Faith and Testimony

Tina D. led the discussion from Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Howard W. Hunter Manuel.         Lesson 21: Faith and Testimony

               "The supreme achievement of life is to find God and know that He lives"- President Hunter

1. Through faith, we can find God and know that He lives. 

Hebrews 11:1-6
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2  For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrificethan Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.  6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

What is the role of faith in accomplishing the quest of finding God?

One sister commented it is the magic of trying even if it is not perfect. 

2. To obtain a knowledge of the reality of God, we must make a faithful effort, do His will, and pray for understanding. 

President Hunter said "the task was not easy... and the burden was not light." Much devoted effort must be put into gaining and keeping a testimony. 

3. We must believe in order to see.

The disciple Thomas wanted to see with his own eyes before he would believe. We discussed how faith is related to the future, and we like Thomas,  must turn toward the future with confidence even when we might not feel satisfied with what we cannot see. Having faith can give us confidence in things that may not be visible.  Thomas was contrasted with the man born blind in John 9. Although he could not see Jesus with his own eyes, he had faith and chose to believe. 

John 20:29

"Blessed are they who  have not seen, and yet have believed."

"Faith does not take precedence over doubt when one must feel or see in order to believe." (President Howard W. Hunter.)

4. Acting on our faith leads to personal testimony

We took time to read Alma 32:37-43 and discussed in small groups how we must nourish the seed that is our testimony. 

"37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.

38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.

39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.

40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.

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 patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing upunto everlasting life."

Walking the Savior's Path of Charity

Alison F. lead discussion around the lesson in Chapter 20: Walking the Savior’s Path of Charity of the Howard W. Hunter manual.

The touchstone of compassion is a measure of our discipleship; it is a measure of our love for God and for one another. (Chapter 20: Walking the Savior’s Path of Charity)

• How does your love of God fuel your charity toward others?

An old axiom states that a man “all wrapped up in himself makes a small bundle.” Love has a certain way of making a small bundle large. The key is to love our neighbor, including the neighbor that is difficult to love. We need to remember that though we make our friends, God has made our neighbors—everywhere. Love should have no boundary; we should have no narrow loyalties. Christ said, “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?” (Matthew 5:46). (Chapter 20: Walking the Savior’s Path of Charity)

• How can we increase our love for neighbors who may be “difficult to love”?
  How was your heart changed or what blessing followed?
  Have you at times been "difficult to love"?

"These two virtues, love and service, are required of us if we are to be good neighbors and find peace in our lives." (Chapter 20: Walking the Savior’s Path of Charity)

• Do you remember a time when you felt love from someone who made you a priority by listening to you and sharing a topical experience from their life?
• What is your favorite scripture that shows how the Savior did this?

(The gospel of Jesus Christ) provides the only way the world will ever know peace. We need to be kinder with one another, more gentle and forgiving. We need to be slower to anger and more prompt to help. We need to extend the hand of friendship and resist the hand of retribution. In short, we need to love one another with the pure love of Christ, with genuine charity and compassion and, if necessary, shared suffering, for that is the way God loves us. (Chapter 20: Walking the Savior’s Path of Charity)

President Joseph Smith

“If we would secure and cultivate the love of others, we must love others, even our enemies as well as friends. … Christians should cease wrangling and contending with each other, and cultivate the principles of union and friendship in their midst.” (History of the Church, 5:498–99.)

In Moroni 7:48 it says: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ”

Find someone difficult to love and pray for them - listen for ways to show charity to that person.

Service Opportunities with "Just Serve"- October 30, 2016

This Sunday we had a combined Priesthood and Relief Society meeting in the chapel describing ways we can get more involved serving in the community through the church's "JustServe" website.

Two JustServe stake coordinators helped us get excited about community service. Mary from the stake encouraged us to serve if we have extra time during the month, but also reminded everyone not to feel pressured if you just don't have enough time.

The JustServe website allows people all over the world to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities in their own communities.

Mary also reminded us that serving in the community softens our hearts and those we serve. We can be a light in a darkening world.

The second stake coordinator for JustServe discussed how we can learn how to comfort others who are suffering during our moments of strength. Sometimes we feel weak and need service from others, but we can offer service when we are feeling strong.

The JustServe website helps us with three things:
1- FIND service opportunities
2- POST service opportunities
3- INVITE friends to serve


The website allows us to post service opportunities that we become aware of, even if we are not able to volunteer for them ourselves.

Bishop Miner finished the meeting by encouraging us to reach out and be disciples of Christ.