"Be Not Afraid, Only Believe"
Conference Talk given by President Uchtdorf in the 2015 Priesthood Session
Doctrine:
We believe in God because of things we know with our heart and mind, not because of things we do not know. Our spiritual experiences are sometimes too sacred to explain in worldly terms, but that doesn’t mean they are not real.
There is no magic to belief. But wanting to believe is the necessary first step! God is no respecter of persons.6 He is your Father. He wants to speak to you. However, it requires a little scientific curiosity—it requires an experiment upon the word of God—and the exercise of a “particle of faith.”7 It also takes a little humility. And it requires an open heart and an open mind. It requires seeking, in the full meaning of the word. And, perhaps hardest of all, it requires being patient and waiting upon the Lord.
Invitation to Action:
Do we stand loyal to God?
Do we practice what we preach, or are we Sunday Christians only?
Do our daily actions reflect clearly what we claim to believe?
Do we help “the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted”?
Do we just talk the talk, or do we enthusiastically walk the walk?
Heavenly Father has prepared for His children a spiritual feast, offering every kind of exquisite food imaginable—and yet, instead of enjoying these spiritual gifts, the cynics content themselves with observing from a distance, sipping from their cups of skepticism, doubt, and disrespect.
Why would anyone walk through life satisfied with the light from the candle of their own understanding when, by reaching out to our Heavenly Father, they could experience the bright sun of spiritual knowledge that would expand their minds with wisdom and fill their souls with joy?
When you and I talk to people about faith and belief, don’t we often hear, “I wish I could believe the way you do”?
Implied in such a statement is another of Satan’s deceptions: that belief is available to some people but not to others. There is no magic to belief. But wanting to believe is the necessary first step! God is no respecter of persons. He is your Father. He wants to speak to you. However, it requires a little scientific curiosity—it requires an experiment upon the word of God—and the exercise of a “particle of faith.”7 It also takes a little humility. And it requires an open heart and an open mind. It requires seeking, in the full meaning of the word. And, perhaps hardest of all, it requires being patient and waiting upon the Lord.
Promised Blessings:
When we choose to believe, exercise faith unto repentance, and follow our Savior, Jesus Christ, we open our spiritual eyes to splendors we can scarcely imagine. Thus our belief and faith will grow stronger, and we will see even more.
We can choose to believe.
For in belief, we discover the dawn of light.
We will discover truth.
We will find peace.
Because of our belief, we will never hunger, never thirst. The gifts of God’s grace will enable us to be true to our faith and will fill our soul like “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” We will experience true and lasting joy.
To listen to or read the lesson click here:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/be-not-afraid-only-believe?lang=eng
Lesson Schedule
December 8th - Presidents Instruction
December 13th - Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 23
December 20th- Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 24
December 27th - Teaching for our Time
Reminders:
Lutheran Christmas Cantata
Saturday, December 12th, 11:00 am
Please R.S.V.P. to 709-7478 so we can get a count on how many sisters will be attending. There will be a luncheon following the concert and we have been asked to give a head count for the luncheon!
Recipes on the blog:
Have you seen the new recipes on the recipe blog? Help me add to them by sharing your favorite holiday recipes!
Please send them to: drbennett1@hotmail.com or call or text them to 208-351-7083.
Visit the ward recipe blog: www.burton4threcipes.blogspot.com
