I couldn't help but ponder some things as I came across this new born tree today.
First, this is a tree. Notice how is grows from this rock. This is a miracle of nature, but it is also a reminder of something greater.
In the Book of Mormon we read the following:
As Helaman gives counsel to his sons, he leaves them with this great, profound truth.
"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."
In shear irony, as I wandered back to the car, thinking of this little tree and the above verse, it did, in fact, begin to hail.
And I wanted to run back and watch to see if this tree survived the coming storm. I didn't, my kids needed to get in the car out of the rain... but I know that this little tree did survive. It had chosen a rock for its foundation.
Going back to Helaman, in verse 14 it says, "And they (the sons of Helaman) did remember his words; and therefore they went forth, keeping the commandments of God..." And the hail and whirlwinds came for them too. They were taken to prison, starved, threatened with death, and then set afire. And their rock stood still... in verse 24 "And when they saw that they were encircled about with a pillar of fire, and that it burned them not, their hearts did take courage." The Lamanites were astounded and feared touching them and could not move or speak. In verse 26, "... Nephi and Lehi did stand forth and began to speak unto them, saying; Fear not, for behold, it is God that has shown unto you this marvelous thing..." verse 27, "... When they said these words, the earth shook exceedingly, and the walls of the prison did shake as if they were about to tumble to the earth; but behold, they did not fall." And a dark cloud came hiding Nephi and Lehi from the Lamanites eyes and they were able to escape.
This is just one instance among many when the Lord has proven to be a rock and immovable. His foundation does not falter and will not falter. No matter how hard the wind blows, it will never move a mountain.
That little tree is still there, I know because I am still here. I have chosen the Savior as my rock and foundation and the whirlwinds and hails have come. And I am still here. I know God lives, I know His Son, Jesus Christ, lives. I know that They are aware of me and all of us and yearn to help us. Jesus Christ lived and died for each of us, so that He could be that rock. If we plant ourselves on that rock, we will never fail. The winds may come and the rains may come and they will come, but if my roots run deep within that Rock, they will have no success in sweeping me up, carrying me away or tossing me about.
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