History records a time when a plague swept the earth which resulted in mass death and social upheaval. How to deal with the pandemic could not be agreed upon, disharmony and incivility in society prompting a great deal of distrust, accusation and misunderstanding among the people of that day. Fear and lack of cooperation lead to far more death and destruction than otherwise needed to occur. Over approximately seven years, the 14th century plague known as the Black Death, is estimated to have caused the demise of 25 million people in Europe, or somewhere between 30 and 60 percent of the population.

There have ever been times of peril and unrest, plague and warfare, drought and famine, and our day is no different. With droughts and floods, wild fires raging, the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, violence and political anger exploding in our streets, clearly we are today experiencing a combination of tribulation that would challenge any people of any day. These are difficult times in which to live. Nevertheless, with faith in God and in the works and miracles of His ever present hand, we can live inspired in peace and harmony, even amidst war and calamity.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10

The psalmist expressed that while God is in our midst, even in times of great turmoil, He will provide aid that we be not moved, and like a mighty river stay our course. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof…. Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:1-3, 10).

Though there be wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and great storms, persecutions and unrest, fierce winds filled with flame and pestilence, to us the Lord’s counsel is to be still and know that He is. He will provide the wisdom and endurance to know where and with whom we should stand, as well as the peace and assurance to overcome the pressures of moving from the path that He has set for us, for our wellbeing and safety.

Admittedly, it is not always easy to be still, or continue the course on which the still small voice of the Spirit of God has placed our feet to stand or to walk. The adversary sows seeds of doubt in our hearts, a lack of self or divine confidence festers in darkness, and ridicule by those not understanding the inspired path upon which the Lord has caused us to walk, can make being still or standing firm a mind and heart wrenching experience. Indecision, embarrassment, social and peer pressure, lack of confidence, fear of not being accepted, or anxiousness about losing the love and respect of family and friends, can all be powerful inducements to forget who knows best, who He is, He who set our course. We can though overcome these pressures with faith in Him and in what He has guided us to be.

A dear friend and mentor shared with me a hymn from his youth that is specifically relevant to the subject at hand. He remembered sweetly words he sung in congregation. Based on Psalms 1:3 and Jeremiah 17:7-8, Shall Not Be Moved – Like a Tree Planted by The Waters is a hymn that is believed to have originated in 18th century American camp meetings and slave gatherings, providing hope to the hopeless. It is beloved and providing hope still as it teaches a lesson of standing firm with Christ and we shall receive all we need to stand with Him and be not moved.

Jesus is my Savior, I shall not be moved;
In His love and favor, I shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
Lord, I shall not be moved.

I shall not be, I shall not be moved;
I shall not be, I shall not be moved;
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
Lord, I shall not be moved.

In my Christ abiding, I shall not be moved;
In His love I’m hiding, I shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
Lord, I shall not be moved.

If I trust Him ever, I shall not be moved;
He will fail me never, I shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
Lord, I shall not be moved.

On His word I’m feeding, I shall not be moved;
He’s the One that’s leading, I shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
Lord, I shall not be moved.

I shall not be, I shall not be moved;
I shall not be, I shall not be moved;
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
Lord, I shall not be moved.

I am fond of the 1950 film Cheaper by the Dozen. Based on the book by the same name (not the also comical but inaccurate 2003 movie) this true story about Frank and Lillian Gilbreth raising their twelve children really hits home for Monica and I as parents of twelve ourselves. What I like most about the film is the goodness and common sense that prevail in this traditional American family setting. Frank and Lillian Gilbreth raised their children according to the standards by which they were brought up, holding firm to values such as hard work and modesty. They did not allow changing times or outside pressures to govern their values, determine who they would be, alter their public or private behavior, or put at risk their family wellbeing. In one scene where his daughter complained of embarrassment for the family’s publicly devout standards, Frank teaches a lesson to stand for what is good and right regardless of what anybody else thinks. He encourages fidelity to living higher standards without shame saying, “No person with inner dignity is ever embarrassed.”

In the years leading up to terrible wars, devastations and calamities that would try and challenge all of God’s children, the Lord gave this counsel in standing against the fierce winds of pending storms, “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved” (Doctrine and Covenants 87:8).

There are literal and figurative holy places where we can stand and be not moved. In the most literal sense there are places that identify as holy regardless of our efforts or actions. Places such as temples and chapels, ground that has been hallowed by consecrated action, the very presence of Deity, as Jehovah said to Moses on the mount, “Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5). There are also places that we make holy by what we do and how we reverence and take serious efforts that are made, as in the walls of our own homes, the places in which we work to provide for our families, or even perhaps places of healing or learning, whether they be indoors or outside. These are all places where we may be still, stand firm, be not moved, and know God is.

“Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.”

Doctrine and Covenants 87:8

There are figurative holy places where we may stand. These can be principles and values that we are taught and uphold providing spiritual and temporal security, fidelity in marriage and family, causes that secure freedom and peace, efforts for the common good and wellbeing of our fellowmen, and prayerful communion and obedience to God’s law, basking in the light of His love as we follow the safe and Heavenward paths that He has provided. We may be still in these things and not moved by worldly pressures, because we know God is in them.

Whether literal or figurative, spiritual or temporal, we may stand in holy places, and be not moved, for there is no embarrassment in inner dignity, faithfulness to God, family, country and one’s self. There is no need to be dissuaded from what we know to be true regardless of worldly pressures or calamities that may surround us, for as we stand in holy places as individuals, families, friends and communities, and are not moved, we find peace, safety and comfort in knowing that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” We need not fear, only to be still and know God, that He is. In triumph or trial, may we stand in holy places, the locations upon which God has placed our hearts and feet, and be not moved. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.