"Lord, I Believe": Consciously Choosing Faith, When Experience Suggests Otherwise

What do you do when you don't know what to do? When you don't know what to believe? And when you're feeling the absence of solid, substantial, and quantifiable answers to your legitimate questions regarding faith, religion, the existence of a God, or something else of equal value and importance to you?

Reclaimed

The Forgotten Carols: Let Him In by Michael McLean

Now, I know yesterday I said that "I Cannot Find My Way (Three Kings)" was my favorite Forgotten Carol but that was partly true. "The Innkeeper (Let Him In)" is my favorite! Ok, they both are! :)

The part of this song that I identify most with is another intimately human tendency, to condemn and criticize yourself unnecessarily for mistakes:

He never would condemn me
I did that all on my own
He offered His forgiveness
And ever since then, I've known
He lets us choose each hour of each day
If we'll let Him in to stay; Let Him in
Let Him in, Let the peace on earth begin
Let Him in, Let Him in
Let the hope and joy begin!

And whether it be in your world today
Or a crowded Bethlehem Inn,
Find a way, make Him room
Let Him in!
Let the hope and joy begin
(It's beginning)
Let Him in
Let the peace on earth begin
(It's beginning)
Let Him in!!!!

I hope with the new year to come that we will choose to learn from our mistakes and move on, allowing joy, hope and peace to take room in our hearts and lives. Merry Christmas everyone!

The Forgotten Carols: I Cannot Find My Way/Three Kings by Michael McLean

I think it's a tough call but "I Cannot Find My Way/Three Kings" from The Forgotten Carols may be my favorite... but oh, I love them all!

This song represents that most human of situations--feeling alone and seeking for something--someone--anything to fill the void.

Somewhere beneath the glitter
That comes this time of winter
In many souls there is a cry
They may not clearly say it
But in their hearts they pray it
And you can see it in their eyes

'I cannot find my way
I cannot find my way
I cannot find my way at all
There are so many voices
So many different choices,
I cannot find my way at all.'

We're not alone,
We have a star
And it shines today
The love that He gave
Teaches how
And shows the way
That light,
it's clear to see
If we have faith and believe
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we.

The Forgotten Carols: The Shepherd (You Were Not There in Bethlehem) by Michael McLean

Another Forgotten Carol, The Shepherd (You Were Not There in Bethlehem) is a beautiful song of hope born after doubt and questioning. The character in this song is me, you and any person that first hears the story of Messiah then is presented with a choice: believe? Doubt? I LOVE the lines (pretty much the whole song):

...Somehow I did believe them, though everything I knew said I should not believe them--This story can't be true. . . 

I asked a thousand questions, their answers startled me. The more I heard, the more I thought, I knew this cannot be! And then the struggle started, my head was wrestling with my heart.

Why would a God from Heaven come to the world this way? Why in a lowly stable would the Messiah lay? I shook my head and asked them to tell the story one more time... 

Yes, I did believe them though I'd not seen a thing. I did not go to Bethlehem, or hear the angels sing, but there was something magic in the air that made me feel as if I had been there.

I knew that as the world moves on through time, there would be more stories just like mine, about the souls who've chosen to believe in something that they never got to see. 

Do you think you'll join us? Though you've not seen a thing? You were not there in Bethlehem to hear the angels sing, but if you feel the spirit in the air, then just like me you'd know 

That He was here, He was here! The King of kings
And Lord of lords was here! He was here and He will come again, For He was here!

I LOVE this song. It's all about choice. And I choose to believe.

Perspective on the Purpose of Sin and the Joy of Repentance--2 Nephi 2:23

"23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin." 2 Nephi 2:23

The above scripture is referencing the fall of Adam and Eve and the purpose for it. Might I offer an insight: without the experience and perspective that sin CAN afford us when we view it through the lens of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, coupled with the merits of the gift of repentance truly applied in an individuals life, we could not also experience the joys of doing good.

