A SURE FOUNDATION- BISHOP DEAN M. DAVIES

Let us accept the Savior's invitation to come unto Him.
Let us build our lives upon a safe and a sure foundation.

In the development of modern-day temples, careful attention is given to the design, engineering, and use of building materials.

Like the designers and builders of our time, our loving and kind Father in Heaven and His Son have prepared plans, tools, and other resources for our use so that we can build and frame our lives to be sure and unshaken.

THE PLAN IS THE PLAN OF SALVATION, THE GREAT PLAN OF HAPPINESS
The plan lays out for us a clear picture and understanding of the beginning and the end and the essential steps, including ordinances, which are necessary for each of Father's children to be able to return to his presence and dwell with him forever.

Faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end are part of the "blueprints" of life. They help to form the appropriate building blocks that will anchor our lives to the Atonement of Christ. These shape and frame the supporting structure of a person's life.

Then, just as temple plans have specifications that give detailed instructions about how to form and integrate essential components, praying, reading the scriptures, partaking of the sacrement, and receiving essential priesthood ordinances become the "specifications" that help integrate and bind together the structure of life.

If we do not provide for an appropriate balance in our lives of daily personal prayer and feasting from the scriptures, weekly strengthening from partaking of the sacrament, and frequent participation in priesthood ordinances such as temple ordinances, we too are at risk of being weakened in our spirtual structural strength.

Prayer is one of the most basic and important foundational building blocks of our faith and character. Through prayer we are able to express our gratitude, love, and devotion to God.
Through prayer we can submit our will to His and in return receive the strength to conform our lives to His teachings.
Prayer is the avenue we can follow to seek His influence in our lives, even revelation.

SHARING OUR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS,  AND DESIRES WITH GOD THROUGH SINCERE AND HEARTFELT PRAYER SHOULD BECOME TO EACH OF US AS IMPORTANT AND NATURAL AS BREATHING AND EATING.

Searching the scriptures on a daily basis will also fortify our faith and character. Just as we need food to nourish our physical bodies, our spirits and souls will be replenished and strengthened by feasting upon the words of Christ as contained in the writings of the prophets.

SEARCHING, PONDERING, AND APPLYING THE WORDS OF CHRIST AS TAUGHT IN THE SCRIPTURES WILL BRING WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE BEYOND OUR MORTAL UNDERSTANDING

This will strengthen our commitment and provide the spiritual reserves to do our best in all situations

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT STEPS WE CAN TAKE TO STRENGTHEN OUR LIVES AND REMAIN FIRMLY ATTACHED TO THE FOUNDATION OF THE SAVIOR IS TO WORTHILY PARTAKE OF THE SACREMENT EACH WEEK.

The sacrament ordinance affords every Church member the opportunity to ponder his or her life in advance, to consider the actions or nonactions that may need to be repented of, and then to partake of the bread and water as sacred emblems in remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, a witness of His atonement.

 



If  we partake with sincerity and in humility, we renew eternal covenants, are cleansed and sanctified, and receive the promise that we will have His spirit to be with us.
Worthily partaking of the sacrament strengthens our personal connection to the foundation rock, even to Jesus Christ.