Sister Prince. They would drive together from New Harmony to Cedar City, about a 30-minute drive, almost every Sunday. She would serve in the stake library, attend the block of meetings and then wait by her husband’s office door until he was done interviewing so they could go home together. Many times she would do her cross-stitch while she waited and visit with the members. The precious time they spent with those young people was something they both cherished.
Early in the fall of 1999, several weeks had gone by, and I had not seen Sister Prince. So, I asked Bishop Prince one Sunday afternoon where his wife was. He said the reason why I had not seen her was due to a terrible cold, which had turned into pneumonia. Hearing this, I asked if there was anything I could do to help. He said that I should not worry. He reassured me that she was starting to feel a little better. He felt she would be back to her daily routine within the upcoming week. Fortunately, I did see Sister Prince that next Sunday, but I could tell she still wasn’t back to full strength, and I noticed that she had developed a deep cough. In spite of this, she seemed happy and in good spirits. As the weeks went by, I saw less and less of her. In a monthly priesthood interview I had with Bishop Prince, I inquired again about Sister Prince. He said that she still had a bad cough that just would not go away. He said that she had made another appointment to see her doctor.
Several weeks after that interview, I received a telephone call one evening at home. It was Bishop Prince. He said, “I’m calling to tell you that Dorothy visited the doctor to see if he could help her with the cough she had. He ordered an x-ray of her lungs. When he examined the x-ray, he noticed some spots there and referred her to another doctor. More tests were done. She was then referred to a cancer specialist and he has discovered that Dorothy is full of cancer. She has been told that she only has four to six months to live. She is wondering if you would give her a blessing.”
The blessing was given but with no promise of healing. Then came the brutal treatments of chemotherapy with one gloomy prognosis after another and little help to stop the spread of the cancer or the pain. Through it all, I witnessed from them complete submission to the Lord without complaint or blame. In every conversation I had with them during this difficult time they lovingly expressed their deep gratitude and faith in Heavenly Father and for the atonement of Jesus Christ. They “held fast to the confidence and rejoiced in the hope” of the power of the Atonement “firm unto the end.” They did not let go of the Lord, and He did not let go of them. The Lord had promised them that “even to your old age I am he; and even to [gray] hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and I will deliver you” (Isaiah 46:4). He supported them and filled them with hope, lightened their load, and calmed their troubled hearts. With that support, on a beautiful spring day surrounded by her loved ones, Sister Dorothy Prince quietly and peacefully was delivered from her pain and suffering and passed from mortality to the world of spirits. Bishop Prince confidently and patiently now waits for the day when they will be united together again forever.
Consider these statements by the Lord: In the Doctrine and Covenants He says, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:63). In the New Testament He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). In the Book of Mormon He says, “ . . . will ye not now return unto me . . . that I may heal you?” (3 Nephi 9:13).
We find these and many other similar pleas from the Lord in the scriptures because He knows that we cannot do it alone. Sooner or later, we will come to realize and recognize that. If there are some of you here this afternoon who have a desire to strengthen your hold and confidence in the Lord and His Atonement, may I suggest three things that will surely make a difference.
First: Be prayerful. Too often in the routine of daily life you may be tempted to offer hurried, mechanical prayers of no value. President Ezra Taft Benson taught,
We should avoid using the same phrases in each prayer. Any of us would become offended if a friend said the same words to us each day, treated the conversation as a chore, and could hardly wait to finish in order to turn on the television set and forget us (Ensign, Feb. 1990, 4).
Prayers that are filled with yearning, prayers that are offered when your heart swells with gratitude for the countless blessings God has given you, prayers that are focused and submissive to God’s will, often provide more understanding and help than you expected. Prayer can be a source of strength and serenity. The Lord promised, “Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing—yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:38). If you are not praying, please make a new resolve to start today.
Second: Keep the commandments. Brigham Young said,
They who try to serve God and still cling to the spirit of the world, have got on two yokes—the yoke of Jesus and the yoke of the devil, and they will have plenty to do. They will have a warfare inside and outside, and the labor will be very galling, for they are directly in opposition one to the other. Cast off the yoke of the enemy, and put on the yoke of Christ, and you will say that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. This I know by experience (JD 16:123).
