Doubts, doubters and deceivers class Feb 4

Scriptures:

1 Ne 2:9-16

Mosiah 26:3

1Ne 3:5-7, 28-31

1 Ne 4:2-4,6,15

1 Ne 7:8-14

1 Ne 15:7-11

D&C 6:14

1 Ne 15:10-11

1 Ne 16:1-4

God knows something we don’t .  Pres Uchtdorf  Living the gospel Joyfully RS Gen Conf Oct 2014

If you truly believe this, in your hearts---if you truly believe the great mission of our Heavenly Father is to exalt and glorify His children and that He knows best how to do it---doesn’t it make sense to embrace and follow His commandments, even the ones that appear difficult? 

One reason Satan encourages murmuring is to prevent us from following living prophets, inspired leaders, and parents. Elder H. Ross Workman of the Seventy explained that “murmuring consists of three steps, each leading to the next in a descending path to disobedience.” First, when people murmur they begin to question. They question “first in their own minds and then [plant] questions in the minds of others.” Second, those who murmur begin to “rationalize and excuse themselves from doing what they [have] been instructed to do. … Thus, they [make] an excuse for disobedience.” Their excuses lead to the third step: “Slothfulness in following the commandment.”

“The Lord has spoken against this attitude in our day: ‘But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned’ (D&C 58:29). …

“I invite you to focus on the commandment from living prophets that bothers you the most. Do you question whether the commandment is applicable to you? Do you find ready excuses why you cannot now comply with the commandment? Do you feel frustrated or irritated with those who remind you of the commandment? Are you slothful in keeping it? Beware of the deception of the adversary. Beware of murmuring” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2001, 104–6; or Ensign, Nov. 2001, 85–86).

Pres Uchtdorf says,  It’s natural to have questions—the acorn of honest inquiry has often sprouted and matured into a great oak of understanding. There are few members of the Church who, at one time or another, have not wrestled with serious or sensitive questions. Oct 2013 

Neal A Maxwell stated: It is (my) opinion that all the scriptures, including the Book of Mormon, will remain in the realm of  faith. Science wil not be able to prove or disprove holy wit. However, enough plausible evidence will come forth to prevent scoffers from having a field day, but not enough to remove the requirement of faith.”  Plain and Precious Things 1983 Deseret Book 

Elder Holland Oct 2013 conference 

When those moments ( of doubt)  surface, the resolution of which is not immediately forthcoming, hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes. The size of your faith or the degree of your knowledge is not the issue—it is the integrity you demonstrate toward the faith you do have and the truth you already know.

     

When problems come and questions arise, do not start your quest for faith by saying how much you do not have, leading as it were with your “unbelief.

I am not asking you to pretend to faith you do not have. I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have. Sometimes we act as if an honest declaration of doubt is a higher manifestation of moral courage than is an honest declaration of faith. It is not! So let us all remember the clear message of this scriptural account: Be as candid about your questions as you need to be; life is full of them on one subject or another. But if you and your family want to be healed, don’t let those questions stand in the way of faith working its miracle.

Brothers and sisters, this is a divine work in process, with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please don’t hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will. In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith.

The Fruits of Faith

Look Up, My Soul – The Divine Promise of Hope, Book by Gerald N. Lund

Story of man and tithing - pp. 30 – 38

Answers to our Prayers

Bible Dictionary: “Prayer”

Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them.

Effects and Fruits of Faith

Lectures on Faith  Seven:  19. All things which pertain to life and godliness are the effects of faith.  20. When faith comes, it brings its train of attendants with it - apostles, prophets, Evangelists, pastors, teachers, gifts, wisdom, knowledge, miracles, healings, tongues, interpretation of tongues, etc. All these appear when faith appears on the earth and disappear when it disappears from the earth. For these are the effects of faith and always have attended and always will attend it. For where faith is, there will the knowledge of God be, also, with all things which pertain thereto: revelations, visions, and dreams, as well as every other necessary thing, so the possessors of faith may be perfected and obtain salvation.

Faith is Power

Bible Dictionary: “Faith”  (2^nd paragraph)

Faith is a principle of action and of power, and by it one can command the elements, heal the sick, and influence any number of circumstances when occasion warrants (Jacob 4:4–7). Even more important, by faith one obtains a remission of sins and eventually can stand in the presence of God.

(4^th paragraph)

Although faith is a gift, it must be cultured and sought after until it grows from a tiny seed to a great tree. The effects of true faith in Jesus Christ include: 

(1) an actual knowledge that the course of life one is pursuing is acceptable to the Lord (see Heb. 11:4); 

(2) a reception of the blessings of the Lord that are available to man in this life; and (3) an assurance of personal salvation in the world to come. 

These things involve individual and personal testimony, guidance, revelation, and spiritual knowledge. Where there is true faith there are miracles, visions, dreams, healings, and all the gifts of God that He gives to His saints.

