Firm, steadfast, and immovable

As I was a child I remember going to church and hearing in Sunday school about how we are in the last days? I always thought "how could the day's end?" It perplexed me as a youngster but as I have grown, and delved into the scriptures, I recognize the "last days" refers to the second coming of our Savior. I read the Book of Mormon, and whether you consider yourself Mormon or not, I love the teachings this book imparts of the Savior appearance in the americas. It is undoubtedly the best book I have found to share insight on preparing for the return of our Savior. 

As I was reading today in 3 Nephi 6, I was reminded of the great wickedness and calamity the preceded the Savior's visit. There was a great amount of wickedness, and as I compare that to our day, I recognize that things have come full circle. The evil about us today is all around, it does surround us on every side, temptations do abound. All sorts of distractions distance us from our God, and dull us to the light of Christ.  Sometimes I identify with Nephi in his heartfelt prayer when he is pained by the small sins that detract him from his course. 

This great book, The Book of Mormon, imparts great wisdom, and I am reminded of this each time I read in it.  This morning it became increasingly apparent that I follow the specific counsel and wisdom of 3 Nephi 6: 14 to combat such perils in our day. I absolutely must be "firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all^bdiligence to keep the commandments of the Lord." Firm, steadfast, and immovable; the image that conjures up in my mind when I think on those words, is a rock.  This week in primary we sang 'The wise man and the foolish man'. I love this song, because it is so simple, we can build ourselves on sand and be washed away when the storm comes, 

or we can build upon the rock, and stand still through the storm. 

Now is the time to decide, to be like the foolish man or the wise man. The last days are upon, wickedness is spreading hour by hour; and I can build myself upon sand or the rock. I have the choice, but to me their really isn't a choice, because I have already chosen a path to return to my father. To me the rock provides the "firm, steadfast, and immovable" foundation that I seek to get me there safely.  

In Yoga classes I often ask students to balance on one foot for an extended period of time (like 60-90 seconds).  Ok, so not that long in the scheme of things, but feels like an eternity when you are doing it.  Sometimes we just flow into the balance without advance notice and other times I prepare them mentally.  I have noticed that when they are prepared in their minds, and visualize their standing foot as an anchor holding them, they seem to appear more firm, steadfast, and immovable. When we flow into the pose sometimes their is unsteadiness at the beginning, but as they trust in their support of the earth and their standing leg, they too become firm, steadfast, and immovable.

 It is possible to balance without falling in the storms of life, but we must remember who we are, and where we are going, and most importantly to trust we will be supported every second.