Let us not delay in our choice to follow the Lord and keep His commandments. I believe that the most important commandments you can keep at this time are those found in the pamphlet For the Strength of Youth, Fulfilling Our Duty to God. In the message from the First Presidency found at the beginning of the pamphlet they wrote,
Because the Lord loves you, He has given you commandments and the words of prophets to guide you on your journey. Some of the most important guidelines for your life are found in this pamphlet. We testify that these principles are true.
We promise that as you keep these standards and live by the truths in the scriptures, you will be able to do your life’s work with greater wisdom and skill and bear trials with greater courage. You will have the help of the Holy Ghost. You will feel good about yourself and will be a positive influence in the lives of others (For the Strength of Youth, 2).
Please take time to reacquaint yourself with the contents of this pamphlet and commit to obey its teachings and counsel with exactness.
Third: Immerse yourself in the scriptures. Elder Richard G. Scott said,
The scriptures are an excellent source of understanding and strength when pondered with faith in truth. When the truths revealed are applied diligently, they become a vital source of worthy motivation. You will increase your courage to do what is right. Your discipline to adhere to the most important priorities of life will be fortified.
“The scriptures give eloquent confirmation of how truth consistently lived opens the door to inspiration to know what to do and, where needed, the divine power to do it. As you reflect upon how others’ capacities to conquer difficulty, doubt, and overwhelming challenges were strengthened by the Lord, the Holy Spirit will confirm that their experiences are true. You will know that similar help is available to you (“To Acquire Knowledge and the Strength to Use It Wisely,” BYU Devotional Address, 23 January 2001, Marriott Center).
I testify that by doing these three things—praying, keeping the commandments, and immersing yourself in the scriptures—will bring about the promise made by the Lord as recorded in Isaiah where He said,
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee (Isaiah 41:10,13).
Brothers and sisters, His promises are sure. Of this I bear witness.
Now let me conclude by sharing with you a story that Elder Robert D. Hales shared in his October 1975 general conference address. This story is about
Thomas Moore, a famous nineteenth century Irish poet, who, when he returned from a business trip found his wife had locked herself in her upstairs bedroom and had asked to see no one. Moore learned the terrible truth that his beautiful wife had contracted smallpox and her milky complexion was now pocked and scarred. She had looked at herself in the mirror and demanded that the shutters be drawn, and that she never see her husband again. Thomas Moore did not listen. He went upstairs to the darkened room and started to light the lamp. His wife pleaded with him to let her remain in darkness alone. She felt it best not to subject her husband to seeing his loved one with her beauty marred. She asked him to go.
Moore did go. He went downstairs and spent the rest of the night in prayerful writing. He had never written a song before, but that night he wrote not only words but also composed music. As daylight broke, Moore returned to his wife’s darkened room. ‘Are you awake?’ He asked. ‘Yes, she said, ‘but you must not see me. Please don’t pressure me, Thomas.’ ‘I’ll sing to you then,’ he said. Thomas Moore sang to his wife the song that still lives today.
Believe me, if all those endearing young charms
Which I gaze upon so fondly today,
Were to change by tomorrow and flee in my arms,
Like fairy gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be adored as this moment thou art.
Moore heard a movement in the corner of the darkened room where his wife lay in loneliness. He continued:
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still
(Irish Melodies, “Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms,” st. 1; cited in Bartletts’s Familiar Quotations, p. 542).
The song ended. As his voice faded, Moore heard his bride arise. She crossed the room to the window, reached up and slowly withdrew the shutters, opened the curtain, and let in the morning light (“We Can’t Do It Alone,” Ensign, Nov. 1975, 90).
If you have a greater desire to have the help of the Lord more abundantly in your life, I hope that you will not withdraw into the dark shadows of life, to blot out all rejoicing of hope and joy. Instead, open up the shutters and the curtains of your life and let in the light of Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ by praying, keeping the commandments, and immersing yourself in the scriptures. I promise as you do so, you will “hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (Hebrews 3:6). Of this I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.