"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock." (Matt 7:24-25)
It's no surprise that Christ's teachings could sometimes be considered cryptic. However, this little parable makes a great deal of sense, if we can just understand what "the rock" is that Christ is referring to. On a separate occasion, Christ was speaking with his apostles and asked, "But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt 16:15-18) In this case, Christ was referring to revelation as the translation for 'rock'. It was revelation that helped Peter know that Jesus was the Christ and the Savior of the world. It was through revelation that the prophets of the Old Testament led the church and their people. It is by revelation that prophets lead God's church today. It was by revelation that I was chosen to go to Japan. And it is by revelation that I, like Peter, know that Jesus is my Savior. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is operated by men. Men inspired by revelation. Revelation is the rock of this church. And, as Christ said, because our church is based on revelation, "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
One of the frustrating things about reading The Bible and Book of Mormon is that there are so many symbols that have varying meanings; as is the case with Christ's geological symbol. "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." (Psalms 18:2) Throughout the scriptures, Christ is cited as being a rock; he is the rock of our salvation (Hel 5:12), a refused building stone that became the headstone (Psalms 118:12), rock of offence (Isaiah 8:14), etc. I think it's safe to say that Christ, as well as revelation, is our rock.
Either way, should you build your house on these rocks, it will not fail, but withstand any storm or disturbance it is attacked with. Build your family around the teachings of Christ. Seek for his guidance in leading your family. This still applies to you if, like me, you are a family of one. I seek to keep Christ in my life always. I have scripture study every morning with my roommates, and when I'm not reading my scriptures, I'm thinking about them. Often, this extended meditation leads to revelation in the most unexpected circumstances and in regards to the most random subjects.
Christ is our rock. He is our salvation. You are entitled to revelation. Ask for it, and build your foundation on steel reinforced with an indestructible witness of our Father in Heaven's existence and his love for you.
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