Living in the World

 

John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because it ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

I have been very saddened by many of the online discussions I have seen recently the revolve around the topic of religion. It seems like the world we live in today is so hostile towards any religious beliefs. The prevailing worldview seems to be that we must accept any (fleeting) urge or desire of someone as part of their true character. And if we question desires or actions, we are labeled bigots and everything that we say is dismissed without question. We are told that because religions teach that certain behaviors are unacceptable (such as masturbation), these religions cause guilt and are therefore abusive. What a clever way to get people to think that they have no need of change, no reason to strive for something better. And if you don’t think that you need to change, because you think that every urge and every desire and every tendency or inclination you experience is natural and good and should be celebrated, why would you ever turn to Christ?

An important note in this discussion is that I do not in any way believe that mankind is inherently evil. On the contrary, we are all children of God. We are inherently good. But we are fallen and imperfect and there is no getting around that fact. I look at the people around me and I know that despite their flaws and despite their troubles and their imperfections they are valuable. They are people. And they are children of God– the workmanship of His hand. I love them, however imperfectly I may do so. I see goodness in their eyes and I know that we are all trying to make sense of this mortal walk.

It is my sincere belief in Jesus Christ and his word that has taught me to love all people. It has taught me that there is goodness in everyone. It has also taught me that there is a better way, a higher power, and a greater joy than the world teaches. There is a better way of being than what I now am. I need God’s grace to change, to endure, to withstand. I will never be perfect on my own. I will carry with me weaknesses and regrets and thorns in my side. I have experienced physical pain and emotional anguish and broken relationships and deflated dreams. I have felt the weight of consuming darkness. I have cried out in my pain for relief. I have experienced the despair of knowing that my greatest hopes and desires are not achievable on my own. I have questioned my future. But as I became converted unto Christ, I came to understand that there is always hope. I can be better than I am. I can change. I can repent. I can become better. I can walk a better path each day — because my Savior leads me by the hand and shows me the better way. I have hope that in 20 years from now, the bad habits I currently have will fade into memory, that I will be more charitable and loving and all of my actions, that my relationship with my husband will be stronger, that my children – despite my parenting flaws – will be contributing members of society (or getting there), that I will be more capable when it comes to financial decisions, that I will not let anxiety prevent me from participating in activities and organizations and service, that I will waste less time on meaningless things, etc. In short, I don’t want to just be who I am. I get along with myself on most occasions, but I know that I can do better. And I want to do better. And I can do better with the grace, love, mercy, and strength of my Savior.

The world may mock and ridicule and deride. The voices may increase and get louder. They may spew hatred and false ideas. The philosophies of men may try to undermine the sure foundation of the gospel. The rationalization of society may lead many away. But I have built my house upon a rock. Upon the rock, the Savior of mankind, the source of truth and light and life. I have chosen this day and each day whom I will serve.

I truly stand all amazed.

 

 

Scriptural food for thought regarding the world:

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it feared him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

John 17:14I have given them thy word; and the world have hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: as I word is truth. 18 as thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Ether 12:4Wherefore, who so believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.

And don’t forget the story of the great and spacious building in 1 Nephi 8

Discussion questions:  How do you live in the world, but not of the world? How do you face the discouragement of worldly voices that try to tear down your faith? How do you use the example of the Savior to help you deal with the struggles that come with our fallen world?

Lay Up Treasure in Heaven: Fame, Faith, and the Kingdom of God

I don’t have a lot of time to edit this, so it’s mostly just some thoughts from my scripture study this morning. Perhaps it’s worthwhile.

Yesterday I saw a headline on a national news website that caught my attention. It read, “Jewish basketball team may lose shot at fame for faith.” You can read more of the article here.

Basically, a small Orthodox Jewish school in Texas has done well enough to play in the state semifinal basketball game. However, because the game is scheduled for the Jewish Sabbath (Friday at sunset to Saturday at sunset), they are not going to play. They have asked for the game to be rescheduled and the other team is okay with the game being rescheduled. However, it looks like the state athletic committee isn’t going to reschedule, thereby causing the Jewish team to forfeit their game and lose their shot at fame.

