Trial of Faith

Reid does a daily Book of Mormon thought for the family. Today it was from Ether 12:6

And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

Reid asked the question: What do you believe the phrase "trial of your faith" means?

To me, it means to be completely committed, sometimes to the point where you can't turn back.

I have a favorite movie clip that illustrates this leap of faith - From Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_-BOvWVycM]

It's interesting that last month's home teaching message (July 2011), by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, was about this same principle. It's titled "Brother, I'm Committed."  Here's a quote:

"Commitment is a little like diving into the water. Either you are committed or you are not. Either you are moving forward or you are standing still. There’s no halfway. We all face moments of decision that change the rest of our lives. As members of the Church, we must ask ourselves, “Will I dive in or just stand at the edge? Will I step forward or merely test the temperature of the water with my toes?”

One more scripture on this interesting topic.

In 1 Nephi ll, Nephi is on the verge of viewing a series of visions unfolding his father's prophecies and revealing all that will take place in the future. However, before this can happen, Nephi must express his unshakeable faith. Here's the conversation between Nephi and the Spirit:

1 For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot.

2 And the Spirit said unto me: Behold, what desirest thou?

3 And I said: I desire to behold the things which my father saw.

4 And the Spirit said unto me: Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken?

5 And I said: Yea, thou knowest that I believe all the words of my father.

6 And when I had spoken these words, the Spirit cried with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna to the Lord, the most high God; for he is God over all the earth, yea, even above all. And blessed art thou, Nephi, because thou believest in the Son of the most high God; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired.

I'll finish this topic with a quote Reid shared in today's message:

Elder Holland expanded upon this thought in the following quote: "Preparatory faith is formed by experiences in the past, by the know, which provides a basis for belief. But redemptive faith must often be exercises toward experiences in the future, the unknown, which provides an opportunity for the miraculous. Exacting faith, mountain-moving faith, faith like that of the brother of Jared, precedes the miracle and knowledge. He had to believe before God spoke. He had to act before the ability to complete that action was apparent. He had to commit to the complete experience in advance of even the first segment of its realization. Faith is to agree unconditionally, and in advance to whatever conditions God may require in both the near and distant future. (Christ and the New Covenant, 18-19)