FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT

As Jesus returned from the transcendent spiritual experience on the Mount of Transfiguration, He was approached by a desperate father whose son needed help. The father pleaded, "If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us."

Jesus replied, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."
And straightaway the father...cried out, and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief" (Mark 9:22-24) ((Taken from Kevin W. Pearson's conference address, "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, April 2009)

This passage reminds me of the lyrics to my favorite hymn, "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing."

"Prone to wander, Lord I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love..."

I don't know about you, but the father's words, "help thou my unbelief," really strike a chord with me. I have a deep and abiding testimony, but there are always times that I wonder if my faith is sufficient.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: "Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present, and the greater the measure of obedience to God's laws the greater will be the endowment of faith" (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 264).

So when I find my faith dimming, it is then that I must recommit myself to obedience of God's commandments. I must redouble my efforts, then wait patiently for God's blessings to come, knowing with a surety that they are on their way.

Elder Pearson then warned us of the 6 Destructive D's, forces that can erode our faith if we are not watchful:

doubt
discouragement
distraction
lack of diligence
disobedience
disbelief

I hope that I can be watchful, ever buiding my faith by adhering to God's law, thus placing myself in the path of His richest blessings.