By Faith They Obtained a Promise

In Ether 12 Moroni referred to several examples of those who have exhibited great faith. Alma and Amulek caused the prison walls to come down and they escaped unharmed (v13). Nephi and Lehi were able to convert thousands of Lamanites (v14). Ammon and his brethren were able to similarly bring about a miraculous change among the Lamanites (v15). The brother of Jared was able to move the mount Zerin (v30). Moroni also recorded how many others “wrought miracles” after their faith and belief in the Son of God (v18). All these examples are evidence that these mighty prophets and missionaries showed faith through their actions. One other example seems to be slightly different: “And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith” (v17). They did not show great faith by performing a miraculous act like Alma bringing down the prison walls or Ammon smiting the arms of the wicked Lamanites or the brother of Jared moving a mountain; rather, they showed great faith in a request of the Lord. Their faith, it seems, was evidenced by the fact that they believed the Lord could really grant their petition. They were asking for something that, as far as they knew, had never been done before: to remain on the earth for hundreds of years to preach the gospel. The fact that they were willing to desire it in their hearts shows that they indeed had the faith that He could do such a thing. Their faith was shown in the longing of their souls.

               This example that Moroni gave of these three Nephites shows, I believe, that we can exercise faith simply through our beliefs and our requests of the Lord. We can show Him through our prayers that we truly believe He is able to perform miracles in our lives. That is of course not to say that works on our part aren’t involved in showing faith—it certainly was in those other examples—but an important part of exercising faith is to truly believe in our hearts that the Lord is able to do great things for us. When the Savior spoke in this dispensation about the Nephite prophets He referred to “their faith in their prayers.” He continued, “This was their faith—that my gospel, which I gave unto them that they might preach in their days, might come unto their brethren the Lamanites, and also all that had become Lamanites because of their dissensions. Now, this is not all—their faith in their prayers was that this gospel should be made known also, if it were possible that other nations should possess this land” (Doctrine and Covenants 10:47-49). Their faith was so strong that even thousands of years later the Lord was still at work answering their prayers by taking the gospel to the Lamanite descendants. Surely this should give us hope that the Lord hears our prayers and, if they are full of faith, He will answer them. Mormon said this of these three Nephites who would not taste of death: “When the Lord seeth fit in his wisdom that they shall minister unto all the scattered tribes of Israel, and unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, and shall bring out of them unto Jesus many souls, that their desire may be fulfilled, and also because of the convincing power of God which is in them” (3 Nephi 28:29). Because their faith was so strong, God would make sure that their desire was fulfilled, though it would be according to His timing. As we exercise our faith in our prayers and seek for His blessings, surely our righteous desires will likewise find fulfillment when “the Lord seeth fit in his wisdom.”