Area Leadership Message
Run to the Lord!
Throughout the Pacific Area, we are privileged to live on one of hundreds of unique isles of the sea. Indeed, we see Isaiah’s and Nephi’s prophecies being fulfilled that the Lord remembers “those who are upon the isles of the sea” (2 Nephi 29:7).
Years ago mariners arriving on these shores may have come seeking a peaceful place to dwell. They may have sought relief from oppression. It is said they came because the reefs provided greater protection from king tides and storms. Safety and protection were of the highest priority for those who came before us.
We live in a contentious, angry, busy, and loud world. “Dizzying distractions” abound. We continue to seek safety, refuge, and protection from the storms of life.
At One with the Lord
Nephi may have felt similarly when he exclaimed, “O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies!” (2 Nephi 4:33).
Why would Nephi make such a request through prayer? According to ancient custom, if a man was fleeing his enemies in a dark and foreign place, he could run back to his master. The master would place the hem of his robe over the man’s shoulder, symbolically covering him with protection. This act placed the man under the master’s safeguarding care. They would then embrace, as Arab chiefs still do today, signifying complete trust and unity. The master would make a place for him and invite him to sit at his side—they were now at one.
In this same way, the Lord covers us in the arms of His mercy.
The Hebrew word kafar means “to cover.” Kafar also means “atonement.” During the initiatory in the temple, we are instructed to wear the temple garment. The First Presidency explained that the garment is “a sacred symbol of Jesus Christ. … The garment is also a reminder of your temple covenants. As you keep your covenants, including the sacred privilege to wear the garment as instructed in the initiatory ordinances, you will have greater access to the Savior’s mercy, protection, strength, and power.”
We become “at one” with the Savior through His Atonement. We come closer to Him through making and keeping the covenants we renew at the sacrament table each week and in the house of the Lord.
The House of the Lord
For many years, the Church in the Pacific Area was blessed with 10 operating temples. This year, in Auckland, New Zealand, the 11th was dedicated. Over the next several years, the number of temples in the Pacific Area will double. Eleven more temples will be dedicated, beginning with Pago Pago American Samoa; Neifu (Vava’u) Tonga; Port Moresby Papua New Guinea; and Port Vila Vanuatu. Our access to the power of Jesus Christ’s godliness through temple ordinances is increasing.
Five promises are given by our living prophet as we run to the Lord in His holy house:
“Here is my promise. Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod than worshipping in the temple as regularly as your circumstances permit. Nothing will protect you more as you encounter the world’s mists of darkness. Nothing will bolster your testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement or help you understand God’s magnificent plan more. Nothing will soothe your spirit more during times of pain. Nothing will open the heavens more. Nothing!”
When we as a people choose to respond to the prophet’s invitations to act, our yearnings to choose the right and desires to fulfil the measure of our creation increase. Our children receive more protection and may become “steadfast and immovable” (Mosiah 5:15). They, like the sons of Helaman, may become a “sin-resistant generation”—even the spiritual gift of resilience.
Our prophet also taught:
“Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority. In a world filled with dizzying distractions, how can we do this?
“Regular worship in the temple will help us. In the house of the Lord, we focus on Jesus Christ. We learn of Him. We make covenants to follow Him. We come to know Him. As we keep our temple covenants, we gain greater access to the Lord’s strengthening power. In the temple, we receive protection from the buffetings of the world. We experience the pure love of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father in great abundance! We feel peace and spiritual reassurance, in contrast to the turbulence of the world.”