So I was reading in the Book of Mormon, in Helaman. Samuel the Lamanite just finished prophesying of Christ birth, death and Resurrection! Really he taught the plan of happiness. I strongly suggest to read those chapters. In fact I encourage you to read the Book of Mormon! Well I was reading Helamen 16:13-18. A few years have passed when Samuel taught the Nephites, and a ton of miracles were fullfilled! Here's what it says:
But it came to pass in the nineteinthyear of the reign of the judges, there were great signs given unto the people, and wonders; and the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled. And angels did appear unto men, wise ment, and did declare unto them glad tidings of gret joy; thus in this year the scriptures began to be fulfilled. Nevertheless, the people began to harden there hearts, all save it were the most believing part of them, both of the Nephites and also of the Lamanites, and began to depend upon their own strength and upon their own wisdom, saying: Somethings they may have guessed right, among so many; but behold, we know that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken. And they began to reason and to contend among themselves saying: That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come ; if so, and he be the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, as it has been spoken, why will he not show himself unto us as well as unto them who shall be at Jerusalem?"
Wow...they didn't even believe that Jesus was the Son of God. They let their faith down so low, that they couldn't even want to believe! Even with all the signs and miracles given, they would not believe. I find this a lot out here. People will not believe anything unless it was shown to them. They expect that when they see, their faith will grow. Not so. In Ether 12:6, it says:
"And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerneing these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye recieve no witness until after the trial of your faith."
Thus we need to excercise faith in order to believe the miracle. As the story continues, the Sign of the birth of Christ was given. Everyone saw it! The righteous, and the wicked. Everyone believed! Everyone KNEW! Seems to contradict what I just said huh? lets go to Helamen 2:1, not even three years since the sign was given:
"And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year also, and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen-"
Again, wow. Not three years had passed when they saw the sign of the birth of Christ, and they did not believe in it anymore. How sad...In fact, they still kept on seeing signs and "wonders" but they still fell away! what happened? They did not nourish their faith or testimony. If they had kept their faith that they had started, it would have been a total diffrent outcome. I'm sure that if they kept on going to church, praying to our Father, reading the scriptures, and keeping the commandments! That builds faith. As we do these things we SEE these things bless us! We see the blessings in our lives! I know that these things are true! I have seen how the Book of Mormon has blessed my life! I found my answer, and my answer was in a form of a blessing! When we have faith, it's not a one time deal. It is a thing that if you don't use it, you lose it. Then you have to go back and fight to get it back. It's a lot harder of a fight to get it back than to keep it. Think of it as a battlefield. Satan is trying to make you fall, or defeat you. When you have a testimony, or faith, you are like on top of a hill. A strategic postion. When we lose our faith, we lose that strategic point! Then we have to fight to get back up there. I know that if we keep on excersicing faith in Christ, we will be supported in our trials and also taht he will bless us in things that we didn't even think about! So please, keep your faith, keep up that fight with the forces of Satan, he is real and he hates you. I know that Jesus Christ loves us, and we draw closer to him by excercising faith, repenting, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, and obeying his commandments. He loves you, don't forget that. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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