STANDING FIRM AGAINST THE STORM

     Last week we had a wind storm, with winds that reportedly measured at 91 to 112 mph. Many people woke up to no power, broken branches and uprooted trees. About 1000 trees were toppled in Salt Lake City. 

    I marveled at the sight of majestic pine trees lying on their sides with upended roots--a sight I'd not seen before. 

(Sugar House park)

    I couldn't  help but wonder why some trees remained standing, while others didn't. An analogy started to form in my mind as I contemplated a verse of scripture. Helaman 5:12, ". . . that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation whereon if men build they cannot fail."

    I later read that some of the trees came down because they were weakened by fungi or broken roots. Others came down because of the soil they were planted in, or the lack of surrounding trees to help anchor their roots. 

    I wondered, 

    What is it that keeps me standing in the midst of storms? 

    How strong is my root system?

    How am I staying anchored to Christ?

    The first answer I can think of is having church at home. Bringing the ordinance of the sacrament into my home has been a special privilege with a sanctifying influence. As we've gathered together to worship in our living room, I've felt a stregthening power that has bolstered my family.

    We've grown closer together and my house now feels a little more sacred. My love for my husband has increased as I've watched him, dressed up in a white shirt and tie, administer this ordinance to our little family. I hope my children will remember this special time, when we gathered together and found spiritual safety in the shelter of our home. 

    Family prayers and scripture study have also brought us peace and strength. It has taken some diligence to stay on track with our Book of Mormon reading. But I know it is always worth the effort. When we come together at night to read the scriptures, I feel a good, warm assurance I'm arming my children with the strength they need to stand firm against the storms of life.