Well, you guys, I've received a lot of love and support from you this week, and I'd like to thank you all so much for your help. It's definitely made a difference. :)
This past week, I've been studying a lot about the Book of Mormon. I've been reviewing Joseph Smith History, reading church articles that dig into and explain more about the Book of Mormon, and I've also restarted reading it. Except this time, I've taken a brand new, unmarked copy, and, as I read, I have been searching for and highlighting the 5 principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End, all with their own color (Because there's something really cool about opening to a page and seeing all sorts of different colors with corresponding notes and meanings). I've also added a 6th color, which covers promised blessings/consequences, and results. I plan on going through the bible in it's entirety as well, doing the same highlighting technique. I highly recommend coming up with different study techniques like this. Maybe think of a question you have or that you know is common and read the scriptures specifically searching for an answer. You'll be surprised how much the scriptures apply to different things.
Something I've been pondering a lot this week is the phrase "Seeing is Believing. " I've come to the conclusion that that statement is a paradox. If Seeing is Believing, then Believing must be Seeing, but that is not a correct definition. A "Belief" can also be referred to as having Faith in something, but that also, is not fully correct definition.
Now, I have all these analogies and examples in my head, but I actually don't have the time to write them all out this week.
Basically, if we look at the phrase, "Believing in Seeing" (or "Seeing is Believing") in a non-literal way, it makes sense. When we believe (or have faith, as I prefer to say) than we are seeing something that isn't actually seen. This could be anything. Most of us, as kids, believed in the existence of Santa Claus. Some of us even demonstrated faith in Santa Claus by leaving out cookies and milk for him on Christmas Eve. But there is a definite difference between having a belief and having faith.
The here's my question for you: Do you have a belief, or do you have faith?
Think about that.
Do you merely believe in a God? Do you believe that Christ was a prophet, that He was the Son of God, and that he suffered and died for us? Do you believe that there is a life after this one?
Or do you have faith in God? Do you rely on his guidance through prayer, scripture study (and I mean STUDY, not just reading)? Do you have faith in Christ, that he was a prophet, the Son of God, and that he suffered and died for us? Do you actively pursue the repentance process, having faith that Christ will cleanse you, so that you will have a change of heart, so that you will grow into the glorious being that our Heavenly Father has destined for you, so that you can live forever in the world after this one?
Do you see the difference?
Now, for those of you reading this who might be having mini panic attacks, asking yourself "do I actually have faith?" Fear not. Having a belief is the first step of having faith. Apostle Elder Holland shared this story regarding the dilemma of believing, but now knowing: "A 14 year old boy recently said to me a little hesitantly, 'Brother Holland, I can't say yet that I know the Church is true, but I believe it is. ' I hugged that boy until his eyes bulged out. I told him ....that belief is a precious word, an even more precious act, and he need never apologize for 'only believing.' I told him that Christ Himself said, "Be not afraid, only believe'....I told this boy that belief was always the first step toward conviction.....And I told him how very proud I was of him for the honesty of his quest."
I only want to express my belief, that having faith in something is much deeper than having a belief in something. For the longest time, I believed the Book of Mormon was true. I believed that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that we have modern prophets and apostles today, and that, if I followed the teachings of Jesus Christ, I could live eternally in His presence after this life.
It wasn't until I started acting and digging for information to support my belief that I discovered my faith. At the age of 18, I had never really read the Book of Mormon the whole way through. I had never actually read the history of Joseph Smith, I had never prayerfully pondered it's truthfulness, and it wasn't until I finally did those things that I gained faith, a knowledge in things which are not seen, but which are true. And that's actually what I teach people here. I don't just sit there and spew off gospel topics and expect them to take my word for it. I invite (and expect them) to exercise their faith by actively reading the scriptures, praying and attending church, so that they may transform their believe into knowledge that they may stand strong against the adversary which rages so strongly on this earth today, so that one day, they may stand where they belong, in the presence of God, the Eternal Father.
I know sometimes I go way off the deep end and throw a whole bunch of stuff at you in one email. But I do it because I want you to know that my faith isn't just a belief. I act on it. It's a part of my life, and I'm striving to keep it that way, regardless of what others may say, think, or do. And since I know of the joy and peace that comes from having and exercising faith, I encourage all who I can to develop faith for themselves, so that they may reap of the blessing that the Lord our God has in store for them.
I love you all so much. Thanks again for all your love and support. It is deeply valuable, and highly appreciated.
Until next week,
Sister Sally Priest
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