The RS lesson for Sunday was taken from two messages from the 2012 October General Conference;
Trial of Your Faith by Elder Neil L. Andersen (p39), and
By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled by Elder Marcus B. Nash (p99).
I agreed to give the RS lesson (substitute) and was excited about these messages. I remember loving them as they were given. Then I started reading and preparing and realized that the last RS lesson I gave was on Faith and I was worried about how I would approach and present this lesson so that it would not be the same ole thing I had previously done.
As I was re-reading the messages there seemed to be one thing that stood out to me - something that I really didn't want to do, but it seemed that I should do. I would begin with the question "
What is Faith?" - really? It seemed so childish, but as I continued going through those messages I was convinced that that was the direction my lesson would take, and it would continue throughout the whole lesson ... "
What is Faith? - Really!"
Of course - when the Lord gives you a direction, you'd better take it! So I did!
The lesson began with that question and we spent the rest of the time sharing quotes and scriptures and filling the chalkboard with words that answer the question "What is Faith?". The lesson plan I prepared follows, but did not go exactly as written (I knew it wouldn't), because I handed out several quotes and scriptures for others to read and asked that they share them, and any other comments and experiences they might like to share, at any time through the lesson - whenever they felt prompted. I am grateful that the spirit touched their hearts to share when they did - we have a wonderful group of women in our Relief Society.
Start with
this sentence from Elder Nash – “All things are
fulfilled by faith.” (p99)
This faith
we talk of today is the faith in Jesus Christ.
“Our faith must be centered in
Jesus Christ in order
to produce salvation.” (Bible dict)
So what is faith? (FAITH =)
Elder
Andersen said; “The gift of faith
is a priceless spiritual endowment”.
(p39)
Elder Nash
said that "faith is both a principle of action and of power." (p99) (action = something
we do and power = something we gain or receive)
At this point the chalk board looked something like this:
FAITH = ACTION / DO = POWER / GAIN =
gift
endowment
(The lesson continued, and all of the words that are underlined were added in the correct place on the board.)
Faith is a hope…,
an assurance…, a confidence in something or someone. (p99+)
“Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the
gospel and is more than belief, since true faith always moves its
possessor to some kind of physical and mental action; it carries an
assurance of the fulfillment of the things hoped for.” (Bible
dict.)
How do we get faith? (this is the “action/something we do” part) (OBTAIN FAITH= was added under ACTION/DO)
Bible dictionary says; “Although faith is a gift, it must be cultured
and sought after…”
Pray / pray always / pray for increased
faith / find answers to your prayers (seek it) (receive answers) (p39, 99)
Patiently
wait (p99)
Press forward with hope (p99)
Believe and Trust God (according
to His timing) (p39-42, 99-101)
Fear not! (p42, 100)
Study Scriptures (ponder) (40+) “You are to teach the scriptures… (which also means then, that we are to learn them) … therein we find principles of truth that will resolve every confusion and every
problem and every dilemma that will face the human
family or any individual in it.” (Elder
Packer)
Obey / Learn and Live the
gospel – “All true faith must be based
upon correct knowledge or it cannot
produce the desired results.” (Bible dict.)
Attend church meetings / Meet
together with others who believe. (p40+)
Partake of the sacrament. (p40)
Worship thru music (in our meetings,
homes, vehicles, etc.) (p40)
Share testimony of the Savior. (p40)
Serve one another. (p40)
Feel the spirit of the Lord / Invite
it (p40, 100)
Receive blessings of the priesthood. (p40)
Attend the temple. (p40) “In
the ordinances, the power of godliness is manifest, when you are faced with a test of faith, stay within the
safety and security of the household of God.
There is always a place for you
here. No trial is so large we can’t
overcome it together.”
The
April 2013 Vting message encourages us to make and keep sacred temple covenants, and quotes President Monson, saying; “As we remember the covenants we make
within the temple, we will be more able
to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation.”
There
was also a story about the early saints who received strength, power, and
blessings through temple covenants,
and they testified that it was those temple covenants that sustained them.
We too can
be sustained by our temple covenants!
How do we keep or strengthen our
faith / How do we remain steadfast and immovable during a trial of faith?
