Change

 The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, "The only thing that is constant is change." Change is occurring around us constantly. As I sit here typing the time is changing, I'm growing older, the sun is changing position in the sky, winter is giving way to spring. Spring in and of itself is the hallmark of change and new life. And yet, most of us have different levels of apprehension towards change. Ranging from annoyance to outright fear. Why is it that the principle of change, a principle absolutely essential to our salvation by the way, is so feared and dreaded? I believe the adversary and the natural man in us would have us believe that change is bad, something to be avoided, when in fact it is change that can bring some of life's most beautiful blessings to pass. The promise of change can also give us hope when we are facing trial and adversity.

In the Book of Mormon the phrase "it came to pass" is found 1,381 times. Things don't "come to stay" they pass, they change, and if we are doing the things we should, the changes will "work together for our good". Today in Relief Society our closing hymn was Master the Tempest is Raging, I have always loved the beautiful descriptions used in this hymn. As we sang, I realized how it is the perfect guide to help us effectively come through change. You may have noticed I have been using change and adversity as synonyms in this post. I do recognize that not all change is negative or viewed as a trial or adversity. But for the sake of this post I will focus on the change we didn't expect or want to come into our lives.

In the first and second verses of the hymn we see anguish, fear, sin, change, pleading and crying out to the Lord for rescue and relief.

Master, the tempest is raging! The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness. No shelter or help is nigh.
Carest thou not that we perish? How canst thou lie asleep
When each moment so madly is threatening A grave in the angry deep?

Master, with anguish of spirit I bow in my grief today.
The depths of my sad heart are troubled. Oh, waken and save, I pray!
Torrents of sin and of anguish Sweep o'er my sinking soul, 
and I perish! I perish! dear Master. Oh, hasten and take control.

This describes for me exactly how change and adversity feel. Often I have found myself on my knees crying to the Lord to save me, for I feel that the situations around me are threatening to destroy. In Ether 6 we read the account of the Jaradites being led across the ocean to the promised land:

And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.
and it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.
And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters' and thus they were driven forth before the wind


The description of their attitude during the 344 days of this continuous storm and wind has always been humbling to me:

And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.

If we can remember that, when we are doing all we should, even the wind and the waves are working together to bring us towards the place the Lord intends for us to go. The chorus of our hymn explains the testimony we must have:

The winds and the waves shall obey they will: Peace, be still.
Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea, Or demons or men or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies The Master of ocean and earth and skies. 
They all shall sweetly obey thy will: Peace, be still; peace be still.

"No waters can swallow the ship where lies The Master of ocean and earth and skies."   When we take the sacrament we covenant to take His name upon us, as we do so, we become "vessels" which carry the Master of ocean, and earth and skies. We cannot be overcome by whatever change comes our way.

Master, the terror is over. The elements sweetly rest.
Earth's sun in the calm lake is mirrored, And heaven's within my breast.
Linger, O blessed Redeemer! Leave me alone no more, 
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor and rest on the blissful shore.

I testify that as change comes we will be given these moments of rest. Always to change again for the storms of this life will continue until the day when time shall pass away and we will all be changed a final time to become perfected like our Savior and Father in Heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen