Faith and Weakness www.kevinhinckley.com

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Faith Seeing Seeing Believing And it came to pass that Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe, because they saw them not. For it was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers, after he had risen from the dead; and he showed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him… But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen. Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith. World’s Definition: Seeing Believing (Faith) Results in: Lord’s Definition: Believing Seeing Results in:

Question: So, what must we do to “have faith”?

Faith More Light and Knowledge More Light and Obedience Knowledge

President Harold B. Lee The true Church is intended not only to comfort the afflicted- but to afflict the comfortable.

Ether 12:27 Layer 1: Our own individual weaknesses Layer 2: Humanity’s “weakness” (fallen state) And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. Question: What weakness will He will show us?

President Kimball I saw Humility once when she was baptized in a simple white gown-no ornaments nor makeup, no ostentation or show; yet she and her husband were immensely wealthy. No special favors did she ask. She was immersed, though clothing would be clinging, her hair would be stringing, willing to acknowledge her need for the gospel, the Lord, and his people… I saw Humility receive the Aaronic Priesthood, though he was a businessman of much affluence-tall, handsome, successful, prominent. He walked with the deacons-the twelve year olds-to pass the sacrament and radiant in his new opportunity, realizing that "not where we serve, but how we serve" is the true test of greatness. I saw him later in the temple in white. I saw Humility singing in the choir. She sang in many great productions, but now in the ward choir, grateful for the opportunity. I heard her sweet testimony after the administration when she was miraculously healed. A new light was in her eyes as she gave thanks to her Lord for her recovery… BYU Devotional, Jan 1963

Charity 34 And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father. 35 Wherefore, I know by this thing which thou hast said, that if the Gentiles have not charity, because of our weakness, that thou wilt prove them…

Charity Faith Light and Knowledge Light and Knowledge Obedience

Elder Maxwell Moroni, indicated that God will both show us our weaknesses and give unto us certain weaknesses in order to help us be humble and to accelerate our growth. Given these realities, it would be unwise and unfair for us to overreact to the weaknesses of others, especially as an excuse for not overcoming our own.

Moroni’s Plea Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.