In Doctrine and Covenants 19:23, the Lord gives counsel on exercising faith in Him: "Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me."

Perhaps one of the greatest examples in Church history of exercising faith in meekness was Hyrum Smith, the brother of Joseph Smith and patriarch to the Church. During the October 1995 general conference, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke of Hyrum, of whom he is a direct descendent. Elder Ballard described the scene when the young Joseph shared with his family the experience he had in the Sacred Grove.

"In contrast to the reaction of Laman and Lemuel to their younger brother Nephi's divine calling and to the jealousy of the older brothers of Joseph who was sold into Egypt, there was no jealousy or animosity in Hyrum Smith. Instead, real faith was born in him of the simple and joyful response he felt to the spiritual truth of his brother's message. The Lord let him know in his heart what was right, and he followed Joseph — faithfully — for the rest of his life.

" 'I, the Lord, love [Hyrum],' the Savior revealed in section 124 of the Doctrine and Covenants, 'because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right before me.' (v. 15.)

"Faithful Hyrum had a believing heart; he did not have to see everything Joseph saw. For him, hearing the truth from Joseph's lips and feeling the spiritual promptings whispering that it was true were enough. Faith to believe was the source of Hyrum's spiritual strength and is the source of the spiritual strength of faithful members of the Church then and today.

"We do not need more members who question every detail; we need members who have felt with their hearts, who live close to the Spirit, and who follow its promptings joyfully. We need seeking hearts and minds that welcome gospel truths without argument or complaint and without requiring miraculous manifestation. Oh, how we are blessed when members respond joyfully to counsel from their bishops, stake presidents, quorum or auxiliary leaders, some of whom might be younger than they and less experienced. What great blessings we receive when we follow 'that which is right' joyfully and not grudgingly.

"As I travel throughout the Church, I see members being tried in the crucible of affliction. I see members suffering from debilitating health concerns. I see husbands, wives and parents living in trying circumstances they cannot change regarding their spouses or their children. Every one of us is faced at times with unpleasant situations, adversity and affliction that we cannot change. Many circumstances can only be addressed with time, tears, prayer and faith."