Sunday, March 13, 2005
Mission Prep Lesson #3: Faith and Obedience (incomplete)
“Faith does not exist by itself. Faith requires an object. It must be faith in something or someone… If we think we have faith, we should ask, faith in whom or faith in what? For some, faith is nothing more than faith in themselves. That is only self-confidence or self-centeredness. Others have faith in faith, which is something like relying on the power of positive thinking or betting on the proposition that we can get what we want by manipulating the powers within us… Founded on our knowledge of those things, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is a conviction and trust that God knows us and loves us and will hear our prayers and answer them with what is best for us.” –Dallin H. Oaks Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
Faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to his commandments and counsel are hallmarks f faithful missionaries in all gospel dispensations. The Lord Jesus Christ expects missionaries to obey certain rules that are unique to missionaries as a group – and he blesses all worthy missionaries who exercise faith in him and obey his commandments.
Role Play: The Importance of Obedience
Role Play: Exercising Faith
“If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.” (
- You and your companion are teaching an investigator who is doubtful that he/she can know for him/herself that the Book of Mormon is true. While he/she is willing to read it, they are unsure about the ability to gain a testimony of it. Using your gospel knowledge of the scriptures and your testimony, teach this investigator how he can gain a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.
- Your missionary companion has been sluggish and somewhat reluctant to work. He/She seems to lack interest in the daily activities of finding, teaching, and talking to people about the gospel. After a week of this behavior, you come to realize that your companion lacks faith and therefore has lost the desire to do the Lord’s work. Using your gospel knowledge of the scriptures and your testimony, strengthen your companions’ desire to have faith to do the work.
- You and your companion are at a member’s home and have just finished dinner. You gather the family in the living room to share the gospel message of inviting someone they know to hear the discussions in their home. After a sincere and prayerful message, the family is still hesitant to invite their friends to hear the gospel. Using your gospel knowledge of the scriptures and your testimony as a missionary, teach the family about the importance of member missionary work.
- You have taught your investigator the first few discussions. While he/she has shown faith in reading the Book of Mormon and has a desire to be baptized, he/she has a problem with smoking and drinking an occasional beer. Using your gospel knowledge of the scriptures and your testimony as a member of the church, teach this investigator about the importance of having faith in obeying the Lord’s commandments (specifically the Word of Wisdom) and faith that he/she can overcome his/her addiction to smoking and drinking beer.
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Lectures on Faith Prepared by Joseph Smith (Excerpts)
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“Faith [is] the first principle in revealed religion, and the foundation of all righteousness... faith is the moving cause of all action in temporal concerns, so it is in spiritual…
…Faith is not only the principle of action, but of power also, in all intelligent beings, whether in heaven or on earth…
…The principle of power, which existed in the bosom of God, by which the worlds were framed, was faith… …[Faith] is the principle by which Jehovah works, and through which he exercises power over all temporal, as well as eternal things. Take this principle or attribute (for it is an attribute) from the Deity, and he would cease to exist…
…Faith then, is the first great governing principle which has power, dominion, and authority over all things; by it they exist, by it they are upheld, by it they are changed, or by it they remain, agreeable to the will of God. Without it, there is no power, and without power there could be no creation, nor existence!” (LF 1:1, 12, 13,15, 16, 24)
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“For faith could not center in a being of whose existence we had no idea, because the idea of his existence in the first instance is essential to the exercise of faith in him… Let us here observe, that three things are necessary, in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God, unto life and salvation: First, the idea that he actually exists. Second, a correct idea of his character, perfections and attributes. Third, an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing, is according to his will. For without an acquaintance with these three important facts, the faith of every rational being must be imperfect and unproductive…
…Unless he was merciful and gracious, slow to anger, long-suffering, and full of goodness, such is the weakness of human nature, and so great the frailties and imperfections of men, that unless they believed that these excellencies existed in the divine character, the faith necessary to salvation could not exist; for doubt would take the place of faith, and those who know their weakness and liability to sin, would be in constant doubt of salvation, if it were not for the idea which they have of the excellency of the character of God, that he is slow to anger, and long-suffering, and of a forgiving disposition, and does forgive iniquity, transgression and sin. An idea of these facts does away doubt, and makes faith exceedingly strong. But it is equally as necessary that men should have the idea that he is a God who changes not, in order to have faith in him, as it is to have the idea that he is gracious and long-suffering…
…The idea that he is a God of truth and cannot lie, is equally as necessary to the exercise of faith in him, as the idea of his unchangeableness…
… it is also necessary that men should have an idea that he is no respecter of persons…
… And lastly, but not less important to the exercise of faith in God, is the idea that he is love…” (LF 3:1, 2-5, 20-21, 22, 23, 24)
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“Having shown… that without correct ideas of his character, the minds of men could not have sufficient power with God to the exercise of faith necessary to the enjoyment of eternal life;… we shall now proceed to show the connection there is between correct ideas of the attributes of God, and the exercise of faith in him unto eternal life.
