Ether 12 – Faith

There is no way I have the time to do justice to the thoughts that came flooding into my mind as I read this epic chapter on FAITH.  But I could not help going to my beginnings of faith.  My faith was so small and new, but nonetheless, it WAS faith.  I don’t even believe that I thought, “I will now exercise faith and change the course of my life”.  I only knew that I was unhappy and went to my knees.  It was such a simple prayer.  Actually, I didn’t go to my knees.  I fell on my bed in tears and frustration at my life and the pitiful way I was living and said, “Heavenly Father, whatever it is my parents are praying for, I’m ready to do what it takes.”  That simple prayer, according to Moroni in this chapter, was sufficient faith.  It takes faith to pray!  I obviously had the faith that my prayer was going somewhere to someone that had the power to change my life.  Believe me, it changed my life.

Verse 18 says “And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God.”  I don’t remember that my thoughts were necessarily turned toward the Son of God.  It was a very quick response to my simple act of faith though.  So quick, in fact, that I was left “standing in the square” wondering.  I gave credit to my Heavenly Father, because it was a miracle!  And the more I prayed, the more I saw His hand in the makings of a new life. 

Verse 32 says that “. . . men must hope, or he cannot receive an inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared”.  I don’t know that I was working on any “inheritance” at that point in my faith either.  In fact, I probably believe I had given up any inheritance and was the prodigal son and just wanted some crumbs.  I just wanted to stop living in such misery and hoped the Lord could somehow fix it. 

I think what I’m trying to say is that if anyone is really reading this and desires a change in their life, look to your Savior for help.  He has the power to change lives.  This chapter is an excellent guide to what needs to come after the exercise of your faith.  HOPE for a better future.  Verse 32: “. . . wherefore man must hope, or he cannot receive an inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared”.  I don’t necessarily believe the “place” is only after this life.  The Lord loves us, and he wants us to have joy in this life.  This world was created for our joy!  Moses 1:39 says, “For behold, this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”  Our purpose in life is to glorify God!  What a magnificent thought – one that brings me joy because when I’m happy, I know the Lord is happy with me. 

So is that all then?  Hope?  No, there is one more critical piece and this is where we get the rest of the blessing.  It is in charity.  In Verse 33 Moroni says, “. . . wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father.”  The love our Savior has given us by sacrificing his life for us is charity.  He requires that we “pass it forward” so to speak.  When we have seen the Lord’s hand in saving us, then we have the responsibility to see that others find that in their own lives.  This is called missionary work.  It is also called doing good works – passing it forward.

It is that part of this miracle – the charity part – that we must continue working on to the end of our days.  What a beautiful plan.  The stronger we get, the more we will desire to do so.  It is in showing us our weakness that we find that strength because we know we didn’t have the power to do what was needed before we exercised that faith.  What a beautiful thing.  What a beautiful Plan of our Heavenly Father.

And with that thought I will begin my day, which is a day I know will be filled with harder stuff than I feel I can do on my own.  It is only because of my Savior’s love for me that I’m able to make it through these hard days.  Yesterday was another one.  I marveled at the end of the day that I really did accomplish what I did.  That strength came from getting up early enough to spend time with my scriptures and then going forward.  When I give the Lord the first few minutes of my day, I know it will be a better day.