The Unshakeable Anchor: Heeding Not the Scorn of the Great and Spacious Building

The hymn tune, 'Let Us All Press On,' has a way of settling deep into the marrow of the bones. It is a melody that, when sung with genuine heart, becomes a doctrinal anchor—a constant reminder of where our true allegiance lies. When Elder Bednar spoke of this hymn, he didn't just sing notes; he illuminated a profound principle of discipleship: the necessity of *heeding not* the voices of the world.

We are called to a path illuminated by covenants, a path that leads directly to the Tree of Life. And what do we see when we look back at the vision of Lehi? We see the magnificent, yet ultimately hollow, spectacle of the great and spacious building. Within it, the multitudes point, they jeer, they mock. Their voices are loud, their pronouncements are grand, and their seeming wisdom is overwhelming.

Yet, the response of Lehi, and the unwavering commitment of those who followed him, is a powerful declaration: "We will heed not what the wicked may say, but the Lord alone we will obey." This is not merely a sentiment for a Sunday morning chorus; it is a survival mechanism for the covenant disciple.

The Doctrine of Christ: Our Spiritual Shield

Elder Bednar rightly points out that the doctrine of Christ, written upon our hearts by the Spirit, is the very thing that increases our capacity to ignore the surrounding noise. The world, in its ceaseless flow of distraction, taunt, and diversion, seeks to pull our focus away from the Savior. It whispers narratives of self-sufficiency, of worldly power, and of immediate gratification—all things that distract us from the covenant path.

Faith focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ is not a passive acknowledgment; it is a principle of action and power. It requires us to *act* in accordance with the truths revealed in the restored gospel. When we make that covenant commitment—when we are yolked with the Savior—we are bound to Him, trusting in His merits, mercy, and grace above all earthly assurances. This connection is not merely theological; it is a lived, potent reality.

Covenants: The Deepening Connection

Consider the sacred ordinances. Entering into them, and more importantly, *keeping* them, creates a connection that is deeply personal and spiritually potent. It is an incremental drawing nearer to Him. When we honor the conditions of our covenants, we are not simply ticking boxes for the record; we are allowing the divine reality of the resurrected Son of God to influence our very desires, thoughts, and actions. He moves from being a central character in scripture to becoming the very lens through which we view all things.

This is the spiritual strength that allows us to fear not, knowing that the Lord is on our side. When the world screams its doubts and mocks our commitment to the restored gospel, our covenant connection acts as an unshakeable anchor. It reminds us that our assurance, our peace, and our joy are sourced eternally from Him and Heavenly Father.

The Disciplined Response: Study and Prayer

When I ask brethren across the globe what helps them "heed not worldly influences," the answers are invariably pointed toward the disciplined disciplines: meaningful scripture study, fervent prayer, and diligent preparation for the sacrament. These are not mere suggestions; they are the necessary tools to keep our spiritual sight fixed on the covenant path.

Brothers and sisters, let us treat our study of the scriptures—be it the Book of Mormon, the Bible, or the revelations given through modern prophets—not as an academic exercise, but as a vital act of spiritual warfare. It is how we build the internal fortitude required to withstand the barrage of skepticism and superficiality that characterizes the modern age. Our commitment must be to the eternal covenants, not to the shifting opinions of the age.