How to find faith

[z_o_n_e]

Hey all, I'm wondering how you came across faith. Right now, in my journey I have hope. But I have as of yet gained trust in the scripture, in God, or in Jesus. I'm just looking for some testimonies, perhaps something I can cling to myself to grow my own faith.

Just a little intro I suppose, for those of you trying to figure out how best to answer the question.

I was baptized in 2006, I fell away from the church shortly after. With that said, I have always held a special place in my heart for Mormons since that time. I just haven't learned how to trust the church. I'm currently inactive, but still very interested in become active again.

How did you all gain trust, were there any special situations that lead you to such trust? I really would like to hear your stories, I also hope one day I can have one for myself. I somehow have felt a really close connection to LDS, and despite my lack of faith I find myself closer to gaining faith through the church.

For now, I suppose being an inactive Mormon that reads scriptures and searches for truth is good enough. As I said earlier, I just like to see other people's stories.. They provide me with a bit of courage and hope.

Thanks

[skalenfehl]

Prayerfully read and ponder Alma chapter 32 in the Book of Mormon

Alma 32

[james12]

I have just been studying this topic for a talk I am going to give in church next Sunday on spiritual preparedness. I found something meaningful to me. From a talk called "Faith Like a Grain of Mustard Seed" by Elder Kim B. Clark. He discusses the fact that as we push to do accomplish things we feel are right we are at the frontier of our faith. He first quotes Elder Eyring and then explains, "...President Eyring has taught, “Increased spiritual strength is a gift from God which He can give when we push in His service to our limits.” That is where we find our personal frontier. There is a personal frontier for each one of us in every covenant, commandment, calling, and assignment we receive from the Lord. The frontier is defined by the light we have already received and by our knowledge, understanding, skill, and experience." I think this discribes how I have found faith over the years. A few frontiers for me were, being asked to read the Book of Mormon cover to cover for the first time. At the end of the book I had such an assurance that it was true. I remember being asked to speak in church for the first time. I was scared to death bu did my best. Afterwords the spirit impressed upon my mind the importance of speaking the Lords will. I remember serving a mission in a country that was uterly foriegn. I cried the first night I was there because I was so overwelmed and lost. But I grew leaps and bounds. When we push just beyond our limits, faith grows...

[z_o_n_e]

Thanks Skalenfehi and James. I've re-read Alma 32, it has been a long while since I last read it. I'm also reading the rest of the Book of Mormon, since 2006 I've read a few chapters here and there. I've made it a point to read a chapter a day now, and am finished with the better part of Helaman.

I've been approaching trying to gain faith through a little work, although not through the ward at this time. Just simple things, such as reading the BoM, praying, and a lot of self reflection. The thing that brought me down in 2006/2007 was ironically Christians on a site called Christian forums.. anyone that has posted on that site, should know what I am talking about.. severely anti mormon. I sort of threw myself in the midst of it, trying to defend the church and my faith and ended up losing it in the process.

I think for now, I will stay away from the propaganda out there regarding the church. And stick with sites such as this one and LDS.org. I appreciate your responses, thank you.

[prophetofdoom]

Strengthening faith is a lifelong process. Daily scripture reading, daily prayer, regular church attendance, will all aid in your journey. Living the commandments and repentance will also help you in strengthening your faith.

I know God lives because I have felt his Spirit. The Holy Ghost has allowed me to feel God's presence. You will know when you feel the Holy Ghost. It is a feeling of goodness, love, joy, peace etc.

[z_o_n_e]

Well, I just finished the Book of Mormon for the first time. I really loved the book of Moroni, it explained a lot of what I had experienced in the Ward. It also touched on faith, which helped a lot.

I remain hopeful, and plan to keep with it. My problem area is doubt, but that comes from my own pride and unease of just letting go and letting the spirit guide me. But, here I do have faith that I can over come this obstacle, with a little practice.

I still remember the first time the missionaries had me read Moroni 10:4, and I did pray as according to the verse. The sensation of love and peace was overwhelming. That memory, along with wanting to be a better person brought me back to investigating the scripture further.

It would be great to go back to the Ward on Sunday, but I don't think I am quite ready yet. I want a real testimony before I go back. Otherwise, I feel out of place when talking to other members. That, and I don't have any nice clothes :)

I want to thank you all for your support, it helped a lot. As did browsing the forums, and reading a bit here and there. I've got further to go yet, but I feel much closer to having a testimony than I have for years. So, now do you think would be a good time to read the Doctrine and Covenants? I've been wondering if perhaps I should skip ahead to the POGP.

[HiJolly]

Well, I just finished the Book of Mormon for the first time. I really loved the book of Moroni, it explained a lot of what I had experienced in the Ward. It also touched on faith, which helped a lot.

I remain hopeful, and plan to keep with it. My problem area is doubt, but that comes from my own pride and unease of just letting go and letting the spirit guide me. But, here I do have faith that I can over come this obstacle, with a little practice.

I still remember the first time the missionaries had me read Moroni 10:4, and I did pray as according to the verse. The sensation of love and peace was overwhelming. That memory, along with wanting to be a better person brought me back to investigating the scripture further.

It would be great to go back to the Ward on Sunday, but I don't think I am quite ready yet. I want a real testimony before I go back. Otherwise, I feel out of place when talking to other members. That, and I don't have any nice clothes :)

I want to thank you all for your support, it helped a lot. As did browsing the forums, and reading a bit here and there. I've got further to go yet, but I feel much closer to having a testimony than I have for years. So, now do you think would be a good time to read the Doctrine and Covenants? I've been wondering if perhaps I should skip ahead to the POGP.

Doubt literal means being unsure in choosing between two options. It is not necessarily "bad", but it can be. Here are some quotes I really like concerning doubt:

The downside:

Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might

win by fearing to attempt.

-- William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure, Act 1

The upside:

"To refuse to doubt, think about or question what you are told

is to miss an opportunity to talk to God"

-- Father Leo Booth

The annoying truth:

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and

the intelligent are full of doubt."

-- Bertrand Russell

The uplifting truth:

"Living with ambiguity is a form of intellectual honesty, of

humility. It is only when we admit that we don't know that we

are receptive to what lessons may be taught. In some strange

way, it also brings an inner peace since we are no longer

fighting reality to maintain our inner fantasies on how things

should be. While I am characterizing it as an intellectual

process, it also has spiritual implications, since only an open

mind is capable of hearing God."

-- Andy Piereder (on Eyring-L)

...as for where to read next, I agree that the PoGP would be a great next place to go.

HiJolly