Faith and Hope

I have been asked to speak today about the Savior. We have heard a lot of talks this month about Him. We have just celebrated His birth and in a few months we will remember His death and His resurrection. Each Sunday during Sacrament Meeting we partake of the Sacrament, emblems and symbols of our Lord, and a renewing of the convents that we took upon us at baptism, where we took upon us the name of Jesus Christ and promising to obey His commandments. These emblems are blessed and passed by Brethren who hold the priesthood, God’s power to perform the Gospel’s saving ordinances here on Earth so we, if we live worthily, can return to Him, all performed through the name of Jesus Christ, our mediator with our Father in Heaven.

I would like to speak today about a few groups of people that have very different reactions to the same events and same information about our Savior. I know that the titles I have given these groups are broad and do not fit exactly but the titles are not as important as the reactions of these groups to truth.

The first group is the logic and reason group. This is the group that needs proof and relies on physical evidence; science and philosophy are their mantra. They say that they are enlightened, that it is the 21st Century. They declare that we have moved beyond the myths and legends of our ancestors.

Science is man’s interpretation of what is around us. Science can only be true as long as it is in alignment with the revelations and teaching of God. Science must align with God or it is not true. But if you do not believe in God then a theory is good enough for proof. Joseph Fielding Smith states that “Revelation is superior to Science.” Truth has to firm and solid, it cannot be changeable. Science, as taught by man, is ever changing. It never stays the same. Man’s knowledge is incomplete and often wrong. Man has to restate scientific true over and over again; frequently.

Yet man, in His rejection of God, uses science to be his proof. But man’s proof is flawed. I find it humorous that man will accept the theory that the world was touched by visitors from another far off world or a spore on the back of a meteorite or something similar, and life sprang up but they will not believe that there is a God. They do everything they can to attempt to reason that there is no God. By denying God’s existence they deny the divinity of our nature. They deny the Savior. Without God there is no need for a savoir or any need for commandments. Without God there is no sin, man is just a creature of nature without a soul.

If evolution is true then the gospel is false. If the gospel is false then there was no creation, no garden, no Adam and Eve, and therefore no fall. If there is no fall then there is no need for salvation and no need for a Christ, and no resurrection. Evolution of man from a lower form of life rejects God.

A testimony of the gospel and the Savior cannot be sustained by logic, reason, science or philosophy. The gospel requires the use of faith and hope.

In the Book of Mormon there is a discussion between Alma and Korihor about the existence of God. In Chapter 30 of Alma, Alma says to Korihor:
“…. Believest thou that there is a God? And he (Korihor) answered, Nay. Now Alma said unto him: Will ye deny again that there is a God, and also deny the Christ? For behold, I say unto you, I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come. And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only. But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony unto you that they are true;

And now Korihor said unto Alma: If thou wilt show me a sign, that I may be convinced that there is a God, yea, show unto me that he hath power, and then will I be convinced of the truth of thy words. But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator. And yet do ye go about, leading away the hearts of this people, testifying unto them there is no God? And yet will ye deny against all these witnesses?”

In Joseph Fielding Smith’s book, Doctrines of Salvation Volume II, he says; “Let it be uppermost in our minds, now and at all times, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to lay down his life that we might live. That is the truth and is fundamental. Upon that our faith is built. It cannot be destroyed.”

“We must adhere to this teaching in spite of the teachings of the world and the notions of men, for this is paramount, this is essential to our salvation. The Lord redeemed us with his blood: he gave us salvation, provided – and there is this condition which we must not forget – that we will keep his commandments and always remember him. If we will do that, then we shall be saved, while the ideas and the foolishness of men shall perish from the earth.”

The reason that there is a lack of spirit and force in the religious teachings of the world is in part because they have tried to harmonize the Christian faith with the foolishness of men; and, of course, it will not harmonize with falsehood and the doctrine of men. But we have received the light of the everlasting gospel. It is our salvation. Let us adhere to it and worship the Lord and keep his commandments, as we have been instructed to do, in the name of his Son.” (This comment is from a talk President Smith gave in conference in October of 1921.)

In Colossians chapter 2 Paul warns us “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. “

This brings us to the second group I would like to talk about. Let me first start with some quotes from the scriptures.

