Is your path firm? by Sean Bennion

Firmness is one of the most elementary of Gospel Principles, even if it is not one of the most commonly thought of or even recognized. Firmness is described in the Miriam-Webster Dictionary as “securely or solidly fixed in place; not weak or uncertain. Also, not subject to change or revision, steady, not easily moved or disturbed, steadfast, well-founded, indicating firmness or resolution.” That’s a lot to take in, but in short, firmness is a sure foundation. A synonym is stout and strong, while an antonym is uncertain or weak. How does this relate to Gospel Principles though? It has to do with the concept of Enduring to the end.

In Jacob 3: 1-2 we read, “But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction. O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever.” This passage is referring to people who are finding it hard to stay on the Lord’s path due to persecution, temptations, or other such causes. The Lord is encouraging us to pray and ask for help. Firmness of Mind seems to be synonymous with faith in this case. It seems that one has to be firm in mind in the knowledge that their Redeemer will help them through a difficult time. In the next chapter, however, we are told that we need firmness in another area to make this one possible: firmness with the Holy Ghost. Jacob 4:18 speaks of “Firmness of the Spirit.” The Spirit is the means by which the Lord comforts and guides us, and to receive those blessings we need to be one with the Spirit.

I have been blessed many times in my life due to firmness of the Spirit, but there is a certain time I would like to share. I was hanging out with some friends, and one of my friend’s sisters came out and told us she had a certain product in her room she needed to hide quickly before her parents went through her room. We were just leaving in my friend’s truck, and she wanted us to stash it in the back just for a couple of hours. Honestly, what would that hurt? It’s not like we would use it. But I knew it would be unneeded and unnecessary temptation, and it’s wrong to lie to someone’s parents, no matter how indirectly. I like to be nice, though, and it is hard to say no. Besides, what if my friends made fun of me and told me I was just being a goody-good and make fun of me? But with a quick prayer I was able to tell her no, and my friends immediately agreed. There is a scripture that came to my mind: it’s Mosiah 15:5, and it is telling how Christ “Suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people.” It always helps to know that Christ has been there, and knows how we feel. Fortunately, though, my friends didn’t disown me.

King Benjamin, in his final address to his people, further testified of firmness. His entire speech was focused on the Savior’s Atonement, and begging his people to take advantage of it. The end of his speech, in the final synopsis of all he had been saying, was a plea with his people to be steadfast. He said, in Mosiah 5:15, “I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.” Steadfast is another synonym with firmness: they both mean immovable. This verse is powerful: it tells us that through being firm, or steadfast, we are brought into Heaven to live with our Father again. King Benjamin obviously felt strongly that this was important: it was the last thing he said to his people.

Being firm is key to our salvation. Firmness in your beliefs is the most powerful thing you can have: the Lamanites, because of their firmness, would rather be killed then commit sin: Alma 29:14 tells us that “When these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin.” The question we need to ask ourselves is: how firm am I in my faith? What would I, or what wouldn’t I do, to keep my standards? Firmness is the key to Exaltation.