“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 …” --2 Nephi 31:19
This scripture reminds me of the words of Elder Bednar in his talk “Seek Learning by Faith.” Elder Bednar highlights the three aspects of faith: (1) faith as the assurance of things hoped for, (2) faith as the evidence of things not seen that are true, and (3) faith as the principle of action. In this sense, faith has three components, one that looks to the past, one that looks to the future, and one that exists in the present.
It is the past component that perhaps interested me most. We receive evidence of things not seen as we consider the evidence from our own lives—our own past experiences. As we see how God has helped us in the past or how we received promised blessings from obeying a certain principle, our trust in God and testimony of that principle increase. In that sense, I saw the scripture in 2 Nephi 31 as an invitation to look back at my life and ponder how it is that the Word of Christ helped me to get to where I am.
Most recently, the Book of Mormon reinforced to me the importance of attending church. And it was not because of some incredible, overwhelming spiritual experience or confirmation of its truth, simply that, upon finishing it, I felt a gentle urge to continue—to press forward, and had the hope and assurance that such a path would bring me both the peace and joy I could not find otherwise.
I feel like often when faced with a question of how the Word of God has made a difference I am inclined to look at moments when I received an undeniable testimony of its truth and to say that were it not for those moments I might not be a member of his church, and from there speculate on the differences between this hypothetically terrible life, and my life now.
But the big differences come in small, daily doses. “By small and simple means are great things brought to pass.” Sometimes, it is not even the Spirit that makes the difference. I would read the Book of Mormon again even if I never felt a confirmation of truth or of peace, simply because I know that God has commanded that I read it and has promised to bless me as I do so, and so as I pick it up each morning or evening I testify to myself that I will obey.
It is a different kind of assurance. One not of the Spirit, but of my own heart and mind, committing, no matter what, to stay on the path. Even when I don't feel anything right away or answers don't come immediately, I will commit, because faith is acting before or without the confirmation. Because it is not His Word that makes us unshaken, but what we choose to do with it.
This scripture reminds me of the words of Elder Bednar in his talk “Seek Learning by Faith.” Elder Bednar highlights the three aspects of faith: (1) faith as the assurance of things hoped for, (2) faith as the evidence of things not seen that are true, and (3) faith as the principle of action. In this sense, faith has three components, one that looks to the past, one that looks to the future, and one that exists in the present.
