My friend Christina gave a talk this Sunday about Christ. She started off talking about how she used to think that everyone had some basic knowledge of who Christ is, until she got to college. One day one of her dorm mates from China pulled her aside and asked her who was this person in all of these pictures. The pictures were of Christ. Christina was in shock that this dorm mate had no idea at all who Christ was, so they would get together and study about Christ. Her friend had compelling questions, like - why is it so important to have faith in this person...that he would accomplish what they said he would accomplish?
That question has been rattling around in my head every since I heard the talk. Really, why is it so important?
I feel like I have a pretty good idea of the purpose of my life, and what it eventually leads to. But one thing I do not fully understand is why developing faith is so important, particularly faith in Christ. I have noticed from reading the scriptures and from my life experience that faith is one of the most important things we need to develop in this life. But one doesn't need faith to learn to love, and if love is the end goal, then why do all of the angels, repeatedly testify of Christ, and work to promote faith in Christ? Why do all of the scriptures point to Christ, both the old and the new Testaments? Why does that seem to be the end goal of everything the prophets write and say?
Now you can now understand how I used to drive my mother crazy with all of my 'why' questions as a child.
I had an epiphany yesterday as I was reading an article called The Education of President Obama. The article talks a lot about the falling popularity of the president and his ability to do the things he set out to do. Having read the book Love is Eternal which is about Abraham Lincoln, it sounded familiar: the endless voices of criticism, the shallow instability of peoples' confidence and support in their president. I spent yesterday morning thinking about how important confidence and support of a people are to a President.
Isaiah refers to Christ as the 'Prince of Peace'. The Lord's Prayer refers to God's "kingdom", (Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come…). And threaded throughout the scriptures there are references to Christ coming to rule and reign. So if he is to be our king, it is important that we believe in him. He was tested during his mortality. He is now the 'tried stone' (Isaiah 28:16), someone who did actually live his life as his Father in Heaven directed and did all that the angels and prophets foretold that he would. Despite inevitable death, He still did the right thing. Based on his mortal life, we can have confidence in Him.
4 comments:
I loved Christina's talk too. I have thought about it to. It was interesting to hear your thought process.
You said: "But one doesn't need faith to learn to love, and if love is the end goal, then why do all of the angels, repeatedly testify of Christ, and work to promote faith in Christ?"
I think I might disagree with this to some degree. What would life be w/o Christ and would we really be able to love? Would the natural man have ALL power without Christ, therefore not letting us to find love? I haven't thought all of what is in my head right now, but it would be interesting to look at. I think love and the ability to love comes entirely through Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
hm...must ponder this...
i just found this...
"Why must we love the Lord? Because as we do so, we become refined, pure, and holy. When we love the Lord, the benefits of the Atonement can wash away our earthly stain. Though our sins be as scarlet, they can become white as snow (see Isaiah 1:18), and we can become new creatures, filled with new life, new thoughts, and a renewed desire to do good continually."
Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Two Guiding Lights," Ensign, Aug. 2007, 66
I fully agree with Elizabeth.
As I read your post, I thought about how faith can go so unnoticed - that we can so easily take it for granted and not know we're already using it. Just look at the person you are and your values and how thoroughly you follow through with them. Would you have even chosen them in the first place if not for faith? I doubt it.
And to parallel your Lincoln/Obama epiphany, remember when we all went camping in the dunes? And your car got stuck in the mud? And you said, "Don't worry, Shaun will find us." And then I *happened* to go out looking and found you ten minutes later? It felt pretty good to know you had such confidence in me. I bet that's a little closer to God's reaction since he doesn't really need our votes to get his bills passed.
Elizabeth, great quote. I'll have to ponder your thoughts on whether or not we would be able to love without Christ. There is a quote I am still searching for on the topic. I'll post it if I find it.
Shaun, I always love and appreciate your depth of thought. It took me a minute to figure out who Vampire Books was.
Hummm...yes, I've never really stopped to think about how faith in another person is an element of love, but it is, and it is a reciprocating thing. People who love you believe in you and trust you. And in part they love you because they can believe in you and trust you.
Well Shaun, my confidence in you was borne of experience. And one of the things Kimberly said about you when I first met you was that she would have complete confidence in you if she needed help while outdoors...or something close to that effect. I echo her sentiments.
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