I think what really caught my attention is the fact that the headline was probably chosen in order to grab people’s attention and to make them feel that this is unfair and unjust. Why? Because they won’t get a shot at fame. Everyone should have a chance to be recognized for their achievements! Otherwise it’s not fair.

This morning I read 3 Nephi 13 (which is the same teaching of Christ that we find in Matthew 6). Christ instructs us that we should do our alms in secret, that we should pray privately and not seek the praises of men for our prayers, that we should “not lay up for [ourselves] treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (20). Christ also talks about how we should take “no thought for the morrow for the morrow shall take thought of the things of itself” (34). Ultimately, Christ explains, “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (21).

In these verses, and in others, the Lord is clearly telling us not to seek fame, but to “seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (33). He complements this direction by explaining that God “knoweth what things ye have need of”(8) and he “knoweth that ye have need of these things”(32). Thus, if we seek him first, “all these things shall be added unto you” (32). We need to stop seeking after the praises, riches, and fame of the world. We need to spend more time laying up for ourselves treasure in heaven “for where your treasure is, there will your heart also be” (21).

By writing this, I am not claiming that this Jewish school and basketball team are doing something wrong. I don’t believe they are simply seeking fame. I think it would be wonderful with they were allowed to reschedule and play. My comment stems more from the headline and the reaction it was meant to cause. We should be outraged that someone doesn’t have a shot at fame, is what this seems to say. I rather think that we should rejoice in the fact that this school is sticking to their faith. They are seeking the kingdom of God first because they know that “the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself” (34). The Lord will provide all things for those who seek him first, above the praises, riches and fame of the world.

Judging others

One thing that defines Latter-day Saints is the high standards we hold, which come from commandments that God has revealed through ancient and modern scripture. For example, we don’t smoke, drink alcohol or coffee, or use drugs; we don’t use the name of the Lord in vain or say swear words; we try to keep the Sabbath Day holy by not working; we attend three hours of church meetings each Sunday, with some additionally meetings throughout the week; we wear modest clothing; we don’t have sex or cohabitate before marriage; we pay ten percent of our income as tithing to God and His Church. I would like to point out however, that we are not perfect people, and not all of us even try to do all of these things, but these are some of the commandments that Latter-day Saints try to follow. I personally strive to follow these because I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I believe that Heavenly Father asks me to do these things. I know that no matter what little I manage to get right in this life is pittance in comparison to the gift of grace that Christ offers me. I will try my best because I love Him, but I will not be saved by works, I am saved by the grace of Jesus Christ.

I mention all of this because I know many people who feel uncomfortable around Latter-day Saints and think that they wouldn’t be welcome in our meetings or among our people. Even members who don’t keep the all of the commandments are afraid that we are constantly judging them. People think, “I smoke so I know they won’t like me” or “I am living with my boyfriend so I’m sure they won’t talk to me” or “I can’t go to their church because I drink coffee.” This makes me sad. To be honest, I know that unfortunately our high standards often lead to a lot of judging. But they shouldn’t.

My friend paraphrased a quote that she heard. I have tried to find the reference and I can’t, but it went something like this: “We want our sacrament meetings to be filled with the smell of smoke and alcohol.” (She attributed it to President Hinckley.) You might think: what?! So then, why? Because Christ said “they that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:31-32).”

Especially as Latter-day Saints, we should be accepting of all people. We do not have to be accepting of other people’s standards, but we are not put here to judge. We are put here to lift and encourage and raise others up, regardless of their faith or belief or lifestyle. We are here to share the love of God and the light of Christ with the sick and the sinners (of which, we are each one anyways). We are not here to surround ourselves with perfect people. We are not here to exclude and gossip.

