At the October 1994 general conference, Elder W. Don Ladd of the Seventy spoke of the biblical account of how only Noah "and all that were with him" survived the great flood with which the Lord cleansed the earth of wickedness. (See Genesis chapters 6 and 7.)
"We all need to build a personal ark, to fortify ourselves against
theT rising tide of evil, to protect ourselves and our families against the floodwaters of iniquity around us," Elder Ladd said. "And we shouldn't wait until it starts raining, but prepare in advance. This has been the message of all the prophets in this dispensation . . . as well as the prophets of old."Unfortunately we don't always heed the clear warnings of our prophets. We coast complacently along until calamity strikes, and then we panic.
"When it starts raining, it is too late to begin building the ark. However, we do need to listen to the Lord's spokesmen. We need to calmly continue to move ahead and prepare for what will surely come. We need not panic or fear, for if we are prepared, spiritually and temporally, we and our families will survive any flood. Our arks will float on a sea of faith if our works have been steadily and surely preparing for the future."
Elder Ladd further said: "The most important thing we can do - young or old - is develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If we do, we will always be comfortable with ourselves. Any questions of self-esteem and self-worth will diminish, and we will have a quiet confidence that will see us through any trial. And the Savior's promise to us is `Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world.' " (D&C 50:41.)
