A church lesson last Sunday was entitled "Stand Strong in Holy Places," based on a talk by Elder Robert D. Hales, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Edler Hales gave the following story:
When I was in the ninth grade, I returned from my first out-of-town game with the varsity baseball team. My father discerned that the long busy ride home I had witnessed language and behavior that was not in harmonoy with the standards of the gospel. Being a professional artist, he sat down and drew a picture of a knight--a warrior capable of defending castles and kingdoms.
"As he drew and read from the scriptures, I learned how to be a faithful priesthood holder--to protect and defend the kingdom of God. The words of the Apostle Paul were my guide:
'Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
'Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.
'And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace:
'Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
'And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.''"
Never has it been more important to "stand strong in holy places" as it is in today's world, where evil is portrayed as good. Evil will never be good, no matter what spin is put on it.
So, for today, I am grateful for the reminder to "stand strong."
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