I would like to add that this is a two-way street. I find that often, because people are afraid that we are judging them, they judge us. Why is it so often the case that people think that it is okay to judge someone because they do not agree with your lifestyle. I do not agree with living together and having sexual relations before marriage. I strongly believe that that is a perversion of God’s Plan of Happiness for individuals and for families. But I also know (and love) many people who do not hold that standard. It makes me sad, but it does not make me love them less. It does not give me the right to think that they are not worthy of God’s love or that they shouldn’t come to church if they want sometime. And yet, they are quick to get upset with me and tell me that I am judgmental. I just have a different opinion of how we should behave. I don’t embrace the behavior, but I can still love the person. I think this is a common problem with the gay marriage debate. I do not agree with gay marriage, however, I do not necessarily oppose it. I do however oppose it when people use it as an excuse to judge and discriminate against me. Don’t force me to agree with you. You have your own opinion and I have mine. And you know what? God love us both anyways.

This is a long post (they all end up that way), but I want to end with sharing a few scriptures that I really like. These come from the prophet Nephi in the Book of Mormon who is sharing his testimony of Jesus Christ. In 2 Nephi 26:24-27, Nephi testifies:

(24)He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him.

Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.

(25) Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.

(26) Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.

(27) Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.

 

Isn’t that beautiful? God’s love and blessings are for all of His children. Every single one of us, sinner and sick alike. We are all experiences the trials and difficulties of this mortal journey, and we don’t need anyone else to try and push us down. We need people who will encourage us and love us despite our differences and despite our problems. I hope that we will all strive to be blessings instead of burdens in other people’s lives. I hope that we will all choose to come unto the Savior, to partake of His salvation, and then to share it with others. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and it testifies of Christ. I know that God loves you and I know that Christ died for you. He is waiting to give you His greatest blessings.

The World is Full of … Love

Yesterday I was thinking about how it is easy to be overwhelmed with all of the trials, obstacles, disasters, and pain in the world. There are a lot of difficult things to deal with and to think about. But I also thought about how the world is full of wonderful things as well, most notably, the love of God.

I read an article about a blind horse that had been rescued by an animal shelter-farm in Montana. The horse has 5 goats and 5 sheep that stay with her and guide her since she can’t see. They direct her path so that she can find food. They stand between her and the fence so she doesn’t run into it. It’s an incredible story. I love the innate goodness portrayed in this story. I love the love and kindness that even animals can show one to another. I strongly believe that God created all people as good beings. We all lived with Him before we came to this earth. We wanted to do good.  Obviously, we don’t stay innocent and good. Some of us are just plain evil. But that’s not because of what God endowed us with. That’s because of the nature of mortality, because of the consequences of sin, and the temptations of Satan. All the same, if we seek it, there is a lot of good in this world. There is a lot of love that we can feel and a lot of love that we can share.

Sometimes I find it difficult to feel God’s love directly in my life. I want to. But I don’t. I find that it’s usually because I am too self-critical and self-doubting. I get stuck in negative and depressing thoughts, and I can’t see how anyone could love me, least of all my Perfect Heavenly Father. But I know that He does. I have felt it, and I will feel it again. You will too. But sometimes we need to seek out and search out His love. On a daily basis we should examine our day to see where and how we have felt and seen the Lord’s love in our lives. Was it when we successfully repented because we did something better today than yesterday? What is when we felt the love of true friends and thereby the more perfect love of God who gave us friends? Was it when we saw a beautiful sunset or spent time in nature? How did you personally feel God’s love in your life today? I think that is a question we should ask ourselves everyday. Because as we seek to become like Him and to develop charity, we must have personally experience with His love. In order to become effective servants of God, we must know His love so that we can share His love. So… How did you feel God’s love in your life today? Not yesterday, last week, or when you were baptized. Not during a prayer a year ago, or a sermon on Sunday. But TODAY. I know that His love is in your life today. Sometimes, you just have to actively seek it instead of passively notice it. I hope that we will all seek His love more in our lives.

