Be Firm in Faith

As I searched for ways that we can strengthen our families, I realized - again - that true principles will always be the best way. We live in perilous times, times that were foretold in ancient days. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:1, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." Paul continued describing the conditions of the last days. I know that he described the conditions of our day: "lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy," etc. The conditions of our day must be very similar to those in ancient America just before Jesus Christ visited the inhabitants there. "The church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord" (3 Nephi 6:14). We must stand strong and immovable in the principles we believe and the standards that we hold dear. We must do the things that are most important in our homes and that will be best for our families in the long run. Some of those essential things are sincere personal and family prayer, daily study of the scriptures, weekly family home evening, self-reliance, and provident living. No one else can do these things for us. We must do them for ourselves if we want to be "firm, and steadfast, and immovable." Our strength and commitment to be strong grows as we live these principles. As we stay committed to these actions, each day can be a little better than the previous one. Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said, "You cannot today remotely imagine what that decision to be unwaveringly obedient to the Lord will allow you to accomplish in life. Your quiet, uncompromising determination to live a righteous life will couple you with inspiration and power beyond your capacity now to understand" ("Making the Right Decisions," Ensign, May 1991, 34).