Building on the Rock


O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. ~2 Nephi 4:34

When Captain Moroni fortified his cities, first he had his men dig deep trenches, and heap up the earth into high ridges. Then on top of the ridges he put timbers about six to eight feet tall. Then on top of the timbers he added a frame of pickets. Then he constructed towers to overlook the pickets, and places of security on the towers. In all, the defenses were strong and high.
This might apply to our battles today. Of course we can’t erect a physical barrier around our homes high enough to keep out the negative influences of the world. But we, too, can build fortifications with multiple facets like Moroni’s. Our children are exposed to worldly philosophies six hours a day, or more. The Gospel deserves equal time, or more!

• First, by knowing the enemy and understanding the miserable consequences of his doctrines, we are heaping up our earthen ridges, fortifying ourselves against deception.
• Second, those timbers are like our standards, standing straight and tall upon the ridges, high above the world.
• Third, the pickets on those timbers are like our obedience to the commandments. Every time we resist temptation, we become stronger, and the enemy becomes weaker.
• Fourth, the watch towers are for our prophets, and our parents, ever watchful, never letting down our guard.
• And fifth, those places of security are the scriptures. In Lehi’s dream, those who continually held to the iron rod, or the word of God, and didn’t let go (or in other words kept studying their scriptures daily,) and ignored the scoffing of the world, were the ones who made it.

Ezra Taft Benson said, “It’s easier to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent.” But much as we may desire to be morally perfect, we all fall short. Does this mean there is no hope for those of us who make mistakes? Thankfully, no. Does this mean that parents of errant children should give them up for lost? Again, no. In fact, doubt and despair are the enemy’s greatest weapons. What is to be done?

In the deepest throes of agony over his sinful past, Alma the Younger at last remembered something his father had said about the atoning mercy of Christ. Alma owed his father a huge debt of gratitude for teaching him of the atonement, even though as a youth he didn’t listen. In the end, it saved him.

Parental advice from an ancient prophet is today more relevant than ever.

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look” for forgiveness of their sins.
(2 Ne. 25:26)

In the Word of God, we have a rock-solid foundation upon which to build our lives, given us straight from the Lord Himself.

Dinner Talk

1. How do high moral standards protect us?
2. If parents leave the teaching of moral values to others, how does this compare to having weaknesses in their fortifications?
3. Once we build strong fortifications to protect our souls, why must we continue to maintain them and always be vigilant?
4. In what ways do we become stronger, and the enemy weaker, every time we resist temptation?
5. How does trusting God help us in our struggle to conquer waywardness in our character?

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