Faith and Promises

              

              Faith is a principle of empowerment that dictates actions and outcomes, is an agent of change, and governs beliefs. The world at large describes faith as a belief that isn’t based on evidence. Faith is only faith when it is based on something that is true. Otherwise, it is a whimsical belief and lacks substance.

               My Grandpa, Francis Everett Broadbent, passed away September 29^th, 2014. I had originally planned to talk about what a great man my Grandpa is and why he is my hero, but I will honor his selfless nature by saying this: he loved his God, and his family. He was a godly man that taught me what enduring love is, and what enduring to the end really means. His passing was not a sorrowful event, though I do miss him, because he is with his dear sweetheart. Though we laid his body to rest, Grandpa lives. I know he lives because my Savior lives.

My grandparents were sealed in the temple of God for time and all eternity. My parents were sealed in the temple as well. My own sweetheart and I were sealed about a month and a half ago. Because of those sacred ordinances I will see Grandpa, again. That is my faith. It is true. The restored priesthood keys and ordinances enable family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave, and give us a glimpse as to what our Father plans for His children. My faith in this eternal plan of salvation was tested as I said goodbye to Grandpa, but it never wavered and has provided me with immense comfort. To any who might be struggling with the loss of a loved one, I testify of a God of power and mercy that has provided a way for us to return to Him.  

The Fishing Wasn’t Very Good

          

            One general conference address that has really resonated with me has been one that was given by Jeffrey R. Holland in October 2012. The First Great Commandment It was beautiful. And it has been something of a theme of my life. First, the back-story: the 10 remaining apostles have just witnessed the crucifixion, ascension, and subsequent return of the resurrected Christ. The Savior had left again and the apostles were at something of a loss. What now? The last three years had been a life changing experience with miracles being by the Master’s hand, so what else is there? From convert to apostle, their journey had been one of progression and persecution interspersed with some of the most glorious teachings imaginable. But what is supposed to follow? In essence they had served their mission and had given their homecoming talk, so to speak. A job well done and enough spiritual experiences to share stories in sacrament meeting and elder’s quorum for the rest of their lives. Time to get back to the life that they knew and were comfortable with. It was time to go fishing.

With that statement 6 other apostles joined with him and headed to the ship. Well that night the fishing wasn’t very good. In fact it was awful. Not a single solitary fish. Now that has got to be depressing for a lifelong fisherman who has returned to his previous endeavors only to have nothing to show for it. The night was long and in the rays of the morning sun they noticed a man on the shore who spoke to them. This man instructed the apostles to cast the net on the other side of the boat whereupon they caught so many fish that they could not pull it in.

Now, to those who are familiar with this story I am sure you can appreciate the miracle that transpired, but I don’t think that the fish in the net were the miracle, but the heart that was changed. Peter had an exchange with the Son of God that I would suggest is the turning point in the life of this apostle. I would encourage any who reads this to read John 21 to study the account for yourself. Christ asks if Peter loves Him, to which Peter gives the affirmative. Of course he loves the Savior. Who doesn’t? Who wouldn’t say within themselves at this moment that they love God? Well read on. The question was repeated three times and the response was given. I think Peter’s thoughts might be something along these lines; Why is He asking me the exact same question? Am I not understanding what is being asked? Is He not satisfied with my response?

I think that the sermon that was taught by the Savior is short, simple, and of eternal significance. God doesn't need fish, fisherman, or well-meaning saints. He wants YOU. All of you. Your whole heart, might, mind and strength. He wants you to stop fishing and start to feed His lambs. Please do not misunderstand, we have other obligations such as employment and the duties of life but I am firm in my belief that nothing should ever come before God. If we chose to put anything before God then I think that our fishing won’t be very good. Be that good activities, or bad. If we want to show God that we truly love Him and are not just Sunday saints then we need to stop talking about what good things that we have done and do something, today.

I had an elder’s quorum president that requested that we not share “mission stories” in our lessons and discussions but share things that we have experienced and done since we returned home. He wasn't discrediting our mission experiences by this inspired request. He had served and loved his mission, but realized that we rely on the past spiritual experiences. If you feel inclined to share selfless deeds of years past, ask yourself how comfortable you might feel if the Son of God looked into your eyes and asked you now, right now, “Do you love me?” I pray with my whole soul that I will be able to answer him honestly, “Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. I fed your sheep."