Sunday morning session: True faith means following Savior
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Faith is not bravado, not just a wish and not just a hope, said Elder Dennis E. Simmons Sunday morning. "True faith is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ — confidence and trust in Jesus Christ that lead a person to follow Him."
Elder Simmons of the Seventy related the Old Testament account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who refused to bow down to a golden image upon threat of death. They told Nebuchadnezzar that God "will deliver us out of thy hand." But they demonstrated faith by acknowledging, "But if not . . . we will not serve thy gods."
Continuing, Elder Simmons described "but if not" as a true statement of faith. "They knew that they could trust God. Even if things didn't turn out the way they hoped. They knew that faith is more than mental assent; more than an acknowledgment that God lives; faith is total trust in Him.
"Faith is believing that although we do not understand all things, He does. Faith is knowing that although our power is limited, His is not. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him."
Elder Simmons reminded those listening that mortality is a test "administered by our Heavenly Father, who wants us to trust in Him and to allow Him to help us, (so) we can then see everything more clearly."
Further, Elder Simmons said, "Knowing all this, it was not difficult for those three young Hebrews to make their decision. They would follow God; they would exercise faith in Him — He would deliver them — But if not . . . and we know the rest of the story.
"The Lord has given us agency, the right and responsibility to decide. He tests us by allowing us to be challenged," Elder Simmons continued, explaining that "great challenges make great men."
"Men accomplish marvelous things by trusting in the Lord and keeping His commandments — by exercising faith even when they don't know how the Lord is shaping them."
Elder Simmons then related several scriptural examples of faith, including the account of Moses. "Our scriptures and our history are replete with accounts of God's great men and women who believed that He would deliver them — But if not, demonstrated that they would trust and be true.
"He has the power — but it's our test."
