The Tempest Raging

I am sure we are all following the news about Hurricane Sandy and the devastation it is wreaking upon the Atlantic Seaboard. Our prayers go out to those in the path of the storm, and especially to those brave men and women who are purposefully placing themselves within the parameters of this peril to serve, attend to, and rescue those in need.  I am saddened and dismayed that during this time of crisis, our President is insistent on continuing to campaign for his job, rather than actually do his job.  This is yet another example for me of the lack-luster leadership our current administration has demonstrated.  I digress. . .

The words of Elder James J. Hamula of the Seventy are stirring as millions sit in darkness due to the massive power outages from Hurricane Sandy.

“In the last days, the storms of mortality seem to be particularly intense and seem to be gathering in scope and fury. . .The thrust of Moroni’s message [to Joseph Smith on Sept. 21^st, 1823] was that “great judgments … were coming upon the earth, with great desolations by famine, sword, and pestilence” (Joseph Smith—History 1:45) and that the power to avoid such judgments was coming in the priesthood keys that Elijah would help restore to the earth. . .they who will endure the storms of the last days and will stand when the Lord appears are they who know and obey His voice. As the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith: “They … [who] have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day” (D&C 45:57; emphasis added). Such persons will have sanctified themselves through receipt of the saving ordinances and obedience to the covenants associated with such ordinances, understanding that when the veil is rent and all men shall see Him, “he that is not purified shall not abide the day” (D&C 38:8; emphasis added). Such persons will be those who have availed themselves of the blessings of the temple and made such blessings available to their kindred dead (see D&C 128:24; Revelation 7:14-17).”

-Elder James J. Hamula of the Seventy

(Ensign, Dec. 2010, Commandments, Calamaties, and the Second Coming)

I was able to share my testimony of this with our Primary children Sunday as we talked about ordinances of the gospel being available to all of God's children through Priesthood power righteously exercised in the temple. I had a large bucket full of brown. shredded paper, interspersed with white strips of paper that held the names of some of my ancestors.  These names corresponded with WANTED posters I had made.

I had several of the children take turns 'digging' for the names of my family members.  On a chalkboard, I had sketched a large drawing of the temple, and we talked about how Heavenly Father loves all of His children, and that He is not a 'respecter of persons'.  That He provides all with the opportunity to receive the saving ordinances of the gospel.  But that we must dig for and find our family members and take them to the temple. 

I know that we without our kindred dead cannot be made perfect, or whole; that heaven will be a little less so if we are not surrounded by our family members.  I am grateful for the sealing power of the priesthood, and that it is on this earth and available to us.  I treasure the truth that though the storms of mortality sift and separate, the sealing power unites and binds us together forever. 

Master, the tempest is raging! 

The billows are tossing high!

The sky is o'ershadow with blackness, 

No shelter or help is nigh;

Carest Thou not that we perish? How canst Thou lie asleep,
When each moment so madly is threatening A grave in the angry deep?

The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will, Peace, be still!
Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea, Or demons or men, or whatever it be

 No waters can swallow the ship where lies The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will, Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will, Peace, peace, be still!

May we find true peace and safety amidst the storms of this life.