Faith in Perfection

Faith is everything. When sharing one's beliefs something that is often said is, "I have faith in..." or "I believe..." or "I know..." and then they add whatever they feel strongly about at that time. I know that I have faith in family, friends, the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, modern-day prophets, priesthood blessings, the Holy Ghost, and a ton of other things! But the one thing that has been pressing on my mind lately is the unparalleled importance of faith in Jesus Christ. He is the center of everything. Without Him I wouldn't have a family that is full of love. Without Him there would be no Bible or Book of Mormon. Without Him there would be no priesthood or the need to restore it to the earth. Without Christ there would be nothing of importance for the Holy Ghost to bear witness of. Christ is all that I hold dear. There is nothing or no one that even comes close to the love and reverence that I have in Him.

Jesus Christ

I have been taught these things since I was a little boy. I have always believed in Christ and I have always known that He is important. Recently, I was looking something up in the Bible Dictionary (found in the back of the LDS Edition of the King James Version of the Bible) and I came across the definition of Faith. I have always been told that faith is to believe in something even though you can't see it  but what I found in the definition shows that there is more to it than that. This definition explains faith in a way that has made me think and think and think. Here is a portion of that definition of faith:

Faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true (Hebrews 11:1; Alma 32:21), and must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation. To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone. The Lord has revealed himself and his perfect character, possessing in their fulness all the attributes of love, knowledge, justice, mercy, unchangeableness, power, and every other needful thing, so as to enable the mind of man to place confidence in him without reservation. Faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith (Romans 10:14-17) . Miracles do not produce faith but strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, faith comes by righteousness, although miracles often confirm one's faith. (See my blog: God Lives.)

Many people will say that they have faith in Christ because He suffered and died for all men and performed many miracles. While this is definitely true it is important to note that He was only able to do these things because He is perfect. He is perfect in every single way. I'll try to explain the importance of Christ being perfect by using an analogy.

Say that there is an up and coming basketball star that every professional team wants on their team. This guy is better than  Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Karl Malone, and Shaquille O'Neal all put together. He is a perfect player. He is the perfect passer, rebounder, scorer, screener, defender, team player, etc. There are a lot of great basketball players in the world. There is not a single perfect one out there. No not one. What does it mean to be perfect? Well, to be perfect (from a basketball perspective) you can't have a single turn-over, miss a single block-out, miss a single shot, screen, or defensive assignment. You also need to be perfectly humble. (Man...I want this guy on my team!) He would teach and encourage his teammates to give it all that they have and then when they fell short due to their own imperfections he would step in and give the team the push that they need and they would win every game. In a sense, he would help each individual be more exact and as a whole the team would be perfect.

LeBron James

Karl Malone: The Mailman

  
Do we really believe Christ when He said, "If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever things that is expedient in me" (Moroni 7:33). The promise that He gives in this verse is extremely powerful. He is saying that anything is possible through Him (because of His perfections).

When we are suffering heartache Christ's perfect empathy will soothe us. When we are down-trodden Christ will lift us. When we are confused Christ will speak peace to us. When we want to know the truth Christ will let us know. However, He only will do these things if we show faith. We must pray for, strive for, and hope for His influence in our lives. With Him nothing is out of reach. It is written that "his hand is stretched out still" (Isaiah 10:4). All we need to do is grab it.

The Cristus

Your Best Friend

One thing that I have gained a greater appreciation for since coming on my mission is the fact that the Savior, Jesus Christ, is my best friend. He is always there for me and He knows me perfectly. He knows me more than I know myself. When I think of my best friends...they are those who I have had the most experiences with. They are those who have stood by me when I have done what is right and who have corrected me when I have done what is wrong. Together we steamroll, lazertag, watch movies, play pool, play 2k, play basketball, get Slurpees, etc. Best friends are the best!

Besties.

Through the Atonement (Christ's suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary as well as his Resurrection on the third day) Jesus Christ knows me (and you) perfectly. He has literally experienced my life, for better and for worse. He knows exactly how I feel and He is always there for me. I know in my heart that He is always there for me. He has experienced everything that I have experienced. He knows me. He loves me. Therefore, he is my best friend. He is everyone's best friend. However, Satan wants us to feel abandoned, alone, and depressed. He tells us that God has left us and He doesn't love us. That is a lie.

His empathy is earned here in Gethsemane.

Recently, I have been drawn to a certain group of scriptures found in the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon. They are the teachings of the Prophet, Isaiah. First, my friend sent me a letter telling me that one scripture in particular stuck out to her and helped her know that Christ will never forget her. Before receiving the letter I had already been studying those chapters in the Book of Mormon. So, these groups of scriptures have been on my mind a lot lately and they give me comfort and strength. They say, "But, behold, Zion hath said; The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me - but he will show that he hath not. For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me" (1 Nephi 21:14-16). It is not a question of whether the Lord will forget us or not. It is a matter of fact that He cannot forget us. He suffers as we suffer. He rejoices as we rejoice. Our walls (lives) are always before Him. We are graven upon the palms of His hands. What comfort we receive from this knowledge!

