Elder Edward B. Rowe of the Seventy gave the BYU devotional address Tuesday morning, Nov. 4 in the Marriott Center — he spoke about how keeping our covenants anchors us to Jesus Christ, the rock of our salvation.
Elder Rowe began his remarks by discussing all the “what if” scenarios that college students think about during their formative years. Sharing his own experience, he suggested that though we may have a plan for ourselves, the Lord’s plan is greater than we could imagine.
“I hope [the Holy Ghost] will teach you individually how to develop confidence capable of overcoming any fear or anxiety you may feel about your life and future,” Elder Rowe said.
Elder Rowe discussed how our confidence should be in God, not in the world around us.
“Confidence that is born of the Spirit is a confidence instilled in us by God,” Elder Rowe said.
He continued by discussing how our covenantal relationship with Christ is like rock climbing.
As we work to ascend the cliff, there are safety bolts for us to connect to, allowing each climber to stay connected to the rock and arrive at the summit. The “rock” is Jesus Christ.
“The vital truth of the analogy is this: only by directly engaging and — when we slip — reengaging with the Rock, can we progress towards the summit," Elder Rowe said. "Indeed, Heavenly Father designed His plan so that we could rely upon and continually interact with Christ and His Atonement to ascend."
Elder Rowe shared his experiences in life of choosing to pursue academics over a football career. This decision led him to learn Russian, allowing him to live in Russia and other eastern European countries, changing the outcome of his career.
“Being true to my covenants and clinging to the Rock, through life’s challenges and disappointments, made these things possible" Elder Rowe said. "Most importantly, I came to know my Savior in a very personal way. I felt Him in my life.”
Elder Rowe closed his devotional remarks by addressing his original questions of the fears and uncertainties that students face.
“My friends, the antidote to fear and uncertainty is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a relationship built by making and keeping sacred promises with Him by covenant. It is in and through Him that you will find the confidence you need.”
He referenced scriptures from Isaiah chapters 41 and 43: fear can be replaced with confidence because of the Savior.
Elder Rowe continued, “Choose Jesus Christ to be your rock whom you will anchor yourself to by covenant — then climb and ascend by Him, with Him and through Him.”
Elder Rowe testified that keeping a close covenantal relationship to Christ allows us to come to know Him better and have more trust in His plan for us. As we anchor ourselves to Jesus Christ, our rock, we can have confidence in Him.