Christ is the Reason

Lesson 5 Teaching by the Spirit

“Tell the brethren to be humble and faithful and be sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord, that it will lead them aright. Be careful and not turn away the still, small voice; it will teach them what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it” (-Joseph Smith, speaking to Brigham Young in a dream in February 1847, quoted by Marion G. Romney, General Conference, April 1944).

1. The Light of Christ

a. Moroni 7:16 "the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil"

b. John 1:9 "the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world"

c. D&C 84:46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world”

d. D&C 88:6-13 Christ is literally the light of the world

e. D&C 84:45, 93:36- Word of the Lord, Truth, Light, Intelligence synonymous with Christ

f. D&C 88:67,68 “your bodies shall be filled with light…Therefore, sanctify yourselves…”

2. The Holy Ghost

a. “There is no other foundation upon which the Lord could build his Church and kingdom. The things of God are known only by the power of his Spirit. God stands revealed or he remains forever unknown. No man can know that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost” (Bruce R. McConkie "Upon This Rock", Ensign (May 1981) 77)

b. 3 Nephi 27:20 The Holy Ghosts sanctifies you

c. 2 Nephi 32:5 Holy Ghost “will show unto you all things what ye should do”

d. D&C 42:14 you (and your investigator) can receive the influence of the spirit through “the prayer of faith”

e. D&C 63:64 Sacred things spoken of by constraint of the spirit

f. D&C 50: 21-22 The Spirit edifies: “An intelligent being, in the image of God, possesses every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of will, wisdom, love, power, and gift, which is possessed by God himself. But these are possessed by man, in his rudimental state, in a subordinate sense of the word. Or, in other words, these attributes are in embryo; and are to be gradually developed. They resemble a bud—a germ, which gradually develops into bloom, and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit, after its own kind. The gift of the Holy Spirit adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates, and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form, and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.” – Parly P. Pratt (Quoted in “The Holy Ghost” by Robert Worrell, BYU-Idaho Devotional March 2003)

3. Bad Spirits

a. "Nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit when they think they have the Spirit of God" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 205).

b. “They can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other spirits; it will whisper peace and joy to their souls; it will take malice, hatred, strife and all evil from their hearts, and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness, and build up the kingdom of God.” (Joseph Smith in a dream to Brigham Young, quoted by Marion G. Romney, General Conference, April 1944).

c. Moroni 7: 13-16 “that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually… take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.”

d. “Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.” Joseph exerted “all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me.”

e. Moses 1:13-26

- God’s “spirit hath not altogether withdrawn from me, or else where is thy glory, for it is darkness unto me?”…

- “Get thee hence, Satan”

f. Elder Hugh B. Brown, upon praying about accepting a business proposition that would have changed his life. He awoke about three in the morning. “I was worried and bothered, I got dressed and went up into the mountains…I talked to Him as one man speaks to another. I didn’t seem to get an answer.” He returned home, skipped dinner and told his wife “I fear I will have a wakeful night…I went into that bedroom [alone], closed the door, and I was conscious of a blackness such as I had never known. There was something in that room that made me feel, very sincerely, that I’d like to be rubbed out. I’d like to cease to be. I didn’t intend to think of suicide, but I did think seriously, that if there any way that I could be washed out, that would be the best thing that could happen to me. I spent the night in that attitude, in that aura in that awful blackness. Early in the morning Sis. Brown came in, heard me walking the floor. When she closed the door she said ‘My goodness my dear, what’s in this room?’” Elder Brown responded “The devil is in this room and he is trying to destroy me.” They prayed together, but nothing happened. He went to his empty office . “… I pleaded to God for deliverance for that awful blackness was still on my soul. And it seemed to me the sun came up. I obtained peace of soul, serenity of Spirit. I phoned Sister Brown that everything was alright, I don’t know what happened but everything is alright.” ( “Father are you there?” BYU Devotional 1967). That night, he received a call from President McKay informing him that he was being called to the apostleship.

