A Step in the Dark: Faith and Decision-Making

As a young adult, I have lots of decisions to make... Lots of important decisions, such as where to go to school, what to study, what kind of guys I should date (not that I date much), whether or not I should serve a church mission, etc. etc. Sometimes, I've been intimidated by the thought that the choices I'm making now will have a great impact on the rest of my life, and the lives of my future family. I would wonder, "How am I supposed to make all these decisions when I'm so inexperienced?" I remember one day sitting in a large auditorium with lots of other young adults at a Church Education devotional that was being broadcast all over the world. I don't remember who was speaking, but I remember them talking about faith. I will note that this was the semester I was taking a philosophy class, and we had been learning about all the different theories of how people come, or never come to know things. The speaker at this devotional made an analogy that has stayed with me -- or maybe it came to mind while he was speaking. It seemed like I always knew it, but at that time, it had particular meaning to me. Faith is not knowing. It is not knowing the future. It is not knowing a certain outcome of our decisions. It is taking a step into the dark. It is taking a step into the dark, and then finding that the light follows you. If I stayed in the little pool of light that surrounds me without moving, for fear of taking a wrong turn, I would get nowhere. If I move forward, seeking guidance from my Heavenly Father, He will give me light with each step, showing me if it's the best way to go or not.

 James 2:17
17 Even so ^afaith, if it hath not ^bworks, is dead, being alone.

In English: Faith -> action ->
knowledge -> Rejoice! ->
more faith, etc. -> Salvation
through the Atonement of
Christ.

Alma 32:21 (The entire chapter is a beautiful analogy about how faith leads to knowledge and eternal life.)

 21 And now as I said concerning faith—^afaith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye ^bhope for things which are ^cnot seen, which are true.

 41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with ^apatience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree ^bspringing up unto everlasting life.

(There's a little Spanish thrown in here: Faith and action, hope.
 This was done while I was in training for my mission.)

Ether 12:6

6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that ^afaith is things which are ^bhoped for and^cnot seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no ^dwitness until after the ^etrial of your faith.


In my experience the past few years, I've found that to be true. I was trying to decide where to go to school after graduating high school. I applied to several. Then I thought Snow College looked like a good choice. I went to audition for a music scholarship, praying that if it was the right place to go, I would feel good about it. I did feel good about it. It wasn't a lightning bolt from the sky or an angel telling me to go there. So, I attended for two years, and up to that point in my life, those were the best two years in my life. I majored in music, which I later changed. I at least had direction, and the things I learned then have enhanced my learning in my new major. I made many close friends and was blessed with good leaders and teachers. It was a challenge, especially the semester I took 18 credits and learned an emotionally-draining violin concerto, but I was happy. I was close to the Manti, UT Temple, where I could go to serve and be spiritually strengthened and uplifted.

Then came the time to decide where to go to finish my Bachelor's Degree. After a lot of agonizing and praying over it, I realized I had to make a decision on my own before I received an answer. Doctrine and Covenants 9:8

 8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must ^astudy it out in your ^bmind; then you must ^cask me if it be right...

Heavenly Father wants me to grow and learn from making decisions. I weighed my options and decided on Brigham Young University Idaho (BYU-I). I prayed about it, and didn't receive a different direction, so that's where I transferred to. I ended up changing my major to Humanities, and was glad to have chosen a school where a religious perspective can be incorporated freely into all kinds of subjects, tying it all together into an eternal perspective.

By then, I had reached the age where young women of the LDS faith could serve missions. (That age has been lowered since.) I always had it in the back of my mind that I would serve. When it came to it, I was pretty nervous about the idea, though I wanted to share the blessings I have from the Gospel. I asked and asked if it was the thing I should be doing at that point in my life. I had gotten pretty comfortable with school, and felt kind of like I had hit a plateau in my progression. I wanted to do something more. One day, I read a scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-28

 26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is ^acompelled in all things, the same is a ^bslothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

 27 Verily I say, men should be ^aanxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

 28 For the power is in them, wherein they are ^aagents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their ^breward.

So, I knew then that I didn't have to wait to be forced or told with lightning-bolt certainty before I did a good thing in serving a mission and helping to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a challenge for me, being a shy person, but I felt my Savior strengthening me with love and courage that I never would have gained in such a short time had I not served a mission. I do not regret that decision. Those 18 months were a pivotal point of my life that is forever changed for the better, and I hope that other lives have changed for the better because of it. I know Heavenly Father inspired me to serve, but he let me make the choice to serve.

