Study Guide for "A Good Foundation against the Time to Come"

In this talk, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles uses the analogy of the construction, renovation, and foundation of the Salt Lake Temple to explain the importance of having a strong spiritual foundation in our lives. He emphasizes the need for personal spiritual renewal and the importance of foundational gospel principles in helping us withstand the challenges and trials of life.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What does Elder Stevenson say about the history and renovation of the Salt Lake Temple?
How does Elder Stevenson relate the construction of the Salt Lake Temple to our personal spiritual foundations?
What are the spiritual cornerstones that Elder Stevenson mentions?
What does Elder Stevenson suggest we do to strengthen our spiritual foundations?
How can we relate the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple to our own personal spiritual renewal?

Topics

Understanding the History and Renovation of the Salt Lake Temple

Elder Stevenson recounts the history of the Salt Lake Temple and its recent renovation. He highlights the vision of Brigham Young and the efforts of the Church to ensure that the temple is built to endure through the Millennium. He also discusses the use of base isolation technology in the temple's renovation for earthquake protection.

At general conference in April 1851, members of the Church voted unanimously to sustain a motion to build a temple “to the name of the Lord.”

The newly proposed seismic upgrade package for the temple would utilize base isolation technology, which was not even imagined at the time of its construction.

What is the significance of the Salt Lake Temple in the history of the Church?
Why was the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple necessary?
What is base isolation technology and why is it important?
How can you relate the efforts to preserve and strengthen the Salt Lake Temple to your own efforts to preserve and strengthen your faith?
What can you learn from the vision of Brigham Young and apply to your own life?

Building a Strong Personal Spiritual Foundation

Elder Stevenson draws a parallel between the physical foundation of the Salt Lake Temple and our personal spiritual foundation. He emphasizes the importance of having a strong spiritual foundation to withstand adversities and challenges in life.

What comprises the thick-walled, stable, strong cornerstones that are part of my personal foundation, upon which my testimony rests?

What are the foundational elements of my spiritual and emotional character that will allow me and my family to remain steadfast and immovable, even to withstand the earthshaking and tumultuous seismic events that will surely take place in our lives?

The best defense against these lies in our spiritual foundation.

What does Elder Stevenson mean when he talks about a personal spiritual foundation?
Why is it important to have a strong spiritual foundation?
How can a strong spiritual foundation help us withstand challenges and adversities in life?
What are the cornerstones of your personal spiritual foundation?
How can you strengthen your spiritual foundation?
What challenges have you faced that have tested your spiritual foundation?

Strengthening Your Spiritual Foundation with Gospel Principles

Elder Stevenson suggests several gospel principles that can serve as cornerstones for our spiritual foundation. These include faith in God and Jesus Christ, a testimony of the Atonement and the Restoration, sustaining the Prophet, family prayer, scripture study, temple attendance, and gospel learning.

What might spiritual cornerstones of our personal and family lives be? They may be the simple, plain, and precious principles of gospel living—family prayer; scripture study, including the Book of Mormon; temple attendance; and gospel learning through Come, Follow Me and home evening.

For me, the principles included in the questions discussed as part of receiving a temple recommend serve as a strong basis for a spiritual foundation—particularly the first four questions.

What are some of the gospel principles that Elder Stevenson suggests as cornerstones for our spiritual foundation?
Why are these principles important for our spiritual foundation?
Which of these gospel principles are already part of your spiritual foundation?
How can you incorporate more of these principles into your life?
What experiences have you had that have strengthened your testimony of these principles?

Undergoing Personal Spiritual Renewal

Elder Stevenson encourages us to view the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple as an inspiration for our own spiritual renewal. He suggests that we examine our spiritual foundations and consider what improvements we can make to strengthen them.

As I contemplate the next four years of the life of this beautiful, noble, exalted, and awe-inspiring Salt Lake Temple, I envision it more as a time of renewal rather than a time of closure!

In a similar way, we might ask ourselves, “How could this extensive renewal of the Salt Lake Temple inspire us to undergo our own spiritual renewal, reconstruction, rebirth, revitalization, or restoration?”

What does Elder Stevenson mean by spiritual renewal?
Why is it important to undergo personal spiritual renewal?
In what ways can you undergo your own spiritual renewal?
What areas of your spiritual life do you feel need renovation or improvement?
How can you apply the principles taught by Elder Stevenson to strengthen your spiritual foundation?

Living Exemplars of Strong Spiritual Foundations

Elder Stevenson shares examples of individuals who have strong spiritual foundations that allow them to withstand trials and challenges with faith and understanding. He emphasizes the joy and strength that comes from having a firm foundation in Jesus Christ.

One of the greatest joys of my life is becoming acquainted with and inspired by members of the Church all over the world who are living exemplars of faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel. They have strong personal foundations that allow them to withstand seismic events with steady understanding, despite their heartache and pain.

These are the devoted souls who understand the profound meaning of the lyrics “How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord” and “who unto the Savior for refuge have fled.”

What does it mean to be a living exemplar of a strong spiritual foundation?
How can a strong spiritual foundation help us endure trials and challenges with faith and understanding?
Who are some people in your life who exemplify a strong spiritual foundation?
How can their examples inspire you to strengthen your own spiritual foundation?
What steps can you take to become a living exemplar of a strong spiritual foundation?