Faith: Joe Olson

What is Faith? The belief in some unseen power or person is a very appropriate definition but, I like to see faith as something more. I believe that faith is confidence in the reality of gospel, Christ and His atonement, prophets and leaders, but I also believe that faith is confidence in yourself. If we don’t have faith in ourselves then none of the wonderful things of the gospel are possible. “And the Spirit said unto me: Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken? And I said: Yea, thou knowest that I believe all the words of my father. And when I had spoken these words, the Spirit cried with a loud voice, saying Hosanna to the Lord, the most high God; for he is God over all the earth, yea, even above all. And blessed art thou, Nephi, because thou believest in the Son of the most high God; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou has desired,”(1 Nephi 11:4-6). Nephi is a great example of faith. As seen in this scripture there was no doubt in his mind that he had faith in the teachings of his father and he was so confident that he knew that the Lord knew he had faith in these teachings. The faith I have in my life is tied closely the gospel but, I have started to find out that everything in the Lords eyes have spiritual meaning. I have been able to have some the most spiritual experience of my life in places that I would never have thought were capable of having the spirit. This has strengthen my faith in myself and more importantly our Savior.

Confidence has not come to me easily I have had to work hard on this my whole life. My life has been surrounded by sports and confidence is essential in any sport. I played baseball throughout high school with many talented players that helped me gain confidence in my abilities to perform at high level. As a freshman I could have been easily intimidated but these amazing athletes but, they took me under their wing and made me believe in myself. That wonderful blessing has transferred over to ever aspect of my life. As I have strived to live the gospel standards and prepare for my mission I have found a power that I cannot deny. As I have searched the scriptures I have found many that would illustrate my feelings towards this but the following scriptures describes it the best. “Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven,”(D&C 121:45) When my dad shared this scripture with me I was overwhelmed with the spirit and knew that my faith in the gospel, Christ, and myself have given me the confidence to face my daily challenges.

"The Prophet Joseph was truly blessed with the ability to inspire faith. One bright morning Joseph walked up to John E. Page and said, 'Brother John, the Lord is calling you on a mission to Canada.' "John E. Page was rather astonished and said, 'Why, Brother Joseph, I can't go on a mission to Canada. I don't even have a coat to wear.' "The Prophet Joseph took his own coat from his back, handed it to John Page, and said, 'Here, John, wear this, and the Lord will bless you.' Brother Page took the coat, went to Canada, and in two years walked 5,000 miles and baptized 600 souls, because he trusted in the words of a prophet of God," (Thomas S. Monson). Faith is the center piece of a missionaries life. Without faith nothing is possible. Missionaries rely on their faith testimonies to bring others into the fold. I know that the Lord calls missionaries through inspiration of our prophet. I think about where the Lord is going to send me everyday as I am about to turn in my mission papers. Through my faith I have been comforted with the spirit that wherever I go to serve will be because I am needed there. Even though my mission won’t be easy and I will have plenty of trails to endure the lord will bless me according to my faith in Him. “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them,”(1 Nephi 3:7) The person that is, once again, the best example is Nephi. He endured my trials through his journey’s through the wilderness and back to Jerusalem. His attitude is the attitude that all missionaries should have.

Faith is the vital part of our personal Liahona. “Our Father's promises will all be fulfilled; . . . He sent His Only Begotten to the earth to mark the path and lead the way; . . . the Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith on the morning of a beautiful, clear day early in the spring of 1820, restoring thereafter all that is required to successfully complete man's earthly journey; and . . . a prophet today, President Gordon B. Hinckley, points the way for those who will look and live forever. . . . Exercise [your] faith and diligently give heed to the directions and pointers of latter-day Liahonas,” (Lowell M. Snow). We need to exercise our faith and testimonies often. We need to put our knowledge of the gospel to the test in order for us to grow. I have had many experiences in my life where I have had the wonderful opportunity to put my faith and testimony to the test. I took the challenge to read the entire Book of Mormon that Pres. Hinckley proposed a few years ago. Even though this wasn’t a huge test where I had to endure pains and sufferings it was a life changing experience. I had never read through the entire book and yet had a solid testimony of it. I pondered over Moroni 10: 3-5 “…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…that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts…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 your by the power of the Holy Ghost.” After I asked God if the book was true I was overwhelmed with confirmation that the Book of Mormon is true! The Book of Mormon has change my life. It’s truth has been the catalyst for my testimony of this gospel. Joseph Smith could not describe it any better than “…the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth,” (Joseph Smith: Introduction to the Book of Mormon). My faith in the gospel has grown so much just because I was willing to put my knowledge to the test.

In conclusion, our faith in the gospel, Christ, and ourselves should be the keystone of our lives. Faith in ourselves is the start of wonderful things. Through our faith Christ will help us accomplish any righteous cause in our lives. Christ has all and He is willing to share it with us if we decided to take that first step down His straight and narrow path. “But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words And this it is Amen,” (1 Nephi 9:6)

Sources
1 Nephi 11:4-6
D&C 121:45
1 Nephi 3:7
Moroni 10: 3-5
1 Nephi 9:6
Thomas S. Monson “By Example.” New Era Dec. 2007
Lowell M. Snow “Compass of The Lord.” Ensign, Nov. 2005
Joseph Smith: Introduction to the Book of Mormon