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Our Salvation is linked to the word and concept of work. “This is my work and my glory” Moses 1:39, we also speak of “working out our salvation,” of the “law of the harvest,” and of the “sweat of the brow” (see Moses 5:1; see also Inspired Version, Gen. 4:1)

Missionary Work

“Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that you serve him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.” D&C 4:2

1. “I was a stranger to excellence.” -Neal A. Maxwell Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel Conference Report April 1998
2. President Hinckley has declared, namely that “we have the finest generation of young people ever in the history of this Church” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 714; see also Conference Report, Apr. 1992, 96; or Ensign, May 1992, 69)
3. Gen. 3:19 “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.”
4. Some 2,700 years ago, a Greek poet observed that “in front of excellence the immortal gods have put sweat, and long and steep is the way to it.” (Hesiod, Works and Days, 1. 287, as cited in John Bartlett, Familiar Quotations, 14th ed., Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1968, p. 67.)
5. Ezk. 16:49 Iniquity defined as an “abundance of idleness.”
6. “Thou, O God, [doth give us] all good things at the price of labor.” (David Hume, Human News; as cited in The Macmillan Book of Proverbs, Maxims, and Famous Phrases, sel. Burton Stevenson, New York: The Macmillan Co., 1948], p. 1331.)
7. “One of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy. There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families, for [he will have] all [his] time and talents and interest … centered on the work of the ministry. Work, work, work—there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988, p. 200.)
8. Alma 29:15 “…they have labored exceedingly, and have brought forth much fruit; and how great shall be their reward!”
9. Moses 4:23 ““Cursed shall be the ground for thy sake” (italics added)
10. “We moved under our own power, without subsidy, without loan, wished on our way only by the maledictions of those who drove us out from our own homes and then appropriated, without paying for it, the property they forced us to leave behind. … So we struggled on against want and misery; toil and hardship were with us daily. … But the Church survived; the people prospered. Character endured intact. We took care of our own poor. In times of scarcity neighbors helped one another. Time and again, we passed through the fiery furnace; we came out of it each time, refined, with the dross burned away, re-inspirited, sanctified.” (J. Reuben Clark, Church Welfare Plan, pamphlet, 1939, pp. 8–9; italics added.)
11. Of President Willford Woodruff, it was said he loved work. “To him it was a blessing, a privilege. … His toil in the canyons, his sweat in the harvest field, … were all important parts in divine economy. … To sweat, was a divine command as much so as to pray.” (Matthias F. Cowley, Wilford Woodruff: History of His Life and Labors, Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1909, pp. 644–45.)
12. “If you are poor, work. … If you are happy, work. Idleness gives room for doubts and fears. If disappointments come, keep right on working. If sorrow overwhelms you, … work. … When faith falters and reason fails, just work. When dreams are shattered and hope seems dead, work. Work as if your life were in peril. It really is. No matter what ails you, work. Work faithfully. … Work is the greatest remedy available for both mental and physical afflictions.” (The Forbes Scrapbook of Thoughts on the Business of Life, New York: Forbes Inc., 1968, p. 427.)
13. D&C 84:79 Make sure the “the laborer is worthy of his hire.”
14. D&C 60:13 Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent”
15. “Work with faith is a cardinal point of our theological doctrine and our future state—our heaven, is envisioned in terms of eternal progression through constant labor.” (Elder Stephen L Richards in the Conference Report, Oct. 1939, pp. 65, 68.)
16. D&C 75:3, 5 ““Behold, I say unto you that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle but labor with your might. … And thus, if ye are faithful ye shall be laden with many sheaves, and crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life.”
17. When the Church launched its welfare program, President Heber J. Grant stated: “Our primary purpose was to set up, in so far as it might be possible, a system under which the curse of idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished, and independence, industry, thrift and self-respect be once more established amongst our people. The aim of the Church is to help the people to help themselves. Work is to be re-enthroned as the ruling principle of the lives of our Church membership.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1936, p. 3.)

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Faith v. Works [Revised]

“Thou art angry, O Lord, with this people, because they will not understand thy mercies which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son.”- Alma 33:161 “because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished” -Nephi 17:41

Man is Fallen

“No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon all mankind.” Ezra Taft Benson

1. Luke 5:8 Peter “I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
2. Romans 3:10 “There is none righteous”
3. Romans 3: 23 “all have sinned”
4. 1 Corinthians 2:14 : Natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.
5. 2 Nephi 2:11 “Opposition in all things”
6. 2 Nephi 9:27 Awful is the state of those that waste their probation.
7. Mosiah 3:19 “Natural Man is an enemy to God”
8. Mosiah 16:3 “all mankind carnal”
9. D&C 29:41 Adam became spiritually dead

