OGDEN, UTAH
In the shadow of the newly renovated Ogden Utah Temple, young adults of the Church gathered in the Ogden Tabernacle to hear the words of Church leaders during a Church Educational System broadcast on Nov. 2. The devotional was translated into many languages and broadcast throughout the world.
During the event, Elder Paul V. Johnson, commissioner of education for the Church and a member of the Seventy, made two announcements — a change to the devotional name and schedule and a change to religious curriculum at Church schools and institutes.
“Beginning in January 2015, CES devotionals like this will be called ‘Worldwide Devotionals for Young Adults,’ ” said Elder Johnson.
More than just changing the name, next year’s schedule has only three devotionals planned rather than five — one each in January, May and September.
“These changes are intended to highlight the importance of each broadcast and to ensure each young adult, wherever you are and whatever your circumstance, is invited to participate,” Elder Johnson said. “We hope you will make every effort to attend each devotional and encourage others to attend with you so that you and they might have a chance to associate together, listen to counsel from our leaders and receive personal revelation and direction.”
The other announcement affects institute students and students at Church-owned schools — Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Brigham Young University-Hawaii and LDS Business College. Four new courses — “Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel,” “The Teachings and Doctrines of The Book of Mormon,” “Foundations of the Restoration” and “The Eternal Family” — will be offered beginning fall of 2015.
“These new courses are intended to be cornerstones of your religious education experiences,” Elder Johnson said. “They are centered in the scriptures and the teachings of latter-day prophets, with a focus on the Savior, His doctrine and significant events in Church history.”
To learn more about the changes, see accompanying article in the Church News or visit education.lds.org.
After the two announcements, Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy spoke of the important pursuit of building a firm spiritual foundation.
Using the building of temples as an example, Elder Hallstrom said, “With the design and function of every temple, significant work is expended on what cannot easily be seen when the product is finished — the foundation.”
Using an artist’s rendering of the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple currently under construction, Elder Hallstrom described the process engineers went through to make the temple’s foundation stable amid destructive winds and invasive groundwater — harsh conditions that could damage or even destroy the noble edifice.
“Unlike building a structure, which by any definition is temporary, in building our everlasting — and hopefully — eternal lives, we sometimes pay woefully little attention to the engineering and construction of our foundations,” he said. “Consequently, we are left highly exposed and are easily buffeted by dangerous forces.”
In a world that is often confusing, it is easy for individuals to forget who they really are, the General Authority taught. That is why a firm foundation is crucial to staying strong.
“Jesus Christ is the rock upon which we must build our foundation,” he said. “The Lord referred to Himself as the ‘stone of Israel’ and emphatically stated, ‘He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall’ (Doctrine and Covenants 50:44). …
“This is not new doctrine. In one form or another, all of us understand it,” Elder Hallstrom said.
“We have been taught it by parents, in Primary, in our Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood classes and quorums, in seminary, in institute, by full-time missionaries, by friends, by local Church leaders, by the scriptures and by living prophets and apostles.
“Then, why is it so difficult for many of us to live it?” Elder Hallstrom asked.
That concept needs to go from individuals’ minds, to their hearts and to their souls, he taught. “It needs to be more than what we sometimes think or even what we sometimes feel — it must become who we are. Our connection with God, our Father, and His eternal plan, and with Jesus Christ, His Son and our Rock, needs to be so firmly established that it truly becomes the cornerstone of our foundation. Our identity then becomes first that of an eternal being — a son or daughter of God — and of a grateful receiver of the blessings of Jesus Christ’s Atonement.”
Other righteous identities can then be securely built upon that foundation because individuals will know which are eternal and which are temporary, and how to prioritize them.
Drawing from the hymn “How Firm a Foundation,” Elder Hallstrom spoke of the effort it takes to build and maintain a spiritual foundation.
“The construction process is a significant undertaking, and maintenance is a lifetime effort,” he said. “For you who are really trying, we sincerely commend you and want to know what you are doing.”
Elder Hallstrom then asked all listeners to “please use social media to share what you are doing” by using the search term #cesdevo when completing the statement, “I am building my spiritual foundation by … .”
“The responses will vary as much as individual circumstances do, and that is just fine. … We will be grateful to hear from you and to be taught by you about what is happening in your lives,” he said.
For those who have never had a firm foundation, or have — through neglect — let their foundation crack or crumble, it is not too late to put on a hard hat and go to work, Elder Hallstrom said.
“All the tools you need are available to you,” he said. “These are the same tools used to maintain an established foundation. You know what they are. They include consistent, quality prayer; daily gospel study through the scriptures; actively participating in the meetings of the Church, especially by partaking of the sacrament with real intent; continual selfless service; and diligent covenant keeping.”
Another essential tool is the counsel of living prophets, he taught.
Elder Hallstrom taught that in order for individuals to build and maintain a foundation they need to remember three principles — vision to see the eternal perspective, commitment to covenants with God and self-discipline.
“Ultimately, the strength of our spiritual foundation is shown by how we live our lives, especially in terms of disappointment and challenge,” he said.
After sharing the examples of two women who suffered trial and heartache, Elder Hallstrom spoke of the need of a strong spiritual foundation, especially in times of disappointment and challenge. The day one decides to take the disciplined efforts to build or reinforce their foundation will be a pivotal, even historic, day in an individual’s life.
“Whatever your circumstance, having a firm foundation will lessen your load. With the message of the oft-sung hymn, ‘I Am a Child of God’ in your heart and soul and not simply on your lips, and with a continual reliance on the Atonement of the Savior, Jesus Christ, there can be peace and comfort even in the most difficult of times.”
mholman@desnews.com @marianne_holman
