"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?

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.

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.

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 11 - Lift Up Your Hearts And Rejoice; There Is A God And He Is Christ

Jacob saw his Redeemer—The law of Moses typifies Christ and proves he will come.

    1 And now, Jacob spake many more things to my people at that time; nevertheless only these things have I caused to be written, for the things which I have written sufficeth me.     UAdd a Note 

    2 And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him.     UAdd a Note 

    3 And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words.     UAdd a Note 

   4 Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him.     UAdd a Note 

   5 And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.     UAdd a Note 

   6 And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish.

   7 For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time.

   8 And now I write some of the words of Isaiah, that whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all men. Now these are the words, and ye may liken them unto you and unto all men.

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).

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.

2 Nephi 32: Enter In By The Way

. . . I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. . . . feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. . . . again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ . . . But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul (2 Nephi 32: 1, 3, 5-6, 9).     UAdd a Note  

I thought I'd share a study technique I frequently use in my efforts to "liken all scriptures to myself". I highlight action words, verbs, that indicate things the Lord wants us to do. I also highlight words that indicate order, such as before or after and used here in this scripture, "ye ponder . . .that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. . .(vs. 1) ".  

The second thing I do to clarify meaning is to underline principles and promises, such as in verse 3, which states the principle and promise, ". . . the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do".

By highlighting and underlining, I find that I'm able to more clearly sift through the language used and find the essence of a scripture. And then, when I want to return to it, at a glance I can see the gist of the verse. Try and and see how you like it!

Jesus Christ: He Will Save Us

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

http://mormon.org/jesus-christ

A God of Miracles

For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.  2 Nephi 27:23

Do you believe in miracles? Have you ever experienced one personally or know someone who has? Maybe I should ask, what is a miracle? You may be uncertain about miracles, but may I suggest they are real and possible and most often manifest through small and simple means. It makes sense to my simple mind that a loving God would offer miraculous aid to any who would humbly, faithfully ask for it. Why not?

To Know And Do Good

13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.  Moroni 7:13

12 And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world.  Ether 4:12

Our Lord's Tender Mercies Remembered

"The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works (Psalms 145:9)".

"I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance (1 Nephi 1:20)".  

 

"Things as They Really Are" by Elder David A. Bednar Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls (Jacob 4:13; see also D&C 93:24).


An excellent article published in the June 2010 Ensign and  Liahona, Things as They Really Are is a must read for any who desire help with cultivating the ability to discern what is actually real and true.

D&C 101:38: Seek The Face of The Lord Always

38 And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life.  (D&C 101:38)

John 13:34-35: Love One Another As I Have Loved You

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:34-35)

I find it interesting that the Lord's parting commandment to his apostles addressed the virtue of love and that love would be the hallmark of a true disciple of Christ. Of all the things He could have advised his disciples on, love was it. 

I believe love is intended to be the true motivator for all action and the sum total of everything good has love at it's core. And where love is, there we will find Christ.

Jeremiah 29:11-14: I Will Be Found Of You

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14 And I will be found of you, saith the Lord. . . " (Jeremiah 29:11-14). 

Christ is Our Central Focus

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.  
(2 Ne. 25: 26:)