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; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall. (Helaman 5:12)

What caught my attention and started me on the path to further thought was the simple word, "Rock". Rocks are used quite frequently in the scriptures describing traits of people, describing tools, weapons, and metaphors. But my mind wandered to the absolute basic of what a rock is and how it is formed. So, on to the geology mini lecture followed by the spiritual follow-up. :)

Rocks are formed from various sources and have one of three main classifications denoting their source. Igneous rocks are formed from volcanic lava and ash. The action of intensely hot lava cooling is the main trait. Granite and obsidian are examples of igneous rocks.

Sedimentary rocks are bound together by intense pressure. Sand and pebbles can be found in this rock type. Examples of Sedimentary rock are Sandstone, Limestone and Shale.

And finally, Metamorphic rocks are formed by both heat and pressure. Example of this classification are Shale and Marble. The common trait is that rocks are formed by intense pressure and heat. Through this process, they gain their hardness. Rocks exist because of those traits. They can become mighty and immovable objects.

Is it no wonder that our Savior is so aptly described as a "rock"? He, the only perfect man to walk this earth was subject to intense pressure from those that denied who He really was. He was constantly bombarded by questions trying to trip Him up. But through this intense questioning, He was calm. When He entered into the Garden of Gethsemane, the greatest pressure known, yet greatly misunderstood or appreciated occurred there. It is where He atoned for our sins - every one of them. The ones that we have committed and the one we will yet commit. It was so intense that the scriptures record that blood came out from His pores. And to complete the atonement, which He willingly did so - He was scourged, beaten, spat upon to finally be executed by one of the harshest manners known to mankind then. Nails or spikes driven into his hands, wrists, and feet. Where the general prognosis for death was due to asphyxiation.

Yet, through all of this intense pain, He was heard to say "Father, forgive them..." He gave charge of his Mother's well-keeping  to a disciple. And when He uttered, "It is finished. Father into Thy hands I commend my spirit", it is when He willed His life to be taken. He did all of this because of His intense love for each and every one of us.

The church is built upon "the sure foundation", that is of our Savior Jesus Christ. The true foundation that cannot be shaken. As we contemplate this everlasting atonement, our lives have more meaning. The sacred emblems of the sacrament take on new and deeper meaning. Our trials become minuscule, and our love and testimony grows to be a "rock solid" statement - I know that Jesus is my Lord and Savior who loves me.