My wife, Carol Lynn, and I were privileged a few years ago to study the Book of Mormon with a group of young singles enrolled in a stake institute course. We presented the material in the context of its being an inspired road map to guide our footsteps in the latter days, just as President Ezra Taft Benson had counseled: “We must make the Book of Mormon a center focus of study [as] it was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us. Mormon wrote near the end of the Nephite civilization. Under the inspiration of God, who sees all things from the beginning, he abridged centuries of records, choosing the stories, speeches, and events that would be most helpful to us… . If they saw our day and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, ‘Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?’” (Ensign, Nov. 1986, 4).
That question was answered for us dramatically by an event that occurred shortly after the commencement of the institute class that year—the terror attack of September 11, 2001. Like everyone in the nation, we were shocked by the devastating upheaval wrought upon our way of life by evil forces. Could there be any security and peace after such a revolutionary shift in the status quo? And then we read together from the words of Isaiah that Nephi had included in his record: “And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and a covert from storm and from rain” (2 Nephi 14:5–6, compare Isaiah 4:5–6).
One of the students later wrote to us expressing how the Book of Mormon, and specifically that passage from Isaiah, had been a blessing and a guide at a time of challenge: “When I consider 2 Nephi 14:5–6, I can’t help but think of our nation’s recent events. In a time when evil is so apparent and terror so present, I have asked myself where I might find refuge or safety. Right now I live far from the ‘Holy Places’ of my youth, namely my family and dear friends. But even so far away, I can find refuge in many places, like institute. After a hectic day at work, where my attention is distracted by so many busy, yet less important things, I am glad to have institute as a refuge, a place to associate with other saints, to feel the Spirit, and to study the word of God. It has truly been a blessing, ‘a covert from storm and from rain.’” (Richard J. Allen)
A Place of Refuge, and a Covert from Storm and from Rain
In latter-day scripture, the Lord has proclaimed: “Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places” (D&C 101:22). That gathering ensures for the faithful and obedient a continuing access to light and truth—as well as to safety and security: “And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.” (D&C 115:6). Elder Boyd K. Packer has explained this concept:
Each stake is a defense and a refuge and a standard. A stake is self-contained with all that is needed for the salvation and exaltation of those who would come within its influence, and temples are ever closer… .
We speak of the Church as our refuge, our defense. There is safety and protection in the Church. It centers in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Latter-day Saints learn to look within themselves to see the redeeming power of the Savior of all mankind. The principles of the gospel taught in the Church and learned from the scriptures become a guide for each of us individually and for our families.
We know that the homes we establish, and those of our descendants, will be the refuge spoken of in the revelations—the “light,” the “standard,” the “ensign” for all nations, and the “refuge” against the gathering storms (see D&C 115:5–6; Isaiah 11:12; 2 Nephi 21:12).
The ensign to which all of us are to rally is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father, whose Church this is and whose name we bear and whose authority we carry. ( “A Defense and a Refuge,” Ensign, Nov. 2006, 87–88)
These passages from Isaiah invoke a special set of questions of conscience for us all: Do we express often enough in our family circles our gratitude to God that such circles of comfort and safety are possible only as a blessing from heaven? Do we recognize the privilege of assembling in congregations of worship where the Spirit can be dispensed liberally for our edification? Do we look to the temples of God as sanctuaries where the gathering is promoted with no restrictions of time and date, where the promises of eternity are fulfilled for all of God’s children of all generations?
How do we liken these passages from Isaiah to our daily lives? Here is a short checklist of ideas to aid us in worshipping the Lord in courage and truth, thereby showing our worthiness to receive the protecting hand of the Lord:
• Strive to become and remain part of the Lord’s fold—the pure in heart (see D&C 97:21).
• Stand in holy places (see D&C 101:22).
• Maintain a perspective that is long-suffering and patient, for things work out in the due time of the Lord, and the trials of life are for our ultimate good.
• Remember that the protecting hand of the Lord comes to those who do their part.
• Operate on faith, with hope in the comfort and security of the Lord’s care.