The Courage of Abinadi.

Hello everyone! Brothers and sisters! Children of God! :) I have been reading in the Book of Mormon. I am trying to finish it before this new year of Seminary being the Book of Mormon. As I am nearing the midpoint, I have learned so much! I'm getting into Alma pretty soon and that brought me to the story of Abinadi. He is a true hero. Everyone was against him. Yet he had a strong enough faith to not deny his testimony when he was facing death. It makes me question...Do I have enough faith right now, that if I was sentenced to death for blogging about the Church, would I take all of it back? Or, would I be like Abinadi and stand for what is right and true? Ask yourself this question. What is your answer? If no, what can you do to strengthen your faith?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently gave a talk in General Conference titled, "Lord, I Believe" I strongly encourage those who feel that their faith is lacking, to re watch or read this talk. It is so awesome. He knows what he says is true. I'll pull a few quotes from his talk, that I found interesting. 

"In moments of fear or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already won, even if that ground is limited."

"Hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes."

"The size of your faith or the degree of your knowledge is not the issue—it is the integrity you demonstrate toward the faith you do have and the truth you already know."

"I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have. Sometimes we act as if an honest declaration of doubt is a higher manifestation of moral courage than is an honest declaration of faith. It is not!"

My stake president shared something with the missionary academy that I really enjoyed. It was a quote from Richard G. Scott, a talk he gave in 2003. It reads, "Faith will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. That is when it is used. Character is woven patiently from threads of principle, doctrine, and obedience. In James we read: “The trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” ⁶ The bedrock of character is integrity. Worthy character will strengthen your capacity to obediently respond to the direction of the Spirit. Righteous character is what you are becoming. It is more important than what you own, what you have learned, or what goals you have accomplished. It allows you to be trusted. Righteous character provides the foundation of spiritual strength. It enables you in times of trial and testing to make difficult, extremely important decisions correctly even when they seem overpowering. I testify that neither Satan nor any other power can weaken or destroy your growing character. Only you could do that through disobedience. 

No matter what occurs, no matter how topsy-turvy the world becomes, you can always have the sustaining power of faith. That will never change. The perfect love of your Father in Heaven will never change. His gospel plan gives life meaning and can assure your happiness. His plan is not only to prove yourself here on earth but also that you may receive the growth that comes from correct decisions prompted by faith, enabled by your obedience." 

 

I know that if we have a strong faith in Jesus Christ, our trials will become easier through our Redeemer. If we are continuous in strengthening our faith, we will have the strength and courage that Abinadi had.  I know that our trials on this Earth are but a moment compared to the eternal happiness that we will feel when we are with our families and our loving Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother.  I know that if we listen to the counsel of our Latter Day Prophet here on the Earth today, we will be blessed and be strengthened. And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.