“Without the idea of the existence of the attributes which belong to God, the minds of men could not have power to exercise faith in him so as to lay hold upon eternal life… Having said so much, we shall proceed to examine the attributes of God, as set forth in his revelations to the human family, and to show how necessary correct ideas of his attributes are, to enable men to exercise faith in him. For without these ideas being planted in the minds of men, it would be out of the power of any person or persons to exercise faith in God so as to obtain eternal life.
“We have in the revelations which he has given to the human family, the following account of his attributes:
“First – Knowledge…Secondly – Faith or power…Thirdly –Justice…Fourthly –Judgment…Fifthly –Mercy…And Sixthly -Truth…
“By a little reflection it will be seen that the idea of the existence of these attributes in the Deity is necessary to enable any rational being to exercise faith in him. For without the idea of the existence of these attributes in the Deity, men could not exercise faith in him for life and salvation…
“It is…necessary in order to the exercise of faith in God, unto life and salvation, that men should have the idea of the existence of the attribute justice in him. For without the idea of the existence of the attribute justice in the Deity, men could not have confidence sufficiently to place themselves under his guidance and direction; for they would be filled with fear and doubt, lest the Judge of all the earth would not do right; and thus fear, or doubt, existing in the mind, would preclude the possibility of the exercise of faith in him for life and salvation…
“And again it is equally important that men should have the idea of the existence of the attribute mercy in the Deity, in order to exercise faith in him for life and salvation. For without the idea of the existence of this attribute in the Deity, the spirits of the saints would faint in the midst of the tribulations, afflictions, and persecutions which they have to endure for righteousness’ sake;…
“And lastly, but not less important to the exercise of faith in God, is the idea of the existence of the attribute truth in him. For without the idea of the existence of this attribute, the mind of man could have nothing upon which it could rest with certainty. All would be confusion and doubt… In view, then, of the existence of these attributes, the faith of the saints can become exceedingly strong, abounding in righteousness unto the praise and glory of God, and can exert its mighty influence in searching after wisdom and understanding, until it has obtained a knowledge of all things that pertain to life and salvation. (LF 4:1, 2, 3, 4-5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18)
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“An actual knowledge to any person that the course of life which he pursues is according to the will of God, is essentially necessary to enable him to have that confidence in God, without which no person can obtain eternal life…
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.” (LF 6:2, 7)
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“When a man works by faith he works by mental exertion instead of physical force…
“…Salvation is the effect of faith…
“… it was by obtaining a knowledge of God that men got the [knowledge of]† all things which pertain to life and godliness, and this knowledge was the effect of faith. So that all things which pertain to life and godliness are the effects of faith.
“… when faith comes, it brings its train of attendants with it - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, gifts, wisdom, knowledge, miracles, healings, tongues, interpretation of tongues, etc. All these appear when faith appears on the earth, and disappear when it disappears from the earth. For these are the effects of faith and always have, and always will attend it.”
President Romney’s Example of Faith and Obedience
“In 1967 Sister Romney suffered a serious stroke. The doctors told then--Elder Romney that the damage from the hemorrhage was severe. They offered to keep her alive by artificial means but did not recommend it. The family braced themselves for the worst. Brother Romney confided to those closest to him that in spite of his anguished, personal yearning for Ida's restored health and continued companionship, above all he wanted "the Lord's will to be done and to take what he needed to take without whimpering."
“As the days wore on, Sister Romney became less responsive. She had, of course, been administered to, but Elder Romney was "reluctant to counsel the Lord about the matter." Because of his earlier unsuccessful experience of praying that he and Ida might have children, he knew that he could never ask in prayer for something which was not in harmony with the will of the Lord.
“He fasted that he might know how to show the Lord that he had faith and that he would accept God's will in their lives. He wanted to make sure that he had done all he could do. She continued to fail.
