Testimony is Character

An EFY counsellor shared this with our group over and over again back in 2003. It’s something I have come back to again and again,

“A testimony is fortified by spiritual impressions that confirm the validity of a teaching, of a righteous act, or of a warning of pending danger. Often such guidance is accompanied by powerful emotions that make it difficult to speak and bring tears to the eyes. But a testimony is not emotion. It is the very essence of character woven from threads born of countless correct decisions. These choices are made with trusting faith in things that are believed and, at least initially, are not seen (Emphasis added).”

Richard G. Scott
October 2001 General Conference
“The Power of a Strong Testimony”

What Oliver Cowdrey reminded me of

I hardly remember the details, but it was one of those moments that just stick. The TV was on, a man was speaking on miracles and the priesthood. This man, whoever he was, had some remarkable experiences giving blessings. I remember no other details except for a story about a woman confined to a wheelchair who came to her Bishop, asking to be healed. As her Bishop prepared for the blessing, he received a spiritual confirmation that she indeed could be healed. The time for the blessing came, the Bishop faithfully pronounced the blessing. The prayer concluded and this woman began to rise out of her chair. She then paused, and said something like “well maybe, it’s not to be…” And then sat back down. That was that.

When Oliver Cowdrey failed to translate more than just a couple words after The Lord told him he would have power to do so, The Lord gently explained,

“And, behold, it is because that you did not continue as you commenced, when you began to translate, that I have taken away this privilege from you” (D&C 9:5).

In a CES fireside, Elder Holland characterized this as missing an opportunity of a lifetime because he missed the lifetime of the opportunity.

These are good reminders to me of God’s love and mercy to extend such wonderful blessings to us but it also serves as gentle nudge forward. To step forward toward the throne and kneel: to trust Him without second guessing myself.

As Paul instructed the Hebrews,

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise,” (Hebrews, Chapter 10:35-36).

Trials Designed to Make Us Stronger also can Diminish or Destroy Faith

Elder Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve taught us about the purposes and challenges of trials. He said,

“Think it not strange,” [the Apostle Peter] said, “concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.”

“These fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son of God and to weaken your resolve to keep your promises to Him. These trials are often camouflaged, making them difficult to identify. They take root in our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, our sensitivities, or in those things that matter most to us. A real but manageable test for one can be a fiery trial for another…

“By definition, trials will be trying. There may be anguish, confusion, sleepless nights, and pillows wet with tears. But our trials need not be spiritually fatal. They need not take us from our covenants or from the household of God.”

Neil L. Andersen
2012 October General Conference, “Trial of Your Faith”, Sat. Afternoon Session

Our Doctrine is Not Hard to Find

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught,

“A few question their faith when they find a statement made by a Church leader decades ago that seems incongruent with our doctrine. There is an important principle that governs the doctrine of the Church. The doctrine is taught by all 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. It is not hidden in an obscure paragraph of one talk. True principles are taught frequently and by many. Our doctrine is not difficult to find.”

2012 October General Conference, Trial of Your Faith, Sat. Afternoon Session – By Neil L. Andersen

The Foundation for Faith

An important component to faith is our personal integrity. Henry B. Eyring taught,

“The ground must be carefully prepared for our foundation of faith to withstand the storms that will come into every life. That solid basis for a foundation of faith is personal integrity.

Our choosing the right consistently whenever the choice is placed before us creates the solid ground under our faith.”

2012 April General Conference, Mountains to Climb, Sat. Morning Session

Faith Best Formed at Home

Boyd K. Packer taught us that the home is the best place to develop our faith and spiritual protection. He said,

“One thing is very clear: the safest place and the best protection against the moral and spiritual diseases is a stable home and family. This has always been true; it will be true forever. We must keep that foremost in our minds.

The scriptures speak of “the shield of faith wherewith,” the Lord said, “ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” ( D&C 27:17).

This shield of faith is best fabricated in a cottage industry. While the shield can be polished in classes in the Church and in activities, it is meant to be handcrafted in the home and fitted to each individual.”

“Do Not Fear”
April 2004 General Conference

Acting on Inspiration Strengthens Faith

Richard G. Scott gave us a pattern for strengthening our faith. He said,

You can learn to use faith more effectively by applying this principle taught by Moroni: “Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” [ Ether 12:6; emphasis added.] Thus, every time you try your faith, that is, act in worthiness on an impression, you will receive the confirming evidence of the Spirit. Those feelings will fortify your faith. As you repeat that pattern, your faith will become stronger.”

“The Sustaining Power of Faith in Times of Uncertainty and Testing”
April 2003 General Conference

Building Faith

Richard G. Scott said,

“The Lord knows your needs. When you ask with honesty and real intent, He will prompt you to do that which will increase your ability to act in faith. With consistent practice, faith will become a vibrant, powerful, uplifting, inspiring force in your life. As you walk to the boundary of your understanding into the twilight of uncertainty, exercising faith, you will be led to find solutions you would not obtain otherwise.”

