Shafts in the Whirlwind

For Girl's Camp a few years back, the Stake wanted everyone to memorize the scripture theme, which is Helaman 5:12.

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; 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, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

I started thinking about this scripture. I wondered, "What is a shaft?" so I looked it up in the dictionary and this is what it said:

shaft (shft)
n.
1.
a. The long narrow stem or body of a spear or arrow.
b. A spear or arrow.
2.
a. A projectile suggestive of a spear or arrow in appearance or configuration.
b. Informal A scornfully satirical comment; a barb.
c. Slang Harsh, unfair treatment

I think of all weather conditions, my least favorite is wind. Even on a nice day, a cold fierce wind can ruin it and on a cold day, wind can make it unbearable! So then to think of shafts (spear or arrow) in a whirlwind conjures up a very dangerous situation. Even some of the other defintions of shaft can help us understand some of the things Satan uses to trap us. How about a scornfully satirical comment? Sometimes Satan tells us things that undermine our confidence and faith and things that make us not feel good about ourselves. How about the slang term, "giving you the shaft". Talk about the ultimate in giving us the shaft! Satan will tell us anything to get us to follow him and then he will not support us in the end. He will leave us!

How different is the sure foundation of Christ. This is a foundation we can ALWAYS trust. In such an ever-changing world, how reassuring to know there is one thing that we can ALWAYS rely on or depend on. That is Jesus Christ. If we build our foundation on Him, He will ALWAYS be there for us and help us whenever we need it. If we follow Him, He will ALWAYS be there to help us and support us.

What a wonderful scripture to help us to understand the great importance of following our Savior and the help that is ALWAYS there for us.

Discerning between right and wrong in a confusing world

In studying the Sunday School lesson I thought this was an interesting little object lesson and quote. Sometimes discerning between right and wrong can get a bit confusing. When we have those times, we need to look at where we are in comparison to the "iron rod" and the "great and spacious building". If we are on the Lord's side of the line, the truth doesn't look quite as gray. The quote by Elder Scott from the lesson also reminded me of this quote by Elder Bednar, which follows.

I guess the truth is not always as confusing as we like to make it. Sometimes the truth is confusing because we are trying to justify or excuse our actions or someone else's.

Lesson 10: “He Inviteth All to Come unto Him”, Book of Mormon Class Member Study Guide, 7

Suggestion for Family Discussion
Have a family member stand in the center of the room. Explain that in this demonstration, the area to the right of that person represents all the good things that can be done in life. The area to the farthest right represents the very best things that can be done. The area to the left of the person represents all the wrong things that can be done in life. The area to the farthest left represents the very worst things that can be done.

Explain that Elder Richard G. Scott presented a similar object lesson. Then he observed: “In the middle, it is difficult to discern what is right and what is wrong. This middle area is where Satan works with righteous people. … It is easy to become confused here. Live well within the wonderful area of good the Lord has defined, and you won’t have any problems with temptation. If you are not sure whether something is appropriate to look at, to listen to, to think about, or to do, then avoid it. You could be headed for one of Satan’s traps” (“Do What Is Right,” Ensign, June 1997, 53–54).

The standard is clear. If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing. If that which is intended to entertain, for example, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us. Because the Spirit cannot abide that which is vulgar, crude, or immodest, then clearly such things are not for us. Because we estrange the Spirit of the Lord when we engage in activities we know we should shun, then such things definitely are not for us.
That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us, Ensign May 2006
Elder David A. Bednar
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles