If God is at the Helm, then where am I on the ship? What are my duties? Where has the captain placed me? What do I know? What do I see?
Elder M. Russell Ballard gave a talk this past general conference titled "God is at the Helm." The overall message that I received from his words is that understanding and living the principles of the gospel can have a powerful impact in directing our lives. As former President of the Church Brigham Young stated
" We are on the old ship Zion...God is at the helm and will stay there...He dictates, guides and directs...If the people will have implicit confidence in their God, never forsake their covenants nor their God, He will guide us right." As I studied and pondered the meaning of Elder Ballard's talk I found 5 pillars of power that will help us sustain our captain.
Pillar of Power #1 "The Power of Witness and Testimony"
Elder Ballard teaches that
"The Church of Jesus Christ has always been led by living prophets and apostles. Though mortal and subject to human imperfection, the Lord's servants are inspired to help us avoid obstacles that are spiritually life threatening and to help us pass safely through mortality to our final, ultimate, heavenly destination." We learn in John 13:20 that "He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me."
We do not gain any knowledge without first witnessing. The scriptures teach us that the mysteries to the kingdom will be revealed to the faithful. I love a verse found in the Doctrine and Covenant 76:19 "And while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about." Elder Ballard continued to teach that
"We cannot separate Christ from His servants. Without His first Apostles, we would not have an eyewitness account of many of His teachings, His ministry, His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His death on the cross. Without their testimonies, we would not have an apostolic witness of the empty tomb and the Resurrection."
Through diligence and communication you will know where you stand on the Old Ship Zion through the witness of those who serve the Captain of ship.
Other scriptures that I found interesting concerning the power of witness and testimony:
Alma 5:15
Ether 12:19
DC 76:12
Pillar of Power #2 "The Power of Relationships"
"By understanding who our Heavenly Father is and our relationship to Him and to His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, we will accept Their commandment and make covenants with Them that will lead us back into Their eternal presence." What would Moses be without Aaron, Adam without Eve, Mary without Joseph, the stripling warriors without their mothers? It is important that we surround ourselves with good people. Be not afraid to pull away from those who are not living principles of light. By doing so you will know and understand what you duties on the Old Ship Zion are.
Pillar of Power #3 "The Power of Chastity"
Elder Ballard teaches that
"Heavenly Father created Adam and Eve for a lofty purpose. It was their charge to create mortal bodies for God's spirit children so they could experience mortality. By this process, Heavenly father sends His spirit children to the earth to learn and grow through the experiences of earth life."
The Lord is calling for us to be a chaste people, a people of virtue and understanding. Our God and captain has given us the solemn duty/responsibility, as He gave Adam and Eve, to create mortal bodies for his spirit children. I personally know of no greater joy than to walk hand in hand with your companion in following this charge. It is clear that our position on the Old Ship Zion is to "practice virtue and holiness before me continually" (DC 46:33).
Pillar of Power #4 "The Power of Warning"
As you work on the Old Ship Zion... what have you learned? And how have you learned it? Elder Ballard states
"The Lord's Apostles are duty bound to watch, warn, and reach out to help those seeking answers to life's questions...Please remember that commandments and covenants are priceless truths and doctrines found in the Old Ship Zion, where God is at the helm." King Benjamin in the book of Mosiah sounded a voice of warning to his people and throughout the scriptures prophets have watched and warned of things to come. As we go throughout our journey always look to the watchtower and you will know what to do and where to stand.
Pillar of Power #5 "The Power of R"
"Another important doctrine that we should cling to is to observe the Sabbath day...The recent emphasis of making the Sabbath a delight is a direct result of inspiration from the Lord through the leaders of the Church." - Elder Ballard
Remain unspotted from the world by Remembering the R's of the keeping the Sabbath day:
1. Rest
2. Refreshment
3. Renews and Reconfirms our love for the Savior
4. Respond to the spirit
5. Remember His sacrifice and His atonement
Isaiah 58:13-14 reads "If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; thou shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth..." I love these two verses because it teaches us that by observing the sabbath day you will be able to see the wonderful surroundings of your journey while on the Old Ship Zion.
I really enjoyed this talk and hope that you gained something from the Five Pillars of Power that was extracted in my study of Elder M. Russell Ballard's words. Let us find our place on the ship, perform our duties, bring others aboard, further our knowledge, and observe the beauty around us.
