I'll Strengthen Thee

The opening hymn for Saturday morning session was How Firm A Foundation.

1. 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?

You, who unto Jesus, for refuge have fled.

2. In ev'ry condition - in sickness in health,

In poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth,

At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,

As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.

3. “Fear not, I am with thee; O 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.

4. “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, thy troubles to bless,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

5. “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.

6. “E'en down to old age, all my people shall prove

My sov'reign eternal, unchangeable love;

And then, when grey hairs shall their temples adorn,

Like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.

7. “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!”

I was very touched when hearing this hymn & read through all of the verses again today (even though they didn't sing all 7). My favorite verse is verse 3. 

The message I would like to share is "I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand". I was so impressed and inspired by hearing President Monson say he was 85 years old & called as an apostle 49 or 50 years ago. L. Tom Perry is 90 years old! It is amazing to me that they are so strong & young at heart. I know that they have diligently served & that The Lord has "strengthen them, help them, and cause them to stand" in their many years of service. This also strengthened my testimony of the Word of Wisdom & the blessings they have received from obedience to this also. I know it is because of their obedience! Heavenly Father will strengthen us and cause us to stand as well... If we try to be obedient and do what is right too.

Love, Deidi