Lectures on Faith

Six:  2. It is essential for any person to have an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to the will of God to enable him to have that confidence in God without which no person can obtain eternal life. 4. Such was and always will be the situation of the Saints of God. Unless they have an actual knowledge that the course they are pursuing is according to the will of God, they will grow weary in their minds and faint. 7. Let us here observe that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation. For from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It is through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life. And it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. 

Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “… the submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we “give,” brothers and sisters, are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!  Consecration thus constitutes the only unconditional surrender which is also a total victory!”  

      (“Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father”, October 1995 General Conference)

Talks and Articles

Elder John K. Carmack, “Lord, Increase Our Faith,” Ensign, Mar. 2002, pg. 57

“Prayer: The Soul’s Sincere Desire”  article in Ensign, August 2002

Developing Faith

January 21 Class – Receiving Answers

Lessons from the Liahona (works by faith)  —  1 Nephi 16: 28 – 29;  Alma 37: 40

Lessons from the Brother of Jared — Ether 2: 14 – 25;  3: 1 – 20. Prayer, getting answers, working for answers, faith. Also see Ether 12:20.

Experience of Nephi, obtaining the brass plates, also instructive — 1 Nephi 3: 6 – 7; 4: 3, 6

Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained the role of prayer: “Petitioning in prayer has taught me, again and again, that the vault of heaven with all its blessings is to be opened only by a combination lock. One tumbler falls when there is faith; a second when there is personal righteousness; the third and final tumbler falls only when what is sought is, in God’s judgment—not ours—right for us. Sometimes we pound on the vault door for something we want very much and wonder why the door does not open. We would be very spoiled children if that vault door opened any more easily than it does. I can tell, looking back, that God truly loves me by inventorying the petitions He has refused to grant me. Our rejected petitions tell us much about ourselves but also much about our flawless Father.”  Source: “Insights,” New Era, Apr. 1978

To get answers we need:  Faith, Personal righteousness, Ask for things that are right (aligned with God’s will).  

      Also need Honest Heart, Real intent, to act – put forth effort

Ask for the Right Things:  3 Nephi 18:20; James 4:3; 2 Nephi 4:35; D&C 8:10; D&C 88: 64-65; 

Bible Dictionary: Prayer – "Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.”

How is this done?  D&C 46:30; D&C 50: 29-30.

“Prayer: The Soul’s Sincere Desire” Ensign Article, August 2002 

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Learning to Recognize Answers to Prayer”. October 1989 General Conference

January 7 Class - Faith

Bible Dictionary: Faith

Alma 22: 15 – 23:  King Lamoni’s father.  "I will give away all my sins to know thee."

To Know God:  John 1: 1 – 3;  D&C 132: 21 – 24

Lectures on Faith: Lectures Three, Four, Five.  The Character of God

Alma 26: 21 – 22.  How to Know God

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Grandeur of God”.  October 2003 General Conference

Elder Bruce R. McConkie, “Mormon Doctrine”, subject: God. Pg 318

Elder Melvin J. Ballard, Classic Discourses from the General Authorities: "The Sacramental Covenant”.  Last 4 paragraphs

President Brigham Young said: “When you . . . see our Father, you will see a being with whom you have long been acquainted, and He will receive you into His arms and you will be ready to fall into His embrace and kiss Him . . . You will be so glad and joyful. . .  When you are qualified and purified, . . . you can endure the glory of eternity.”            [JD 4:45-55]

"A few years ago we knew our Elder Brother well, and we knew his, and our, Father in heaven. We rejoiced at the upcoming opportunity for earth life that would make it possible for us to have a fullness of joy like they had. We could hardly wait to demonstrate to our Father and our Brother, the Lord, how much we loved them and how we would be obedient to them in spite of the earthly opposition of the evil one. And now we’re here—our memories are veiled—and we’re showing God and ourselves what we can do. And nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar his face is to us. And then, President Young said, we’re going to wonder why we were so stupid in the flesh."  Pres. Ezra Taft Benson, New Era, May 1975

January 14 Class – Developing Faith

Hebrews 11:1 (JST);  Alma 32: 21.  Definition of Faith.

“True to the Faith”, subject: Faith.  pp. 54 - 56

Bible Dictionary: Faith.  Principle of action and power.

Lectures on Faith: Lecture One.  "The principle of power which existed in the bosom of God, by which he framed the worlds, was faith."

Moroni 7: 37, 33  Faith is a Principle of Power

Alma 32: 26 – 43.  Experiment upon the word.  Desire.  Plant the seed.  Faith -> Hope -> Knowledge

Alma 5: 46; Alma 26: 22.  You are the soil.  How must the soil be prepared?

Elder Robert D. Hales, “Finding Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ”.  October 2004 General Conference. 5 steps – Pattern.

President Henry B. Eyring, “A Living Testimony”.  April 2011 General Conference