“Do not suppose that we shall ever in the flesh be free from temptations to sin. Some suppose that they can in the flesh be sanctified body and spirit and become so pure that they will never again feel the effects of the power of the adversary of truth. Were it possible for a person to attain to this degree of perfection in the flesh, he could not die neither remain in a world where sin predominates…I think we should more or less feel the effects of sin so long as we live, and finally have to pass the ordeals of death.” (Brigham Young, JoD 10:173)

Fallen Man Cannot Save Him or Herself

1. Matt 9:12 They that are sick need a physician.
2. Luke 17:10 (see also Mosiah 2:21) We’re unprofitable servants
3. Alma 22:14 man “could not merit anything of himself”
4. Moroni 6:4 “relying alone upon the merits of Christ”
5. D&C 3:20 “rely upon the merits of Christ”

Prophetic Examples

1. Psalms 51:10 David- “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me”
2. 1 Timothy 1:15 Paul “Chief” among sinners
3. 2 Nephi 4:17-19 Nephi a “wretched man”
4. Ether 3:2 Brother of Jared “unworthy” before the Lord.

Only Christ Can Save Us.

1. 2 Nephi 10:24 “only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved”
2. Ether 12:27 “my grace is sufficient”
3. Moroni 10:32-33 “by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ”
4. Alma 33:16 The Lord is angry because we don’t understand His mercies.
5. 1 Nephi 17:41 (Numb. 21:4-9,Alma 33:20) The atonement is too easy for some.
6. 1 King 5 The story of Naaman the leper
7. 1 Samuel 25 Story of Nabal, David, and Abigail
8. 1 John 5:4-5 Atonement overcomes the death of the Fall.
9. D&C 38:7-9 Atonement overcomes the death of the Fall.
10. Moses 6:53 Lord forgives Adam & Eve for transgression
11. Moroni 8:8 Adam’s transgression is taken away through the atonement
12. 3 Nephi 27: 16, 19-21 “who repenteth” will be held “guiltless”
13. Hebrews 12:1-2 “Jesus is author and finisher of our faith”
14. Galatians 5:4 Not justified by own works (only through Christ) See also Galations 2:16 and 2 Nephi 2:5-8
15. Galatians 3:10-13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law.”
16. I John 4:19 He loved us first
17. D&C 20:29-30 “justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true.”
18. Matt. 11:28-30 “For my Yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
19. 2 Nephi 2:6-7 “Redemption comes through the Holy Messiah”
20. 2 Nephi 9:19 Jesus delivers saints from hell.
21. Jacob 6:5, 10 His arm is extended to us.
22. Alma 34:15-16 Mercy satisfies justice.
23. 2 Nephi 9:7 It is an infinite atonement (Alma 34:12, 2 Nephi 25:16, Alma 34:10, 14, D&C 10:19-10)
24. Alma 24:10 Guilt taken away through “merits of his Son.”
25. D&C 29:46, 137:10 Atonement covers children who die before the age of accountability
26. D&C 29: 50 Atonement covers mentally challenged.
27. Alma 7:11-12 Christ knows all sin.
28. Hebrews 2:17 “he is able to succor them that are tempted.”(see Heb 4:15, D&C 20:22)
29. D&C 88:6, Eph 4:8-10 Christ comprehends all things.

Misunderstanding Grace

1. ‘Grace’. The Hebrew or Greek words usually translated as favor, pleasure, thanks, graciousness, or goodwill. The term is also used for a gift, benefit, or gesture offered in token of these attitudes. In contemporary society, a tip or gratuity (from the same Latin root as grace) represents the same thing. Generally, however, it has come to mean unconditional love or blessing from God. Scripturally, grace can also mean:
1. comeliness or beauty (James 1:11)
2. Favor or special status (Gen. 33:8)
3. Spiritual merit (1 Sam. 2:18)
4. Physical beauty (Esth. 2:15-17)
5. Grace can be conditional 1 Peter 5:5 God gives grace to the humble (as opposed to the prideful)
6. Grow in grace, which is conditional (2 Peter 3:18, Luke 2:52)
7. Paul warns of falling from grace through own foolishness ( Gal. 1:6, 5:4)
8. Grace can be received “in vain” (2 Cor. 6:1)
9. Different levels of grace, you can come to a “fullness of grace” (D&C 93:13, 19-20)
2. Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved…with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” This is one of the most misinterpreted verses in all of scripture. (CF Romans 2:13, see also, for example, Luke 8:28, 32, 33)
3. Romans 6:15-16 “What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law (of Moses), but under grace? God forbid.”
4. D&C 50:7-8 “there are hypocrites among you…But the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off.”
5. 1 Kings 5:12 Naaman “turned and went away in a rage” because it was too easy.
6. James 2:14-17, 22 “faith without works is dead” We Believe in the Doctrine of Grace
   

