Sunday, December 2 2012

Trials of Your Faith
By Neil L. Anderson

Our Relief Society lesson this last week was from the conference talk given by Neil L. Anderson. Posted below is a link to the talk for those there on Sunday to review, and those who couldn't make it to read through if they would like.
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/trial-of-your-faith?lang=eng

Our faith is most important to us. From the talk we learn that our faith should be centered in Christ. We are given trials to show our faith and test our courage. Faith is active not passive, so when the hard times come we need to be prepared and act.

Reiterated throughout the lesson we learned to...
Stick to what we know, it will pull you through our trials.

In the talk were given two examples of people who had faith through their trials. The first was from a single woman and the second from a man.
“God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.”¹² In the New Testament the Savior lifted the moral standard for His followers when He declared, “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”¹³ He taught us not to condemn others, but He was unafraid to speak directly: “Go,” He said, “and sin no more.”¹⁴

Another friend served an outstanding mission, followed by rigorous academic training. He hoped to have a family. His trial of faith: feelings of same-sex attraction. He wrote me recently: “I am promised in my patriarchal blessing that I will have my own family someday. Whether that will occur in this life or the next, I do not know. But what I do know is that I don’t want to do anything that will jeopardize the blessings God has promised both me and my future posterity. … Living [the law of chastity] is a challenge, but did we not come to earth to confront challenges and to show God our love and respect for Him by keeping His commandments? I am blessed with good health, the gospel, a loving family, and loyal friends. I am grateful for my many blessings.”¹⁶

Although they faced hardships, what made the difference for them?
In class we discussed:

• Going to the temple to keep an eternal focus.
• Patriarchal blessings.
• Gratitude
• Write down what you know.

Satan will use pieces of truth to confuse us, and if we become complacent in our faith it will be much easier to fall. Remember Helaman 5:12 if we build on Christ we cannot fall. Stay close to the church when the trials come, for they will come, and we need the gospel most at these times. Put Christ first and everything else will fall into place. He will not leave us behind. 

I will wrap this up with Elder Anderson's testimony:

With faith come trials of faith, bringing increased faith. The Lord’s comforting assurance to the Prophet Joseph Smith is the very same promise He makes to you in your trial of faith: “Hold on … , fear not … , for God shall be with you forever and ever.”²⁸ Of this I bear my sacred witness in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.