“The Rock of Our Redeemer”

by Garry Weiss




Our Glory by Dan Wilson

In their efforts to overcome the world and thrive spiritually, Nephi and Lehi remembered the words their father taught in Helaman 5:6–12. Since one of my hobbies is collecting rocks, verse 12 has always caught my attention. “And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation . . . which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.” 

Many figures in Church history, including Wilford Woodruff, built their foundations upon Jesus Christ. Though Wilford suffered many trials, he remained faithful and was a valiant disciple of Jesus Christ. He wrote, “It has appeared miraculous to me, that with all the injuries and broken bones which I have had, I have not a lame limb, but have been enabled to endure the hardest labor, exposures and journeys—have often walked forty, fifty, and on one occasion, sixty miles in a day. The protection and mercy of God has been over me.”

We are here to be tested and tried, and as we cleave unto Jesus Christ, we will have a sure foundation in the midst of those trials. One of my tests occurred when I started college. I needed a job desperately and had an interview with a restaurant near my apartment. After the interview I was offered the job—as long as I could work Sundays. I hesitated but then agreed since I needed the job. 

Walking out of the restaurant, I couldn’t believe what I had done. So, I went back and told the manager I couldn’t take the job. He asked why, and my reply was, “I don’t want to work Sundays and miss attending church and partaking of the sacrament.” I was pleasantly surprised when he told me that was okay and that I wouldn’t be required to work on Sundays. This event strengthened me to stay founded on the rock of Jesus Christ.

President Russell M. Nelson has taught, “If you and I are to withstand the forthcoming perils and pressures, it is imperative that we each have a firm spiritual foundation built upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.” Why do we need this foundation? While teaching the youth, Wilford Woodruff explained that we lay a foundation with Christ when we are young “for character which will decide [our] destiny through all time and throughout all eternity, either for good or evil.”

Let us make sure we are founded upon the rock of our Redeemer. We can’t survive spiritually without Him.



Garry Weiss is a retired teacher currently living in Snowflake, Arizona, who loves his family, Church, community, and especially his grandchildren. His hobbies are journal writing, rock collecting, temple and family history work, and anything his grandchildren want to do and learn.

Endnotes: 

  1. “Autobiography 1865 Millennial Star,” p. 40, The Wilford Woodruff Papers, https://wilfordwoodruffpapers.org/documents/cf843226-566d-4e23-a130-51ccd1806635/page/1de03ea1-e303-4c71-9be8-a4eed6e063ea?utm_source=Website&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=CFM%208/25/24.
  2.  Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” October 2021 general conference, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

  3.  “Autobiography, 1882 Leaves from My Journal,” p. 97, The Wilford Woodruff Papers, 

    https://wilfordwoodruffpapers.org/documents/273ed6d0-eb10-4834-a559-479dafb4eb02/page/fc510138-598b-4d45-a000-c551799bd547?utm_source=Article&utm_medium=Website&utm_campaign=CFM%208/25/24%20%232.