1. Matthew 11:28-30 “My yoke is easy and my burden is light”
2. Luke 18:9 The Pharisee are those who “trusted in themselves that they were righteous.”
3. 2 Nephi 2:7 “He offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.”
4. 2 Nephi 10:24 “it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved”
5. Alma 22:14 “man…could not merit anything of himself”
6. Alma 24:10 guilt taken away through the merits of his Son.”
7. Alma 37:46 “Do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way”
8. Ether 12:27 “my grace is sufficient for all men”
9. Moroni 6:4 “relying alone upon the merits of Christ” (see also D&C 3:20)
10. Moroni 10:32-33 “his grace sufficient for you”
11. D&C 20:30 “we know that justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true.”
    

Our Part

1. Article of Faith 4
2. D&C 131:1-3 Temple ordinances
3. D&C 64:34 “For I the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind”
4. D&C 20:77 Must be “willing to” obey all the commandments
5. D&C 46:9 Blessings of salvation given to “him that seeketh so to do”

Comfort of Knowing

1. D&C 123:17 “stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.” (see also D&C 106:8, Eph. 3:12)
2. 3 Nephi 27:16 “Whose repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold Guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.” (2 Ne. 31:15)
3. Enos 5-6 “Enos knew that God could not lie, wherefore, my guilt was swept away.”
4. Alma 34:16 “Thus mercy can satisfy the demands of Justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety.”
5. If you can feel the Holy Ghost in your life, than you can know that your life is on course. Paul refers to the Holy Ghost as “the earnest of our inheritance” (Eph. 1:14) Thus the “earnest [money] of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Cor. 1:22, 5:5) assures us of the validity and efficacy of our deal, our covenant, with God. (See Believing Christ by Stephen Robinson, pg 94)

“We all occupy diversified stations in the world, and the kingdom of God. Those who do right, and seek the glory of the Father in heaven, whether their knowledge be little or much, or whether they can do little or much, if they do the very best they know how, they are perfect… “Be ye as perfect as ye can,” for that is all we can do, though it is written, “Be ye perfect as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.” To be as perfect as we possibly can, according to our knowledge, is to be just as perfect as our Father in heaven is. He cannot be anymore perfect than He knows how, any more than we. When we are doing as well as we know how in the sphere and station which we occupy here, we are justified.”- Brigham Young Journal of Discourses, 2:129-30

“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

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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

“Obedience is the first law of heaven, the cornerstone upon which all righteousness and progression rest.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 539)
In pairs, assign one person to be the missionary and another to be the mission president. The setting is in the president’s office for a monthly interview. Have the “president” teach the “missionary” the need for mission rules and the blessings that come from obeying them. After a few minutes, switch roles and role play the scene again.

Role Play: Exercising Faith
“If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.” (Moroni 7:33)

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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)

***

“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)

***

“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)

***

“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.”

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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, Marion, what are you doing here?" He didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. He said, "Ida, how are you?" With that flash of humor so characteristic of both of them, she replied, "Compared to what, Marion? Compared to what?"

“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. Burton Howard, Marion G. Romney: His Life and Faith [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988], pp. 137­42

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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 Calvary, and it remains at the heart of every Christian covenant. "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded." Well, we shall see.” – Jeffrey R. Holland The Will of the Father in All Things

1. Moses 5:6-7 “I know not save the Lord commanded me”
2. John 7:17 “If any man will do [God’s] will, he shall know of the doctrine”
3. John 14:21 “He that keepeth [my commandments], he it is that loveth me”
4. 1 John 2:3-5 we know him if we keep his commandments (cf John 17:3)
5. Hebrews 5:8-9 “yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.”
6. D&C 101:1-5 We must be willing to pass through the same trials as Abraham (see Heb. 11:17-19)

Blessings for Obedience

1. Revelation 22:12-13 “my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
2. “D&C 56:3 “he that will not obey shall be cut off”
3. D&C 64:34 “willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land”
4. D&C 93:1 “obeyeth my voice…shall see my face”
5. D&C 93:27-28 “keepeth commandments is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”