Same
answers as above. (add / KEEP FAITH= beside OBTAIN FAITH)
It is within the sanctuary of the Church
that we protect our faith. (p39, 40) (attend church)
“The church is not a place where
perfect people gather to say perfect things or have perfect thoughts, or have
perfect feelings. The church is a place where imperfect people gather to
provide encouragement, support and service to each other as we press on in our
journey to return to our Heavenly Father.”
(Joseph B. Wirthlin)
“You immerse yourself in the very things that
helped build your core of faith; you exercise faith in Christ, you pray,
you ponder the scriptures, you repent, you keep the
commandments, and you serve others.” (p40, 99, 100)
(I love the
word immerse in that sentence – “immerse yourself in the very things that
helped build your core of faith”.
Immerse is to “plunge into
something that surrounds or covers” – plunge into the very things
that helped build your core of faith so that it may surround and cover you.)
(Another
word in that sentence stood out to me – exercise
– We often
hear that word when we hear about faith – exercise faith. I think it
gives extra meaning to faith – Webster says that “exercise is an act of employing or putting into play; something performed or practiced in order to
develop, improve, or display a specific capability
or skill.” Perfect isn’t it! )
“We treasure our faith …, and do all within our
power to protect and defend our faith” (p39)
(
Most
anything we get or gain can be lost – usually through neglect or forgetfulness,
but sometimes as with losing weight, we even put much effort into it. Consider that as we discuss the next
question.)
How can we lose our faith? (HOW LOSE FAITH=)
We must be
aware of all of the obstacles in our way to lead us off the path of faith.
“Satan will use
such things as doubt, fear, or sin to tempt us to let go of faith and lose the
protection it offers” (p100)
Doubt - Stop believing &
trusting in the Lord – “Unbelief
in the Lord or His gospel will cause us to resist
the Spirit of God.” (p100)
READ Mosiah
4:9
“Believe
in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and
in earth; believe that he has all wisdom,
and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which
the Lord can comprehend.”
Elder Nash
said that “If, because of unbelief or
doubt, you find your faith wavering … keep in mind that “faith and reason are necessary companions”, and
then he asked that we consider the following
analogy – “faith and
reason are like the two wings of an aircraft. Both are essential to maintain
flight. If from your perspective, reason seems to contradict faith, pause
and remember that our perspective is extremely limited compared with the
Lords. Do not discard faith any more than you would detach a wing from an
aircraft in flight. Instead, nurture a particle of faith and permit the
hope it produces to be an anchor to your soul – and to your reason.” (p100)
Fear – Fear distracts from and
undermines faith in the Savior. (p100+)
Remember “the Apostle Peter looked to the Lord one stormy night as he walked on
water, until he averted his gaze and saw the wind, boisterous, and he became
afraid, and then sank into the stormy sea.
He could have continued walking had he not feared.”
“Rather
than focusing upon and fearing the boisterous wind and waves in our lives, the
Lord invites us to ‘look unto Him in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” (p42, 100)
Sin / Heeding the temptations of Satan
causes us to lose faith. “Sin diminishes the presence of the spirit in our lives, and without the Holy
Ghost, we will lack the spiritual stamina to hold on to and exercise faith.” (100, 40) (be worthy of Holy Ghost)
Bible
dictionary says that “A lack of faith
leads one to despair, which comes because of iniquity.”
Pride / Love praise of men
more than praise of God (John 12:43)
Blinded eyes / Hardened heart (John 12:40)
Stop praying, studying the scriptures,
following Christ’s teachings (42, 99 +)
“Be diligent in keeping all the commandments,
lest your faith fail you. If sin has
stained your life, I invite you to exercise faith unto repentance, and
the Savior, thru the Atonement, will purify and heal your life.” (p100, 101)
“Remember that faith precedes and produces miracles.” (p100)
“Faith brings us the power of the Lord, which -
among other things – is manifested by a hope of good things to come, miracles
that confirm our faith, and divine protection in spiritual and temporal
matters.” (p99)
READ
D&C 27:15&17
“Wherefore,
lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon
you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done
all, that ye may be able to stand.”
“Taking the
shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery
darts of the wicked”
(and
then in vs 18 He encourages us to “be faithful until I come”)
If we have
the shield of faith about us we will find that divine protection promised
the faithful. (p100)
Elder Andersen said; “Whatever you do, [DO NOT] step away from the church! Distancing yourself from the kingdom of God
during a trial of faith is like leaving the safety of a secure storm
cellar just as the tornado comes into view.” (p40)
Elder
Andersen said that “fiery trials are
designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust
in the Son of God and to weaken your resolve to keep your promises to Him.