Now, I've been back home for seven months, trying to keep learning and get back into school. I still have a need to grow. I will for the rest of my life. I will always have decisions to make, but I know that I can move forward with confidence. I want to marry in the Temple and raise a family in the Gospel. I know it will be a great challenge -- even greater than my mission -- but I know that the Lord will be by our sides. I know He loves me. I hope that you, dear reader, feel His love for you, too.

Belief vs. Being Compelled to Know (See Alma 32)

Well, I'm Back

Dear Readers,

I hope you've all been well this last year-and-a-half with you and your families. This time has gone by quickly for me. I was serving a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was a beautiful, challenging, eye-opening, edifying growing experience for me.

Now, you may have seen or met some missionaries from this church before. You may have ignored them. You may have listened a little. You may have taken up some of their invitations. So what are the missionaries there for, anyway? Simply stated, our purpose is to bring souls to Christ. A missionary is a representative of Christ. Now, that doesn't mean we're perfect, by any means. It does mean that we follow Him, and try to do and become as He does and is. It means that we are called by Him on His errand. It means that we have felt the power of His grace in our own lives, and want to help others have this too. We try to find people whose hearts have been prepared to receive the message, and we plant a lot of seeds along the way as well. Many times, it has amazed me how the Lord has led us to people, and them to us. His timing is perfect.

Some of you may be asking, "Why try to convert people if they already know Jesus?" I know that many of you are really, honestly seeking to follow Christ, and you love Him, and you've felt His love and forgiveness. We're not here to take any of that away. We're here to add truth and light to the truth you already treasure. As you learn more about the message we share, pay attention to those feelings of peace and love from the Savior that you may have felt before. Those feelings come from the Holy Spirit and will help you recognize truth.

John 14: 26-27

 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Then, act on what you learn so you can continue to feel that peace, continue to grow as a person, and come even closer to the Savior.

Another question you may be asking is "Why would you have any more truth to add to what we already have?"

To answer, let's rewind a few centuries. Many of you know about the prophets, like Noah, Abraham, Moses, etc. Why were they important? They received instruction from God, and guided the people accordingly. They taught the Gospel and prophesied of Christ's coming. One important thing to note was that they didn't choose themselves to be prophets. They were called by God to be His servants, and given His authority, or the priesthood. Now, when the people listened to them and obeyed, they were blessed. Many times, however, they chose not to listen, and they fell in darkness and unhappiness. When they were prepared to listen again, God, in His love and mercy, would call another prophet, like Moses, to guide them.

After one particular period of darkness, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ. He taught and served the people. He established His church and called the Twelve Apostles, including Peter, James, and John. Most importantly, He willingly suffered and died for our sins, so we can be repent and be forgiven, be cleansed, and someday live with our Heavenly Father again. After He was resurrected, He still guided the Apostles through revelation. They worked miracles, baptized and gave the Gift of the Holy Ghost by His power and authority. (See Acts 19:1-6 for an example.

The church grew, but there was a lot of opposition, and sadly, many of the members of the church were mislead and began to fall into things that weren't right. Eventually, most of the apostles were killed, and there was no one for them to pass the the priesthood, or authority to. People made unauthorized changes to the doctrine, or forgot parts of Christ's teachings. There was no prophet to receive revelation. (See Amos 8:11-12.) However, there have been over the years people who have recognized that there was something missing, and they honestly sought the truth. Some made reforms, which opened the way for more religious freedom, which helped prepare for the restoration of the true church of Jesus Christ.

Once again in his love and mercy, God again called a prophet to guide us, just like the prophets of old. He was an instrument in the hands of God to restore the Church of Jesus Christ. He also translated The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ by the power of God. The Book of Mormon, like the Bible was written by prophets -- just in another part of the world: the ancient Americas. It stands hand-in-hand with Bible to witness of Jesus Christ. It confirms and clarifies the truths taught in the Bible. God knew there would be a lot of confusion, so he provided the Book of Mormon. It is evidence that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true chruch. I love the Book of Mormon, and I know it's true. It has helped me to come unto Christ, and I have seen it bless the lives of others.

You can know if these things are true for yourself as you read the Book of Mormon, ponder what you read, and pray in faith, asking if it's true. The Holy Ghost will let you know if it's true if you are sincere and are willing to act on the answer you get.

Moroni 10:3-5

 3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth  of all things.

 Let me share one of my favorite scriptures from the Book of Mormon:

 2 Nephi 25:26

26 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.

I invite you to read the Book of Mormon, you may read it online or request a free copy by following this link. http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng