If We Do Not Doubt, God Will Deliver Us

The Stripling Warriors are some of the most heroic figures in the Book of Mormon. They courageously take up arms to defend their people and their land. These were young men, probably around the age of the missionaries who so valiantly serve in today's world. They were true disciples of Christ. In Alma chapter 53 verse 20 we read, "they were all young.and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, but also for strength and activity, but behold this was not all-they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted."

 I imagine many of these young men had never fought before. If I were in this situation and was thrown into this battle scene I'd probably be speared instantly. I wouldn't last two seconds on the battle front, but these soldiers had such exceeding faith that they knew the Lord would protect them.

Later in chapter 57 we learn a little bit more about their faith. Verse 21 reads, "they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea and even according to their faith it was done unto them."  They knew who to trust and they listened to the exact command and carried it out. A few verses later we read of a divine miracle.

 "And it came to pass there were two hundred out of my two thousand and sixty who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless according to the goodness of God and to our great astonishment and also the joy of our whole army there was not one soul of them who did perish."

Do you understand how miraculous this is?!This is a 2,000 man army full of teenagers who had probably never fought before and not a single one of them is killed on the battlefield. They were wounded. They endured the struggle, yet all of them survived.

I know that just as these soldiers had a commander of the army leading and guiding them through the uncertainty of war, we have a commander, even Jesus Christ who lovingly guides us through our battles in this life. If we listen to Him, and exercise faith, no matter the challenge we will be able to stay on the path. We will at times be wounded and have struggles yet if we trust in the Savior and the Father we will survive.

He will not leave us stranded on the battle field. He will be giving us commands every step of the way. He will run to us and aid us in this war of life. Of all people, He cares most. In a world full of competing voices, find His. Follow His. His voice is the most comforting, the most powerful, and the most loving voice there ever was. He is your Redeemer and mine. Your friend and mine. The commander of us all.

Faith Like Lehi

Faith is a topic I’ve studied over and over again in my life. I’ve had times where I have felt like my faith is unwavering, strong, and guiding.  In contrast to that I have had moments where I have felt my faith fading. Faith to me, is trust. Trusting in God, and trusting in His perfect plan even if I cannot see the full outcome.

Why is it sometimes so hard to believe, to trust, to hope on? Something I learned in my religion class at BYU this week is that God isn’t interested in making our lives easy. We should thank Him for that. He wants us to experience our full potential. He wants to see us grow and become like Him. He wants us to take that “leap of faith” and trust Him. I firmly believe that we struggle, that we have hardships for our benefit. Sometimes God doesn’t immediately reach out to help us. In fact oftentimes He comes on the fourth watch.
We knew coming to earth that we would have to walk by faith, not by sight. Each day we have an opportunity to prove our trust in the Father. 

This week as I started the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ over again. As I learned about a loving Father named Lehi and his family, I learned about faith.  Lehi and his family were commanded to leave Jerusalem because of the wickedness that was encircling them. Without second-guessing the Lord, Lehi left all to follow the Lord.  In first Nephi chapter 2 verses 3 and 4 we read,

“And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him.

And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left His house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him save it were his family.”

I want to have faith like Lehi who forsakes all he has to follow God.  Lehi trusted that maybe God knew something he didn’t fully know. Lehi and his family were greatly blessed for following the counsel of the Lord. Faith is action and we are taught in the scriptures that faith without works is dead. If we trust in the Lord and act on His promptings we will as Lehi’s family did “prosper in the land.” 

I will try to be better like Lehi by sacrificing small things to better know my Savior. Lehi gave up all his worldly possessions. In todays world there are many things trying to distract us from God’s plan. Our relationship with the Father is far too priceless to sell short because of the distractions of the world.