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How Firm a Foundation
by Kari Mitchell / ga04172007
Thomas
S. Monson, “How Firm a Foundation,”
Ensign, Nov 2006, 62, 67–68
Opening Song:
Thought:
Purpose:
To review the October 2006 Conference talk and teach the importance of a
Firm Foundation in our lives and how we can strengthen our foundation in the
Gospel.
Ask:
What is a foundation?
Ask:
What kinds of structures are
built on a foundation? (accept all reasonable answers such as: buildings,
houses, road, etc. )
Ask:
Why do these structures need
foundations?
Tell about President
Monson’s conversation with President N. Eldon Tanner.
“In 1959, not long after I
began my service as president of the Canadian Mission, headquartered in
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, I met N. Eldon Tanner, a prominent Canadian who
just months later would be called as an Assistant to the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles, then to the Quorum of the Twelve, and then as a counselor
to four Presidents of the Church.
At the time I met him, President Tanner was president of the vast
Trans-Canada Pipelines, Ltd., and president of the Canada Calgary Stake. He
was known as “Mr. Integrity” in Canada. During that first meeting, we
discussed, among other subjects, the cold Canadian winters, where storms
rage, temperatures can linger well below freezing for weeks at a time, and
where icy winds lower those temperatures even further. I asked President
Tanner why the roads and highways in western Canada basically remained
intact during such winters, showing little or no signs of cracking or
breaking, while the road surfaces in many areas where winters are less cold
and less severe developed cracks and breaks and potholes.
Said he, “The answer is in
the depth of the base of the paving materials. In order for them to remain
strong and unbroken, it is necessary to go very deep with the foundation
layers. When the foundations are not deep enough, the surfaces cannot
withstand the extremes of weather.”
Liken the foundation for a
road to the foundation we need in our lives to weather storms and challenges
of life. (Use quotes from the talk. Some are given.)
“…if we do not have a deep foundation of faith and a solid testimony of
truth, we may have difficulty withstanding the harsh storms and icy winds of
adversity which inevitably come to each of us.
Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return
to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order for us to be tested, we
must face challenges and difficulties. These can break us, and the surface
of our souls may crack and crumble—that is, if our foundations of faith, our
testimonies of truth are not deeply embedded within us.
We can rely on the faith and testimony of others only so long. Eventually we
must have our own strong and deeply placed foundation, or we will be unable
to withstand the storms of life, which will come.”
“How can we build a
foundation strong enough to withstand such vicissitudes of life? How can we
maintain the faith and testimony which will be required, that we might
experience the joy promised to the faithful? Constant, steady effort is
necessary…”
“…we can fortify our foundations of faith, our testimonies of truth, so that
we will not falter, we will not fail. How, you may ask, can we most
effectively gain and maintain the foundation needed to survive spiritually
in the world in which we live?”
Talk about the 3 guidelines
that President Monson gives in his talk to build and strengthen our
individual foundations.
1) “First, fortify your foundation through prayer. “Prayer is the
soul’s sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed” (“Prayer Is the Soul’s
Sincere Desire,” Hymns, no. 145).” “As we pray, let us really
communicate with our Father in Heaven…When we remember that each of us is
literally a spirit son or daughter of God, we will not find it difficult to
approach Him in prayer. He knows us; He loves us; He wants what is best for
us. Let us pray with sincerity and meaning, offering our thanks and asking
for those things we feel we need. Let us listen for His answers, that we may
recognize them when they come.”
“William Cowper declared,
“Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees” (in William
Neil, comp., Concise Dictionary of Religious Quotations [1974],
144).” Let us not neglect our family prayers. Such is an
effective deterrent to sin, and thence a most beneficent provider of joy and
happiness. That old saying is yet true: “The family that prays together
stays together.”
2) “My second guideline:
Let us study the scriptures and “meditate therein day and night,” as
counseled by the Lord in the book of Joshua (Josh.
1:8).” “…I would encourage all of us to continue
to read and study the scriptures, that we might understand them and apply in
our lives the lessons we find there…” “Spending time each
day in scripture study will, without doubt, strengthen our foundations of
faith and our testimonies of truth.” Tell the story of Alma
meeting the Sons of Mosiah after they had been successful missionaries.
(Alma 17)
“May we also know the word
of God and conduct our lives accordingly.”
3) “My third guideline
for building a strong foundation of faith and testimony involves service.”
Show sign and tell about
President Monson seeing this sign at a dry cleaning establishment. He then
realizes, “…In actual fact it is the service that counts—the Lord’s
service.” Relate the story of King Benjamin. Use the prepared
flannel board pictures if desired. After discussing the
three guidelines, ask: What are some other things we can do that will
strengthen and build our personal foundations? Discuss the responses as
needed.
Conclusion: “As He
enlists us to His cause, He invites us to draw close to Him, and we feel His
spirit in our lives.”
Fear not, I am
with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
(“How Firm a Foundation,” Hymns, no. 85)
Closing song:
“How Firm a Foundation,” Hymns, no. 85
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