To end, I would like to share with you one of my many favorite scriptures verses. This is from 1 John 4, which is a well-known discussion about love. In verse 8 we read the well-known declaration “God is love.” I particularly like verse 9 (and 10) because it tells us how we know that God loves us, in the simplest, yet most profound evidence of that love:

“(9) In this was manifested the love of god toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. (10) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

So what is the single most important piece of evidence of God’s love for us? That He sent His Son! That He gave us a Savior! Simply put, we know that God love us because He sent Christ into the world for our sakes. How important that testimony is, and how life changing. If you don’t yet know God’s love, if you don’t yet know who Jesus Christ is and what He did for you and why it matters, please seek Him out. Ask a friend, leave me a message, read about Christ here, ask the missionaries. It is worth it to know why Christ matters to you in your daily life, because He does. And as you come to know Him better, you will come to see that the world really is full of love!

Why does God let bad things happen to good people?

This is a question that I hear all the time from both religious and non-religious people. I’ve asked it myself. Recently, a family friend has been faced with a tragic situation. She cannot work because she is bipolar, and her husband was just diagnosed with terminal cancer and only given weeks to live. They worked for years and years to buy their own house and fix it up and now they’re going to lose it, along with everything else. They have a son in high school. I am so saddened by this. There doesn’t seem to be any sense in it. Why is this happening to good people?

I am reminded of a quote that I found long ago and that I love. It is from a talk by President Boyd K. Packer called “The Play and the Plan.” He talks about life as a play, with Act I being before we came to the life, Act II being this mortal existence, and Act III being what comes after. Here’s my favorite part of the quote, that answers this ever-present question eloquently:

“We progress or we are held back in life within the limits imposed by spiritual and natural law which govern all the universe. We sometimes wonder, if the plan really is the great plan of happiness, why must we struggle to find fulness of it in mortal life?

If you expect to find only ease and peace and bliss during Act II, you surely will be frustrated. You will understand little of what is going on and why it is permitted to be as they are.

Remember this! The line “And they all lived happily ever after” is never written into the second act. That Line belongs in the third act when the mysteries are solved and everything is put right. The Apostle was right when he said, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”  (1 Corinthians 15:19.)

Until you have a broad perspective of the eternal nature of this great drama, you won’t make much sense out of the inequities in life. Some are born with so little and others with so much, some in poverty, with handicaps, with pain, with suffering, premature death even of innocent children. There are the brutal, unforgiving forces of nature and the brutality of man to man. We’ve seen a lot of that recently.

Do not suppose that God willfully causes that, which for His own purposes, he permits. When you know the plan and purpose of it all, even these things will manifest a loving Father in Heaven.”

I find great comfort in these words. I do not understand many things about why things happen the way they do, but I do have faith in a loving Father in Heaven and a merciful Savior who want us to have eternal happiness. They love each and every individual on this earth for all time. They love us wholly and completely. More fully than anyone else. They do not want us to suffer, but we are governed by natural laws. bad things happen. But there is hope and there is peace and there is healing. There will be a happily ever after, but it isn’t written into this act of eternity. That doesn’t mean we can’t have joy and peace now, but it does mean that we will have trials and hardships now. Sometimes we just have to choose hope.

Here is a scripture to end on, that lifts my heart each time I read it:

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

We will continue to face trials and tribulations, but we are never alone and we can have hope that like Christ (and with his help) we too may overcome the world. We too can have peace now and in eternity. Though we may not understand it, I hope and pray that we can all have faith in this.

Keeping the Commandments

A lot of people don’t understand why Mormons live the way we do. Why do we keep the Sabbath day holy (and what does that even mean)? Why do we read the scriptures and pray everyday? Why don’t we have sex before we get married (live the law of chastity) and why do we pay tithes, and fast monthly? (please note, I’m being general here; people aren’t perfect–I’m not!–but these are things we try to do as a whole, and things that distinguish us as Latter-day Saints.)