“One evening in a particularly depressed state, with Ida unable to speak or recognize him, Brother Romney went home and turned as he always had to the scriptures in an effort to commune with the Lord. He picked up the Book of Mormon and continued where he had left off the night before.
“He had been reading in the book of Helaman about the prophet Nephi, who had been falsely condemned and unfairly charged with sedition. Following a miraculous deliverance from his accusers, Nephi returned home pondering the things which he had experienced. As he did so he heard a voice.
“Although Marion Romney had read that story many times before, it now struck him this night as a personal revelation. The words of the scripture so touched his heart that for the first time in weeks he felt he had tangible peace. It seemed as if the Lord was speaking directly to him. The scripture read:
“Blessed art thou, . . . for those things which thou hast done. . . . And thou . . . hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.
“And now, because thou hast done this . . . I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will. [Helaman 10:45]
“There was the answer. He had sought only to know and obey the will of the Lord, and the Lord had spoken. He fell to his knees and poured out his heart, and as he concluded his prayer with the phrase, "Thy will be done," he either felt or actually heard a voice which said, "It is not contrary to my will that Ida be healed."
“Brother Romney rose to his feet. It was past two o'clock in the morning, but he knew what he must do. Quickly he put on his tie and coat, then went out into the night to visit Ida in the hospital.
“He arrived shortly before three o'clock. His wife's condition was unchanged. She did not stir as he placed his hands upon her pale forehead. With undeviating faith, he invoked the power of the priesthood in her behalf. He pronounced a simple blessing and then uttered the incredible promise that she would recover her health and mental powers and yet perform a great mission upon the earth.
“Even though he did not doubt, Elder Romney was astonished to see Ida's eyes open as he concluded the blessing. Somewhat stunned by all that had happened, he sat down on the edge of the bed only to hear his wife's frail voice for the first time in months. She said, "For goodness' sake,
“Ida Romney began her recovery from that very moment, soon left her hospital bed, and lived to see her husband sustained as a member of the First Presidency of the Church, "a great mission upon the earth" indeed.
F.
Obedience in the Scriptures
D&C 82:10 “I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say…”
The Story of Nephi and Laban
"1 was constrained by the Spirit that I should kill Laban; but . . . I shrunk and would that I might not slay him" (1 Nephi 4:10). A bitter test? A desire to shrink? Sound familiar? We don't know why those plates could not have been obtained some other way--perhaps accidentally left at the plate polishers one night or maybe falling out the back of Laban's chariot on a Sabbath afternoon.
“For that matter, why didn't Nephi just leave this story out of the book altogether? Why didn't he say something like, "And after much effort and anguish of spirit, I did obtain the plates of Laban and did depart into the wilderness unto the tent of my father?" At the very least he might have buried the account somewhere in the Isaiah chapters, thus guaranteeing that it would have gone undiscovered up to this very day.
“But there it is, squarely in the beginning of the book--page 8--where even the most casual reader will see it and must deal with it. It is not intended that either Nephi or we be spared the struggle of this account.
“I believe that story was placed in the very opening verses of a 531-page book and then told in painfully specific detail in order to focus every reader of that record on the absolutely fundamental gospel issue of obedience and submission to the communicated will of the Lord. If Nephi cannot yield to this terribly painful command, if he cannot bring himself to obey, then it is entirely probable that he can never succeed or survive in the tasks that lie just ahead.
"1 will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded" (1 Nephi 3:7). I confess that I wince a little when I hear that promise quoted so casually among us. Jesus knew what that kind of commitment would entail, and so now does Nephi. And so will a host of others before it is over. That vow took Christ to the cross on
- Moses 5:6-7 “I know not save the Lord commanded me”
- John 7:17 “If any man will do [God’s] will, he shall know of the doctrine”
- John 14:21 “He that keepeth [my commandments], he it is that loveth me”
- 1 John 2:3-5 we know him if we keep his commandments (cf John 17:3)
- Hebrews 5:8-9 “yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.”
- D&C 101:1-5 We must be willing to pass through the same trials as Abraham (see Heb. 11:17-19)
- Revelation 22:12-13 “my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
- “D&C 56:3 “he that will not obey shall be cut off”
- D&C 64:34 “willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land”
- D&C 93:1 “obeyeth my voice…shall see my face”
- D&C 93:27-28 “keepeth commandments is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”
