I absolutely love General Conference! I was able to listen to or watch all of the sessions (except the priesthood session, of course). And you know that thing about writing down a question or two you have before Conference to see if you get your answers? It works. I feel incredibly blessed and humbled that almost every talk had something that I really needed to hear.
One of the hymns during Conference was "How Firm a Foundation". Interestingly, this hymn was also sung at the General Relief Society meeting last weekend and in my ward sacrament meeting last Sunday. So I have been pondering the words quite a bit. I don't think there is anything quite like the message of this incredible hymn - all 7 verses - and I can't get through it these days without the tears choking out my voice. I am reminded of the foundational principals of the gospel, of the reason for trials, of the faithfulness and steadfastness of my grandparents, and over all else, I have been reminded of the all-encompassing love that God has for me.
"How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
In every condition - in sickness, in health,
In poverty's vale or abounding in wealth,
At home or abroad, on the land or the sea-
As they days may demand, so thy succor shall be.
Fear not, I am with the; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'erflow,
For I will be with thee, they troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
E'en down to old age, all my people shall prove
My sov'reign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And then, when gray hair shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs shall they still in my bosom be borne.
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake!"
3 comments:
AMEN!! Ever since the fireside we went to last month with Jack R Christiansen, I've been pondering this hymn, too. I've also noticed how often we have sung it as of late.
Love it! Love the message. Love how it makes me feel!
Thanks for sharing!
~Linds
The children in primary have been learning that song this year as part of their sacrament program so I too have contemplated the words lately. I especially love the second verse -- as thy days may demand so thy succor shall be. Thanks for sharing!
I, too, love this song, but another that I love is "I Stand All Amazed."
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