Trial of Faith

With all the controversies going on in the world today, especially within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, people are falling away. They are questioning their testimonies and for some, they are not strong enough to withstand the questions that remain unanswered in their hearts.

I do not in any way discourage those who have questions. This is because I have had periods in my life where I have had questions and doubts. This morning as I was pondering those questions and doubts, a scripture came to my mind.

Ether 12:6 "And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen, wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."

There are a few times in the Book of Mormon that we are told that the Lord will try our faith, meaning(to me) he will test us to see if our testimonies are strong. Even though we want God to answer all of our questions and remove the doubt that is in us, we will "receive no witness until after the trial of our faith."

Think of a principle of the gospel that you understand really well. For me, the first thing that comes to mind is tithing. When I started paying tithing, I was a little girl. We all know that children have unfailing faith. I didn't know why I payed tithing, I just did it. I trusted that because it was something the Lord asked me to do, and the prophets and apostles spoke about it in every general conference, I was happy to do it. Now, since then, I have received my witness and I have a testimony and a deep understanding of the importance of paying tithing, but it did not come until I exerted faith and was obedient.

Somewhere along the way as we grow from child to adult, some of us lose that unfailing faith(myself included). But I know if we act upon the things we are taught in general conference and in other statements by the church, we will receive the witness(maybe not right away) but we WILL receive it.