Ephesians chapter 4 “….henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; “

2 Timothy Chapter 4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. “

1 Nephi chapter 13 reads: “….for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away. And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men. “

Or this group could be like the people Zachariah was preaching to as “they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.”

There are well meaning men and women who are preaching the gospel – as they understand it – but the gospel has been changed; there was an apostasy. The gospel was changed by those who came before our time, many years ago. It has been handled down flawed and lacking the authority and power necessary to properly perform the saving ordinances. But men and women still have within them the spirit of Christ and they seek the truth.

In 2 Nephi chapter 26 we are warned about preistcraft; “priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.”

This gospel is called legend, common memory, stories, or oral tradition by those who say they are ministers of Christ. They claim that the Bible is not to be taken literally. Ministers even preach that the resurrection did not happen. The teachings of many the churches today are not even the same as the teachings of their founding leaders when they were first established. We talk about the great apostasy but this apostasy continues today. The church as set up by Christ in the meridian of time was changed and the changes still continue. We read daily of churches that are splitting, disagreeing over doctrine and the nature of Christ. The apostasy is real.

In the Doctrine and Convents Section 123 we read: “For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—“

So we have the second group - seekers, asking God for guidance and looking for the gospel because the spirit of Christ that is within them witnesses to them that there is something more. Eventually all men will bow before the Lord and acknowledge Him as Savior and King but for today there are thousands seeking truth but have not yet found it. We need to be aware of our fellow brothers and sisters and their seeking. As individuals we need to be an example to the world and available to share our testimonies. As parents we need to teach our children the mission of Christ and prepare our young men for missions and fatherhood and our daughters for motherhood. As a congregation we need to welcome new members and help them grow their testimonies and prepare them for greater light by attending the temple.

One thing the world has seen and will continue to see is false Christs and those that claim they know when and where Christ will return. Many times in my own life I have seen friends and neighbors go off, leaving their home, jobs, and school, hoping to meet a returning Messiah only to return disappointed. Christ will return. He has too; the prophets and scriptures say He will.

In Matthew chapter 24 Christ himself warns us by saying: “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.”

I am not sure how much clearer the Lord could be when He states – Believe them not. When He returns everyone everywhere will know.

Then there is the third group I would like to touch on – those of us that depend on faith and hope, or at least we should. We waiver, we are weak and sometimes we falter. We should be like the wise men who built his house on a rock so when the storms came it stood firm. A house built upon a foundation of apostles, prophets, and teachers; with Jesus Christ being the corner stone.

In the Book of Mormon 1 Nephi chapter 8 Lehi describes his vision of the tree of life and in part of the vision he says; “And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth. And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit. And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.”

Matthew chapter 8 there is a story about the Lord and His disciples. “And when he (Jesus) was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.”

It is scary out in the world. The rains fall, the wind is like a hurricane, the waves are high and wolves are everywhere. There are a lot voices; all claiming to know the truth or the way to Christ. We sometimes may feel weak and unable to stand firm. Our testimony must be strong; we must stand strong even in the face of the storm. We have to reach a spot where we are comfortable with our testimonies. We cannot be influenced by the scoffers and unbelievers or seduced by the silver tongue philosophers. If we follow the Savior, obey His commandments, He will take care of us. This is not to say we will not have problems and trials, but He will take care of us. Remember Him and keep His commandments – sounds like the sacrament prayers.

I have said a lot today and I do not want to end without making sure I am clear in what message I want to leave with you.

God lives and there is a Christ. Any teaching that denies there is a God or Christ is a false teaching. Any teaching that denies our divine nature is a false teaching. If teachings deny God, play down the importance of the Savior as the Son of God and make Him no more than a man, if our divine nature is rejected, if any of the teachings run contrary to the gospel then they are not true. We should not fret about this. Men have been teaching false doctrine since the time of Adam and Eve. It will continue until Christ returns.

We should always keep the Spirit near us. We do this through faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost. We continue our journey through obedience, magnifying our callings, study, fasting, and prayer; but I have found that the most important of all is – listening.

1 Kings chapter 19 “And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”

And finally Brothers and Sister I would like to end with Psalms 46 where the Lord says;”Be still, and know that I am God.”