The basic answer is that these are commandments from God given to His children so that we can be happy. God gave us commandments (the 10 Commandments are probably the most commonly thought of–read them here–though there are many others that I’m not going to list right now) for our benefit. He tells us that “he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.” (D&C 59:23) So when we follow the commandments and do the works of righteousness we not only have hope in a resurrection and life after death but we can have peace now! I know this is true in my own life. I have felt peace that I never could have in the turmoil and chaos of the world because I live the gospel and follow God’s commandments. One reason I keep the commandments is so that I can have peace and happiness now.

Another reason that I keep the commandments is because I love God. John 14:15 reads: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” And verse 21 follows “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.” Faith is not passive; true faith requires action and change in people. If we have true faith in God we love Him and we want to serve him.

These are a couple of simple answers, but I wanted to share them with you. I keep the Sabbath Day holy because I love God and because it brings me happiness and peace now. I pay 10% of my income as tithing because it is a small part that I can give back to God (since it’s all His to start with, it’s not like I am giving something that is mine to Him, but I am recognizing that it is His and I want to do His will), and because I have seen blessings from doing this that I wouldn’t expect. I study the scriptures each day because it is then that I feel closest to the Spirit, it is through the scriptures that God answers my questions, and because it brings me more peace and joy than anything else.

I realize that I can’t possibly do this subject justice, but there are some great resources at www.mormon.org on the commandments, what they are, why we have them, and why we keep them. Watch the videos too–they’re great.

As always, feel free to comment and ask me questions.

Amazing Grace

“. . . whereas I was blind, now I see.”

~John 9:25

I read John 9 this morning, which is the story of Jesus restoring the sight of the blind man on the Sabbath day. This man had been blind from birth, and so everyone assumed that either he or his parents had sinned. But in verse 3 Jesus tells the people “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” Then Jesus heals the man, who declares “whereas I was blind, now I see.” Jesus then tells him “For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind” (v39). This declaration follows several instances where Jesus declares that he is the light of the world (see John 8:12, and John 9:5). It is this light that illuminates the darkness and helps the blind to see. It is light that transcends the physical restraints of mortality and illuminates the spiritual things.

This reminded me of one of my favorite songs of all time–Amazing Grace. Here are the full lyrics, all of which are beautiful:

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!

Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promis’d good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below,
Will be forever mine.

John New­ton, Ol­ney Hymns (Lon­don: W. Ol­i­ver, 1779)

Indeed, though the earth will dissolve like snow, though the sun will forbear to shine, God, who knows me and sent me here to this mortal existence, will be forever mine. How true that is, how beautiful, and how consoling. It is through Christ that we have hope and peace and healing.

Here’s a nice rendition of the song as well. It’s from the movie Amazing Grace, which is also worth seeing:

Donating Blood

I donated blood today. It’s probably the 4th time I’ve ever donated. The first time I went with a friend and he passed out–twice! Since I wasn’t sure about the whole idea in the first place, it was slightly traumatic, but I got over it. I usually don’t think about it too much when I’m going to donate. I don’t particularly like needles. Today I thought about it a little more than usual. Probably because two of my roommates are in a flobotomy class right now and they’re recruiting friends to practice on. So far I haven’t consented. But I did decide to donate blood, even though today I was a little anxious about the needle, and thinking about my roommate and how the people that are taking my blood are a lot like her, and who knows how much experience they have and whatnot.

But it’s a good thing to do. I was thinking about how a little bit of pain is a really small thing to ask of me to help someone else out. Christ asks that we serve and love everyone. The pain he suffered so that he could serve us in a greater way than anything else in the history of the universe, was greater than anything else as well. A lot bigger than a little discomfort and fear of a needle. Donating blood is a small way to follow the Savior and provide service to our fellow men–God’s children.

…he hath anointed [Christ] to preach the gospel to the poor…

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of the sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” ~Luke 4:18-19

I came across this scripture as I was reading Luke the other day. I have felt very worn down and unsure of things lately. It’s been a long month since school started, with a lot to do and a few big decisions to make. Sometimes I feel like I just can’t do it… I feel completely inadequate to take care of my responsibilities, and like it’s just too hard to move forward with faith. We all know that feeling–we’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed and inadequate.

