Half-Fast

Me: Why have you been getting such low marks on your schoolwork lately?
Son: Teacher keeps telling me I am doing everything “half-fast!”

For years now, “half-fast” has become one of my favorite terms. I think on it a lot, giggle about the misunderstanding, but also ponder on the lesson attached.  In the scriptures we are told to “hold fast” to the iron rod.  In Lehi’s dream, Nephi points out the similarities and differences of two groups of people.  The first group pressed forward, clinging to the rod of iron. (1 Nephi 8:24)  The second group pressed their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron.  (1 Nephi 8:30). The terms “clinging” and “continually holding fast” are very similar, but there is a difference.  Elder David A. Bednar said, “clinging to the rod of iron suggests to me only occasional bursts of study or irregular dipping rather than consistent, ongoing immersion in the word of God.”  To me, “clinging” is a synonym for “continually holding half-fast”.  This half-fast group ended up “falling away into forbidden paths and were lost.” (verse 28)

There is danger in holding on half-fast.  Life seems to be a test to try the strength of our hold. In the days of the early saints in the Salt Lake Valley, the test looked like this… leaky roofs, mice and snakes, gold in California, Indian attacks, crop-destroying crickets. (See Saints Volume 2, chapter 7)  All of these things plus more led to saints wandering off down different paths.  Only the most steadfast persisted and saw the miracle of the seagulls and the blessings after the trial of their faith.  In our day, the trials seem more spiritual in nature.  Our temporal needs are covered, we have plenty to eat, but our natural man appetites for worldly things are constantly tempted.  We keep our appetites under control when we are continually holding fast to the rod of iron, but our appetites control us when that grip starts to slip.

Lesson: If you practice piano half-fast or clean your room half-fast or do your homework half-fast, you may disappoint your mom, but she will get over it; however, she will not get over a half-fast hold on the iron rod.  If you love your mother, read your scriptures.  If you love your Father, read your scriptures.  Every day, Every day, Every day!