The Book of Mormon Message to Trust in the Lord

A famous passage from Proverbs states, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).  This is a principle that the Book of Mormon affirms—the best way to face our challenges is through an active trust in God.  For example, King Limhi told his people in their time of distress, “Therefore, lift up your heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in God, in that God who was the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob….  Turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage” (Mosiah 7:19, 33).  In numerous stories and teachings the Book of Mormon affirms this principle: the best way to make it through our challenges and difficulties is by trusting in the Lord.

               The prophet Mormon summarized this principle in these words: “Yea, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him” (Helaman 12:1).  Jacob told of how his people “did fortify against [the Lamanites] with their arms, and with all their might, trusting in the God and rock of their salvation; wherefore, they became as yet, conquerors of their enemies” (Jacob 7:25).  Helaman had that same faith when he led the stripling warriors in war: “But, behold, it mattereth not—we trust God will deliver us, notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies” (Alma 58:37).  Even though he faced numerous disadvantages in the face of an innumerable enemy, he chose to focus on putting his trust in God as the key to success.  And it was their trust in the Lord that saved them from the hands of their enemies: “Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually” (Alma 57:27).  Helaman had been prepared by his father to have this trust in the Lord, for Alma had taught him, “And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 36:3).  King Benjamin similarly taught his people that eternal life comes through trusting in the Lord: “Salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life” (Mosiah 4:6).  The world teaches us to “trust in the arm of flesh,” but the Book of Mormon declares that the best way to make it through our challenges is always to put our trust in God as we hold fast to His promises (2 Nephi 4:34).  The book affirms over and over that the Lord works “with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him” (Mosiah 29:20).