I think that’s why this scripture stood out to me. I’m surprised that I didn’t recognize it before. I read it and it gave me such a feeling of peace. Jesus brings the gospel to the poor, he heals my broken heart, and delivers me from the captivity of the world; he helps me to see and sets me at liberty when I am bruised. That is what he was anointed to do! Christ’s message is one of hope and healing, and it is his whole purpose. Through Christ we find the power to change our lives. We can rise above our circumstances and any other excuses that hold us back and we can let Christ mold us.

He does all of this through the Atonement–through his suffering and resurrection. I love Isaiah 53: 2-5:

“For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath born our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

We can have peace and our sorrow can be healed through Christ. He is the only way. I seem to need to be constantly reminded of this because I get caught up in my own sorrows and I feel overwhelmed. When I turn to the scriptures and remember my Savior there is so much peace there. The gospel is truly good news. It is a message of hope to all the weary, worn-down, broken hearted, captive, bruised, and sinning. The chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed. Not in any other way. I am so grateful for the hope I have in Christ, for the peace and comfort and consolation he brings no matter my circumstances. I can change, I can be better, and I can be healed because of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father and the great plan of happiness.

Faith as a … mustard seed

“And Jesus said unto them . . . If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.” ~Matt 17:20

I have been reading through the gospel of Matthew recently. I came across this scripture that I’m sure I have read many times before, but as is so common (and amazing and exciting) about the scriptures I always learn new things even when I have read a certain verse a thousand times previously. What stood out to me this particular time is the possibility of faith. If our faith is as small as a mustard we have power to move mountains. Mountains!!! And yet, Christ also tell us that the mustard seed “is less than all the seeds that be in the earth” (Mark 4:31). If our faith is even minuscule, even as small as the least of all seeds of the earth, we will have power beyond what we can imagine.

The Bible Dictionary, which is included in the LDS scriptures (though it is not considered scripture), defines faith as “a principle of action and power, and by it one can command the elements and/or heal the sick, or influence any number of circumstances when occasion warrants.” Imagine what happens when the mustard seed is nourished and grows into a mustard plant. The power of that faith is unfathomable to me. And it also makes so much sense… if faith as a mustard seed is strong enough to move mountains, imagine what power God has. I know that his power and glory is endless and eternal, but this puts it into a new perspective for me. Of course God has power to create the heavens and the universe and the infinities, and of course he still knows and loves you and me and every single one of His children throughout all time and space as individuals. His power is so far beyond the mustard seed and so far beyond the mustard plant and so far beyond moving a single mountain. It’s hard to grasp–impossible would be a better word–and yet it is the the most truly awesome (as in awe-inspiring) reality there ever was, is or will be.

My faith is not as a mustard seed. Christ told the father seeking healing for his child, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23) I often find myself echoing the words of the distressed and grateful father, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). At times it is an anguished cry. I want to believe, I want to have faith to do all things, but my faith is not whole or perfect and I need help. I believe in Christ. I believe that his gospel is true. I believe that he died for me and in doing so suffered every pain and heartbreak and sadness and sorrow and sin that I will ever face, that and so much more. I believe that it is only through Christ that we have true healing and that we experience true joy. He is the light and life of the world, the path to hope and healing and eternal life is through faith on his name. And still, my faith is so tiny, so young and undeveloped. This life, this mortal experience, is a continual journey of progression. We must move forward each day increasing our faith and relying on the Lord to help strengthen our unbelief–our doubts, our worries, our questions. These are things we all deal with, even when we have strong testimonies of the Savior and his gospel. These are things we much always be strengthening and nourishing so that someday we may have faith as a mustard seed and so that someday long after that we may have unimaginable faith and power, and that we may more fully glorify our God.