What does it mean to have persistent faith? And how do we persist in faith?
Song from the LDS Hymn Book
1. Press forward, Saints, with steadfast faith in Christ,
With hope's bright flame alight in heart and mind,
With love of God, and love of all mankind.
2. Press forward, feasting on the word of Christ.
Receive his name, rejoicing in his might.
Come unto God; find everlasting light.
3. Press on, enduring in the ways of Christ.
His love proclaim thru days of mortal strife.
Thus saith our God: "Ye have eternal life!"
(Chorus)
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Persistence: Continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition
Faith: The assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen
"If there is any one thing you and I need in this world it is faith, that dynamic, powerful, marvelous element by which, as Paul declared, the very worlds were framed....faith - the kind of faith that moves one to get on his knees and plead with the Lord and then get on his feet and go to work - is an asset beyond compare, even in the acquisition of secular knowledge." -Gordon B. Hinckley
Having faith in Christ includes having a firm belief that He is the Only Begotten Son of God and the Savior and Redeemer of the world. When we have faith in Christ, we accept and apply His atonement and teachings. We trust Him and what He says. We know that He has the power to keep His promises. Heavenly Father blesses those who have faith to obey His son. Faith in Christ leads to action. Having faith causes us to try as hard as we can to learn about and become more like our Savior. It leads to sincere and lasting repentance.
An example from the Bible - Daniel: a prophet of God and a man of great faith
Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunichs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunichs. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunichs had set over Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked at before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his followers to be slain. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven. Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation. Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation. Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.
That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou has signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God, whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hat shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
- Through Daniels faith, Nebuchadnezzar gained a witness of Gods works, and gained faith in our Heavenly Father, for himself
Our faith in Christ and our love for Him will lead us to repent, or to change our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are not in harmony with His will. As we repent, our view of ourselves and the world changes. As we change, we recognize that we are children of God. Sincere repentance brings several results. We feel God's forgiveness and His peace in our lives. We feel the influence of the Spirit in greater abundance.
An example from the Book of Mormon - Alma the younger: The first chief judge and prophet in the Nephite Nation
And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever.
I was struck with such great fear and amazement lest perhaps I should be destroyed, that I fell on the earth and I did hear no more. Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God, and that I had not kept his holy commandments. And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding was my pain! Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.
Faith in Jesus Christ and repentance prepare us for the ordinances of baptism an confirmation. Through the ordinance of baptism we covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. As we keep our part of the covenant, God promises the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, a remission of our sins, and being born again.
Jesus taught that we must be baptized of water and also of the Spirit. Baptism by water must be followed by baptism of the Spirit or it is incomplete. Only when we receive baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost can we receive a remission of our sins and become completely spiritually reborn. The Holy Ghost testifies of Christ and helps us recognize the truth. He provides spiritual strength. He comforts us during times of trial or sorrow. The Gift of the Holy Ghost is one of our Heavenly Father's most precious gifts. The gift is a foretaste of eternal joy and a promise of eternal life.
An example from the Bible - Jesus Christ: The Son of God, our older brother, and ultimate example
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Once we have entered the strait and narrow path by our faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, we must exert every effort to stay on the path. As we patiently, faithfully, and consistently follow this path throughout our lives, we will qualify for eternal life. Our actions in daily life are shaped and governed by these principles. Eventually, as we follow this way and "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ....and endure to the end," we are promised, "Ye shall have eternal life."
A latter-day example - Joseph Smith: The prophet called of God to restore the true church of Jesus Christ to the earth
Joseph Smith's determination and perseverance is a good example of enduring to the end. After reading James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him," Joseph knew that he must do as James directed or remain in darkness and confusion. From the moment, he knelt in prayer, he encountered enormous obstacles and opposition. First, and evil, unseen power seized him. Then, he wrote, "Just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun..
"It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me....one of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other-'This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!'" (JS-H 1:16-17).
This marvelous event, near the start of the Prophet's mortal ministry, proved to be a pattern in his life. He suffered ridicule, violent attack by his enemies, betrayal by close associates whom he had trusted, forcible separation from his loved ones, trial and imprisonment on false charges, and, finally, martyrdom at the hands of a mob. Yet he remained true to the charge he had received and served faithfully in his calling as the Prophet to usher in the dispensation of the fullness of times. In addition to seeing our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, he received instruction and counsel from angles and other heavenly beings throughout his life.
Conclusion:
And now, my beloved brethren, I know by t his that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved. Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have see that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; Yea, yea have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witness of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive. And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.
From all of these stories, definitions and examples, I know that if we are to ever return home to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, we must live His gospel. We must persist in faith. For as Nephi said, we aren't done once we have exercised faith. We must keep going. We must move on. We must be even as Jesus Christ. We must never give up. We have to show God, through our actions, that we truly want to live with Him again. Yes, it is hard work, and something that takes a lifetime, but it is worth every second. It will bless us, and our families for ETERNITY! I know that as we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Endure to the End), we will be saved and receive our place in the kingdom of God. I know that our Savior lives and loves each and every one of us. I know that the Gospel is true and it blesses and changes lives. I am so grateful for all that our Savior has done. I am grateful that He so willingly sacrificed His life, to give us ours. I know that He expects great things of us, and it can be hard, but the benefits and blessings are far greater. I leave this with you, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