More plainly put, the highs and lows, the contrasts of life are intended to lend us experience and perspective. Like a small infant completely naive and innocent of it's surroundings, if we did not experience one, we would not understand the other. Food for thought.

Laie Hawaii Temple Cultural Celebration

Robert D. Hales - Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life

Whenever we choose to come unto Christ, take His name upon us, and follow His servants, we progress along the path to eternal life.

Elder Hales' October 2010 General Conference address can be viewed and read here.

David A. Bednar - Receive the Holy Ghost

These four words—“Receive the Holy Ghost”—are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction—an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon.

You may study a transcript of or view a video of Elder Bednar's October 2010 General Conference address, Receive the Holy Ghost, by clicking here.

South African Youth Sing of Christ

A Serviceable Twelve Days of Christmas

Rembrandt's Adoration of the Shepherds

I love Christmastime. I love everything about the season, especially the emphasis on the advent of Christ. And so yesterday, while folding laundry nonetheless, I had an idea hit me. What if for the twelve days leading up to Christmas you did a serviceable act each day? You’ve heard of Santa’s helpers? Here’s your chance to be even more. Be Christ’s helper. And really, your options are limitless. Here are a few:

1. Go to a friend’s house and help them with a chore; laundry, dishes, wrapping Christmas gifts, anything. Helping hands make light work.

2. Take someone who needs a boost to lunch. Stay as long as they need an ear to listen to them. Or, invite them for a special homemade meal.

3. Think of someone you care for and admire, write them a thoughtful note expressing your gratitude and drop it on their front door. You can do this anonymously too if you wish.

4. Adopt a family for Christmas and give them little gifts each day leading to Christmas or save up for the big day. If you decide to save up, make sure you do a little prep each day (the idea is to focus on others each day).

5. Call someone you haven’t talked to in awhile and chat. It’s always great to hear from an old friend.

6. Help your children (if you have children or do this yourself) sort through their toys and choose a few gently used items to donate to a charity or someone of their choice. It’s a great opportunity for them to experience the joy of sharing.

Anyhow, these are a few ideas of different things you can try each day leading up to Christmas. Trust yourself and follow any ideas that come to mind. You won’t be disappointed!

***If you’d like to try A Serviceable Twelve Days of Christmas you can begin on Monday, 13 December and finish on the 24 December. Or begin Tuesday, 14 December and finish on 25 December. Have fun and enjoy the Spirit of Christmas!***

Alma 37:36-47: Counsel With Christ And He Will Direct You

The Liahona

 36Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

 37Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

 38And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.

 39And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness.

 40And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day.

 41Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;   
 42Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions.

 43And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.     UAdd a Note 

 44For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.

 45And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.     UAdd a Note 

 46O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.     UAdd a Note 

 47And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell (Alma 37:36-47).

Proverbs 3:5-8: Trust in the Lord

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones (Proverbs 3:5-8).

2 Nephi 10:23-25 - Cheer Up, We Are Free To Choose

  

23Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.     UAdd a Note 

 24Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.     UAdd a Note 

 25Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen. (2 Nephi 10:23-25)

2 Nephi 9:50-53: Come Unto the Holy One of Israel

 50 Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

 51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.

 52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice (2 Nephi 9:50-52).

Sharing the Light of Christ

1 Timothy 4:12 - An Example of the Believers

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.     (1 Tim. 4:12)


Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Not sure? Try an experiment: read his words in The Holy Bible or The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ for a month. During this time try to be a believer and do and say those things that a believer would. If you're not sure what a believer would say or do, just look in the scriptures for examples. Any researcher knows that you can't conduct your experiment with one trial run to get solid data. You need to conduct your research over a period of time and repeat attempts. Persistence and a desire to know are require as you experiment with your faith. I have found for myself, through consistency and faith, that I do believe in Jesus Christ. It is this faith that is the foundation of all my life's happiness and hope and the source of fulfillment and purpose that I currently enjoy. Try this experiment and discover for yourself.

Lessons I Learned As A Boy