Elder W. Craig Zwick, of the First Quorum of the Seventy, urged students to better build their lives on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ in his devotional address at BYU-Hawaii on April 15, and offered suggestions on “creating and strengthening a sure foundation.”
Sister Zwick spoke first and shared a short story about their son, Scott, who is mentally handicapped. Despite his disability, she said Scott loves talking with everyone, and especially sharing the gospel. “Don’t limit yourselves by what you think is your capacity, but let the Lord expand it, and He will,” she encouraged.
Elder Zwick followed with advice and a series of questions to help guide students in their spiritual lives. For example, he told of taking a road trip with Scott who, after remaining unusually quiet and pensive, asked, “Dad, do you know Jesus?”
Elder Zwick taught why this was a profound question and shared its importance. “A powerful question,” he said, “powerful to recognize that part of life’s purpose and the fullness of joy that we can experience here in mortality has so much to do with knowing Jesus.” With Scott’s question as a starting platform, Elder Zwick weaved through other questions to provoke self-reflection, including: What is a sure foundation? How can we build our lives upon a sure foundation of Christ? How do you feel when you are obedient?
Before Elder Zwick was called as a general authority, he pointed out he owned a commercial construction company that was contracted to build the Portland, Oregon Temple. As work on the foundation of the temple was to begin, Portland received its worst rainstorm in history, prompting alterations to the building plans. Pilings had to be drilled down to the bedrock layer, to secure the foundation.
“That adjustment was critical,” Elder Zwick said. “I submit this morning that now may be the time for you to make, even if they are minor, adjustments in your own foundation, such that you might be so properly anchored, that your pattern of integrity and your pattern of structural design spiritually will never fall.”
“Some of the ways you might decide today to strengthen your foundation might be as simple as to complete your education, to not waver, to not just take it one course at a time without a clearly defined ending point of performance. Maybe that would include a slight adjustment to your foundation that would include better use of the day. Maybe it would include something along the lines of a better work habit or better study habits.”
Elder Zwick focused on several critical requirements needed to to create and strengthen sure foundations built upon the Savior:
• Seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost. “The key element is to listen,” he said. “The Holy Ghost gives insightful understanding into the attributes of Jesus Christ, and as you listen and study more, you will gain an even greater witness of the Savior.”
• Nurture your faith with daily prayer and scripture study. “I am grateful that in the fifth chapter of John, in verse 39, we get clear instruction: Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testify of me. Once again, the Savior’s own indication for making an adjustment: search the scriptures,” he continued. He also explained we can do this just as the people of Zarahemla in the third chapter of Helaman gained a firm testimony and a “purifying and sanctification” of heart through constant prayer and scripture study.
• Keep the commandments. “Know that you know what is expected of you, and then as you gain deeper insight as to what is required, be prepared and qualified to follow that direction. You will become more like Him as you keep the commandments,” Elder Zwick said. “I know that there are temptations all around us here… We must, however, be faithful, and must cure our own foundation, that is, prepare our own foundation by worthily partaking of the Sacrament each week.”
• Follow the prophets. “It has been all of our sacred privilege these past few weeks as we shared in a solemn assembly, raising arms in the Priesthood quorums and in bodies of women and men all over the globe supporting President Thomas Spencer Monson as Prophet, Seer and Revelator, supporting Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf, supporting President Boyd Kenneth Packer as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and all other members… Together we know that the Lord has prepared these 15 men. I witness that’s true.”
“I return to the question, Dad, do you know Jesus? Yes, Scott, I know my Savior, with fervency of heart, my trusted brothers and sisters of this very, very special land. Represented in you are cultures and communities from all over this globe. I join with you: Yes, I know my savior. And this morning I bear witness to you that he lives and knows you.”
-Photo by Monique Saenz