"We see about us constant change. Even the pace of life itself has speeded up. Sometimes it seems that the world is undergoing such throes of change that people are disoriented, not knowing what is of value. Right and wrong, however, are as they always were. The principles of the gospel are unaltered. All of men's evil speaking and all of men's evil acting cannot alter one jot or tittle of the commandments of God.
"The forces of good are clearly and continually under attack. There are times when it seems the world is almost drowning in a flood of filth and degradation. And I want to cry out, 'Hold on! Hold on to what is right and true. Therein is safety. Don't let yourself be swept away.' ...
"We, too, are faced with powerful, destructive forces unleashed by the adversary. Waves of sin, wickedness, immorality, degradation, tyranny, deceitfulness, conspiracy, and dishonesty threaten all of us. They come with great power and speed and will destroy us if we are not watchful.
"But a warning is sounded for us. It behooves us to be alert and to listen and flee from the evil for our eternal lives. Without help we cannot stand against it. We must flee to high ground or cling fast to that which can keep us from being swept away. That to which we must cling for safety is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our protection from whatever force the evil one can muster....
"The Lord holds forth a glorious promise to those who love him and demonstrate this love by faithful, devoted service and the living of his eternal principles. When the winds of change blow fiercely and the waves sweep over us, we have a tree or rod of principle to which we can cling for safety. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ which has been restored to the earth in its fulness."
- Spencer W. Kimball, "Hold Fast to the Iron Rod," Ensign, November 1978, p. 4
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I'm always intrigued by commentaries on the challenges of the time, and how conditions evolve. These reparks were shared almost 40 years ago; President Kimball noted how the "pace of life" was speeding up, and bringing additional challenges. How much more we would say that today!
But one of the keys is that "right and wrong" are unchanged; the principles of the Gospel and God's commandments have not moved. In the midst of the flood of challenges and opposition, the "waves of sin, wickedness, immorality, degradation, tyranny, deceitfulness, conspiracy, and dishonesty," we are urged to "Hold on!"
And not just hold on, but flee to higher ground. To the best of our abilities, get out of the path of destruction, the rushing torrents of wickedness. We find "higher ground" as we grow in spirituality and commitment to the Savior and His teachings.
As we do so, the prophetic promise is that we will always "have a tree or rod of principle to which we can cling for safety. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ which has been restored to the earth in its fulness."
For Sure!
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