In my darkest hours I have been uplifted by Jesus Christ. I have felt His strengthening hand through my hardest times. He has never taken away my problems. He has never intervened and stopped bad things from happening to me. He has never intervened and stopped me from doing something bad. He is not a God of control. He is a God of support. He has always helped me see my problems. He has always put others in my path to help me when bad things are happening to me. He has always given me resources (family, friends, scriptures, church, music, etc.) to help me see when I am doing something that is bad. Jesus Christ knows me and knows what I am capable of. He helps me help myself.

Adversity is something that we all will suffer. It is a part of life. Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said this, "Adversity will be a constant or occasional companion for each of us throughout our lives. We cannot avoid it. The only question is how we will react to it. Will our adversities be stumbling blocks or stepping-stones?" (Adversity - Ensign July 1998). (Please read this entire article. It is the best article I have ever read on facing adversity.) How will we handle our trials and tribulations? Will we let them tear us down or will be allow ourselves to be strengthened in the furnace of affliction (Isaiah 48:10)?

I know that as we hold fast to the teachings of the Gospel, we will have a more sure knowledge that Christ is there for us. He will be with us. "And whoso receiveth you, there will I be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88). Afterall...He knows you. He is your best friend.

Spiritual and Basketball Responsibilities

(Lyrics to "Responsibility" by the band MXPX)

Responsibility? What's that?

Responsibility? Not quite yet.

Responsibility? What's that?

I don't want to think about it; we'd be better off without it.

We are all accountable for things in this thing called life. We are accountable at work, at home, and at play. At the root of all of our accountability is our God-given agency. We are free to do whatsoever we will with what we have in our lives. We must be responsible with the agency that we have been given or else we will be throwing away this great gift. Many people take this gift for granted. Sadly, MXPX had it all wrong! We need to embrace this gift of agency and responsibility and realize that we would NOT be "better off without it". In fact...it is critical on our path to happiness!

The only thing that is truly ours in this life is our right to choose. Our possessions/riches are not our own. Not even our bodies are not our own. "Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We must recognize that what we have been given is God's and that we must use our agency to come closer to Him.

We all are naturally good at things. Some are very smart. Some are crafty. Some are artsy. Some are athletic. Some are...you catch my drift. These talents come from God. He has given all of us spiritual gifts to bless our lives and the lives of those around us. We all have our own individual roles in our lives. We need to find what that role is and then do our absolute best to magnify our responsibilities.

Here is a basketball example:

Derrick Rose

Kobe Bryant

Kevin Durant

Each team needs to have players who are good at certain aspects of the game so that the team can have success. Each team should have a starting line-up with a point guard, a shooting guard, a small forward, a power forward, and a center. Each team needs someone at each position to maximize their role and strive to do their best. There are certain players that are exceptional at doing that. As a fan of the game and the NBA I believe that the following players would be best at finding and making the most of their gifts. Point Guard: Derrick Rose. Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant. Small Forward: Kevin Durant. Power Forward: Kevin Love. Center: Dwight Howard. Sixth Man: Jimmer Fredette (the Jazz better draft him with the twelfth pick...). All of these players recognize their gifts that they have been given and they know that they are accountable for them. They all maximize their talent and (with that recognition) would make a great team. Can you imagine a team with Derrick Rose leading the offense, driving the lane and finding an open Kobe Bryant to hit a clutch jumper? Or Kevin Love throwing a deep outlet pass to a sprinting Kevin Durant for a fast-break play? Or Dwight Howard getting an offensive rebound and then throwing it down with authority for a dunk? Or Jimmer Fredette coming off of the bench and torching up the scoreboard with fancy footwork and deep, deep, deep threes? WOW! That would be great! But it would only be possible if they all came together and maximized their gifts.

Kevin Love

Dwight Howard

Jimmer Fredette

This principle is true with spiritual gifts as well. We all have special gifts and talents that are given to us by God. Moroni explains what some of these gifts are in Moroni 10:9-18. But I would like to focus on some of the more "underappreciated" gifts of the Spirit. Elder Marvin J. Ashton spoke of such gifts if the 1987 November Ensign article, "There Are Many Gifts". He said, "Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost. We must remember that to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. It is our right and responsibility to accept our gifts and to share them. God’s gifts and powers are available to all of us." I am certain that we ALL can pin-point that we have one or many of these gifts. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all recognized and magnified these gifts that we all have and work together in the service of God?

We MUST do our best to share what we have been given. Joseph F. Smith said, "Every son and every daughter of God has received some talent, and each will be held to strict account to the use or misuse to which it is put." We need to use, share, and exhibit our talents so that we can help our friends and acquaintances bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39). To do so would be to maximize our agency and responsibility. Responsibility? What's that? Well, MXPX, it is our door to immortality and eternal life.