These trials are often camouflaged,
making them difficult to identify. They
take root in our weaknesses, our
vulnerabilities, our sensitivities, or in those things that matter most to
us.
A real manageable test for one can
be a fiery trial for another.” (p40)
In our RS
broadcast a few weeks ago, Sister Burton shared something with us that fits so
perfectly here. She said; “When our faith is shaken, when we begin to
doubt and wonder we may question, Why does the Lord allow suffering and
adversity to come to us in this life?” (we question)
In answer
to this question she said; “Simply put,
it is part of the plan for our growth and progress! Our
needed conversions are often achieved more readily by suffering
and adversity than by comfort and tranquility.”
“All that
is unfair about life can and will be
made right thru the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
Stay close
to Him.
“The Lord will, according to our faith, fulfill His
promises and work with us to overcome every challenge.” (p100) (He will work with us)
“He will bless each of us with hope, protection,
and power according to our faith in Him.” (p100)
“Steadfast faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will anchor
us and our loved ones, to ‘the rock of our Redeemer and His matchless power to
save.” (we’ll be saved / eternal life)
- “By faith one obtains a remission
of sins and eventually can stand in the presence of God.” (Bible
dict.)
“If we are strongly and securely attached to the Rock
of our Redeemer, faith will help us to safely climb the gospel path, overcome
every challenge of mortality, and return to the majestic presence of our
Heavenly Father.” (p99)
(a note on my book mark) “The right
path will always be uphill.”
And one thing to remember here is
that uphill leads to God – it will always be worth it, every step will be worth
it; every stumble, every large or tiny upward progression will be worth it.
“By definition, trials will be trying. There may be anguish confusion, sleepless
nights, and pillows wet with tears. But
trials need not be spiritually fatal.
They need not take us from our covenants or from the household of God.” (p41)
READ
Helaman 5:12
“And now,
my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is
Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil
shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm
shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the
gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built,
which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot
fall.” (build your foundation on Christ)
Sister
Hinckley has said; “There are some years in our lives that we would not want to live again. But even these years will pass away, and the
lessons learned will be a future blessing.”
(She continued with this scripture)
D&C
24:8 –Be patient in afflictions, for thou
shalt have many; but endure them, for lo, I am with thee, even unto the
end of thy days.
She also
said; “Keep the Faith. It pays such
great dividends!” (Small and Simple Things p100-103)
“Like the intense fire that transforms iron into
steal, as we remain faithful during the fiery trial of our faith, we are spiritually
refined and strengthened.” (p42)
“With faith comes trials of faith, bringing increased
faith.” (p42)
“Where there is true faith there are miracles, visions,
dreams, healings, and all the gifts of God that he gives
to his saints.
By it one can command the elements and/or heal
the sick, or influence any number of circumstances when occasion
warrants.” (Bible dict)
Hold
on. Fear Not. For God shall be with you forever and ever. (p42)
I will
close as did Elder Nash, with a quote from our prophet (a favorite of
mine) –
“Your future is as bright as your faith” (p100) (Bright Future)
-----
When the lesson was over, the chalkboard was filled with words. I created a visual to help show what the chalkboard might have looked like, though this visual is much neater than the chalkboard writing was. I tried to remember everything that the sisters added, but I'm sure I am forgetting some. This list is not meant to be a complete list, so feel free to add your own as you read thru it.
The filled chalkboard was a visual that our eyes beheld and it touched our hearts to see it before us.
I was very grateful for the divine guidance and direction given me as I prepared, and for the help presenting it.
Fact:
I had a cold (runny nose and sneezing often) before I started the lesson and I worried that I would waste too much time taking care of my nose during the lesson. I was armed with Kleenex within reach and when the meeting was over I realized I hadn't needed a single tissue. How's that for help from above! Pretty perfect I'd say.
It is Tuesday as I write this, and the cold and runny nose are still with me, but I'm grateful for the 45 minutes of healing I received Sunday. :) I've gone through more than one box of Kleenex already.
“Keep the Faith. It pays such great dividends!”
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