Stand Firm and Hold the Handrail

            I love China! It is a strikingly different experience and culture from the United States. One fun thing to do while in China is to look at and listen to the English translations of Chinese throughout the country. One particular announcement made me chuckle and fed me with inspiration.

While walking onto an escalator in the subway stations of Beijing there is a friendly feminine voice that advises you: “please stand firm and hold the hand rail.” I jokingly asked one of my travelling companions: “What do you think it means to stand firm.” She replied saying that at another time while in Beijing she asked one of her colleagues if she was standing firm and her colleague looked at her uncertainly not knowing if she was referring to her physical or spiritual wellbeing. This conversation I had with my travelling companion sparked a myriad of thoughts that raced through my head thinking about what it means to stand firm and hold the hand rail.

There is an actual handrail illustrated in Lehi’s dream of the Tree of Life that provides a great symbol and explanation of what it means to stand firm and hold the hand rail. The rod represents the word of God, and we read about the different approaches to the rod by the multitudes with their consequent results. I would like to focus on two different approaches. One approach was this:

“And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.” (1 Nephi 8:24, italics added).

The result is positive and beneficial until “after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed…because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.” (1 Nephi 8:25, 28). Another group approached the rod in this way:

“Behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.” (1 Nephi 8:30, italics added).

The result of this group produced eternal happiness and blessings. As we analyze the wording of these verses and apply them to our current topic we begin to see that there is a specific way in which we need to hold the handrail to maximize our spiritual blessings.

            In both verses it mentions that each multitude pressed forward and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron. This idea of moving forward is similar to an escalator and each of our lives. We cannot manipulate the time we have been given. Time moves on at a constant rate, minute by minute, hour by hour. Since we cannot stop time we need to make sure that what we do with that time is valuable and beneficial. On an escalator we can decide to either hold the handrail which will secure our safety, or we can risk it. In life we can do things that will secure our spiritual safety, or we can use our time in other pursuits that may be useful, but do not arm us with the proper protection necessary for today’s temptations. Elder David A. Bednar said of the second multitude: Perhaps this…group of people consistently read and studied and searched the words of Christ. … This is the group you and I should strive to join.” (“A Reservoir of Living Water” Church Educational System fireside address, Feb. 4, 2007, 8–9).

            Now, symbolically, I have to answer my own question. What does it mean to stand firm? An episode from history provides a positive instance of what it means to stand firm. The final battle of the Napoleonic Wars, called the Battle of Waterloo was at a climax when the British general Arthur Wellesley, or the Duke of Wellington was approached by an officer with a message that unless his troops were withdrawn they must yield before the larger French army.

The duke ordered, “Stand firm!”

“But we shall all perish,” replied the officer.

“Stand firm!” again was the answer of the duke.

(See Howard W. Hunter, That We Might Have Joy [1994], 148).

           

When we are confronted with temptations, and opposition we must not waver for James said: “For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” (James 1:6). In this particular case with the British army they were awarded victory. We may not always appear to have won the battle when standing firm if temptations and oppositions are originating from the ones we love, but when we stand firm on the “rock of our Redeemer” (Helaman 5:12) we can be assured the promise given in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10). Virginia U. Jensen testified:

“Your strong and unwavering faith in and knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and His plan for you and your family will be a great protection against conflicting viewpoints and evil influences. Your obedience and faithfulness to eternal covenants and commandments can bring peace and, yes, even happiness amid the chaos of this world. Armed with faith, you can stand firm and you can create a home worthy of Heavenly Father’s children.” (“Stand Firm”, October 2001 General Conference)

There are too many traps in this world for us to be careless in our constantly chaotic and consistently crazy lives. A loving and astute Heavenly Father prepared many “handrails” for us to hold onto to assure a safe journey back to him. It is up to us to decide to “continually hold fast” onto those handrails. With our grasp on the handrail and our feet firmly planted through this life we can be assured Nephi’s promise: “Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.” (2 Nephi 31:20).

 

Other Thoughts and Quotes

1 Nephi 2:10 – And he also spake unto Lemuel: O that thou mightiest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!

Together we must stand firm in the faith against greater numbers of other-minded people. (President Howard W. Hunter, “Stand Firm in the Faith,” October 1994 General Conference.)

“Ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men” (2 Ne. 31:20)

It is interesting that almost all of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon were not “active” members of the Church at the time of their death. How could an event so spiritually magnificent “wear off”? Why is it that seeing with physical eyes the work that everyone else had (and now has) to see with spiritual eyes was not enough to carry these men through the tests that challenged their faith? If it isn’t the marvelous and miraculous that keeps us headed towards eternal happiness, then what is it?