Helaman 5:12

It is really hard to pick out any particular verse in the scriptures and say, "this is my favorite!", because as soon as I say that, suddenly there are a hundred others that jump out at me!  That being said, my favorite scripture is Helaman 5:12.

In preparing this post I was a little surprised, and frankly embarrassed, that with all my talk about scripture study, that this is all I had done with my FAVORITE scripture ever!  Just underlining.  That's it.  Seriously. Embarrassing.

But, we can repent.  We can do better, right?!  So...onward and upward!  Thank heavens for reading through a scripture three times!

Now that is more like it!!!

If it is possible, I love this scripture even more than I did before!!  I was spiritually uplifted this morning as I took the time to dig into ever facet of this amazing scripture!  (Have I mentioned how much I love scripture study?! Haha!!)

First of all, why is Helaman 5:12 my favorite scripture?  It tells us exactly what we need to overcome the influence of Satan.  I LOVE scriptures that tell us how to overcome Satan!  I am all over that!  More importantly, it tells us the source of that power -- Our Savior, Jesus Christ.  As we follow His commandments and are obedient to His example, we will find that we have the strength and power to overcome anything that we may encounter in this life.  "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  Philippians 4:13

I started by putting my name in the place of "my sons" so that this scripture applies to me personally.

"And now (right now, immediately, not later, not when we get around to it.  NOW!), my sons (Lora), remember, remember (DO NOT FORGET!!) that is it upon the rock (Matthew 7:24-27; D&C 6:34 - A rock is solid and strong, we use them to gain sure footing, to build things) of our Redeemer (to redeem means to make up for; make amends for; to obtain the release or restoration of, as from captivity, by paying a ransom; to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.  Jesus Christ redeemed us from physical and spiritual death, which we could not overcome on our own, and released us from it's effects through the Atonement and Resurrection), who is Christ (Christ is a Greek word, a title, which means "the anointed"), the Son of God (John 1:14) that ye (me) must (MUST!!) build your (my) foundation (We have to build it.  It takes work on our part to build this foundation.  It is not just handed to us.  However, when we are "done" it is all ours!  We built it!  The definition of foundation: the basis or groundwork of anything; the act of founding, setting up, establishing, etc.; basis for something physical or mental; support.  Our spiritual foundation is built on our testimony, scripture study, prayer, service, church attendance, magnify our callings, love others, share the gospel, ordinances, obediences. . .); that when (not if) the devil (Satan, Lucifer) shall (will) send forth his mighty winds (temptations, obstacles, opposition, anger, frustration, disappointment, etc.), yea, his shafts (debris, shrapnel - extra things that will hurt us even more!) in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm (3 Nephi 14:24-27) shall (will) beat upon you (it feels like that!), it shall have no power (NO POWER!!  God is that powerful!!  Despite Satan's raging, we can be completely protected!  We must, however, put ourselves into a position that we can be protected!) over you (me) to drag you (me) down (None of us, surely, would go willingly to hell with Satan, so if we make choices that put us in his control, and we realize what we have done and where we are going, we will put up a fight, and he will have to drag us there. Alma 12:6 -- 2 Nephi 9:45 -- 2 Nephi 28: 22-23) to the gulf (deep hollow; chasm or abyss) of misery (wretchedness of condition or circumstances; great mental or emotional distress; extreme unhappiness) and endless wo (exclamation of grief, distress or lamentation, "a condition of deep suffering from misfortune, affliction or grief." Book of Mormon manual, pg 110), because of the rock (blessings of obedience) upon which ye (I) am built, which is a sure (free from doubt as to the reliability, character or action, etc., of something; confident; assured or certain beyond question; reliable; stable; unfailing) foundation, a foundation whereon if men (all mankind) build they cannot fall (CANNOT FALL!  That is God's power!!).

I am grateful for my Savior and the power He brings to me daily to overcome the world and its temptations and wickedness.

Isn't that a marvelous scripture?!  You can see why it is my favorite!  So much meaning and strength for us to take into our lives!