“The Sustaining Power of Faith in Times of Uncertainty and Testing”
April 2003 General Conference

Discipleship is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Neal A. Maxwell said,

“Paul wrote of how, even after faithful disciples had “done the will of God,” they “[had] need of patience.” ( Heb. 10:36.) How many times have good individuals done the right thing initially only to break under subsequent stress? Sustaining correct conduct for a difficult moment under extraordinary stress is very commendable, but so is coping with sustained stress subtly present in seeming routineness. Either way, however, we are to “run with patience the race that is set before us” ( Heb. 12:1), and it is a marathon, not a dash.”

“Endure it Well”
April 1990 General Conference

Safety in Following Prophet

Harold B. Lee taught,

“The only safety we have as members of this church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through his prophet, “As he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me… as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.” (D&C 21:4-5) There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory.”

The Improvement Era, Dec. 1970, p. 126

Role of Sacrifice in Salvation

Joseph Smith taught,

“Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life; and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth’s sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he does know, must assuredly, that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not, nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life.”

Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith 6:7

Give The Lord A Chance

George Albert Smith shared the following story,

I remember one day I was impressed to say to a missionary who was going to a certain town where they would not let us hold street meetings:
“Now remember, give the Lord a chance. You are going to ask a favor. Give the Lord a chance. Ask him to open the way.”

The young man went to that city, went into the office of the mayor, and asked if he could see him. He was going to ask if they might change the rule.

When he got there, he found that the mayor was out of town. The young man came out of the office, looked down the hall and saw on a door at the end of the hall, “Chief Constable’s Office.” He hesitated a moment, and something said to him: “Give the Lord a chance.” He walked into the chief constable’s office and told him what he had come for. When he finished the man said:
“Well, what street corner would you like?”

He said: “I don’t know this city as well as you do. I would not ask for a corner that would be undesirable, or where we would block the traffic. Would you mind going with me to select a corner?”
Just think of a missionary asking the chief constable to pick a corner on which to preach the gospel!

The constable said:

“Surely, I will go with you.”

In fifteen minutes they had one of the best corners in town, with permission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ where it had not been preached on the streets since before the war [World War I]. …

(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 17: The Strengthening Power of Faith)

The Lord Prepares the Way

George Albert Smith taught,

“The Lord has a way of accomplishing things that we are unable to do, and never asks us to do anything that he does not make the way possible. That is what he told us through Nephi. He will not require anything without preparing the way.

“’And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.’ [1 Nephi 3:7.]

“If you have something that the Lord asks or expects you to do and you don’t know just how to proceed, do your best. Move in the direction that you ought to go; trust the Lord, give him a chance, and he will never fail you.”

(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 17: The Strengthening Power of Faith)

Formula for Faith

Jeffrey R. Holland taught,

The formula of faith is to hold on, work on, see it through, and let the distress of earlier hours—real or imagined—fall away in the abundance of the final reward.

(2012 April General Conference, The Laborers in the Vineyard, Sat. Afternoon Session – Jeffrey R. Holland)

Finding Spiritual Renewal

Recently, Elizabeth and I were considering where we were at in our lives and found ourselves identifying with the seeds in the parable of the sower where they found themselves in shallow soil and where,

“When the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away” (Matthew 13).

Of recent, we had felt just a little withered from the day to day minutia before us. Like waves beating away at beach without much replacement. We took some time in a recent Family Home Evening to consider this concern and try to identify how we can keep a better spiritual balance. How can we find spiritual renewal?

We started thinking of instances in the scriptures and what we can learn from them. Below are four stories from the Book of Mormon that we considered:

Psalm of Nephi – 2 Nephi 4:16-19, 27-28, 34;
Prayer of Enos – Enos 1:3, 4, 9;
King Lamoni’s Father – Alma 22:3, 18, and Alma 23:1-3
Alma the Younger – Alma 36:12-13, 18-19 and 24

As we considered these, Elizabeth pointed out three elements that were present in each story. There was an element of reflection and deep considering of who they were and their relationship to God. There was an element of sacrifice, where each individual gave something. And thirdly, that sacrifice was accompanied by an action and greater commitment to follow the Savior.

Perhaps the most profound revelation in this process was how much of this wasn’t a revelation at all. Meaning, when we take a step back and really consider what these stories are teaching us, it’s exercising faith in Jesus Christ and repenting of our sins.

It’s in the giving that we get the renewal we need. He that loses his life, for the Savior’s sake, shall gain it. Truly, the most sure way of finding spiritual renewal is in the promise of the Savior,

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek andlowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).

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Omnipotence of God