A question about doing

[Seminarysnoozer]

I think there is a disconnect - there is no blessings from G-d without obedience to the law (see D&C 130:21). This requires that the law is in force (covenant) and that one is obedient.

I believe you error in thinking that only this life counts (for children and others that die before accountability) towards blessings - Alma Chapter 13 clearly points out blessings were obtained prior to mortality by "exercising" faith. Coupled with D&C 130:21 - we can understand that passive faith is not actually faith. Until one acts (does something) faith is not exercised - it is the exercise of faith that brings blessings.

The Traveler

Like I said before, I am not arguing the fact that faith without works is dead. They have to go hand in hand. Just because I am saying that Faith is the first principle doesn't take away the need to exercise faith. "Exercising" faith may be as simple as stating one's faith or enduring through trials. For example, I have a friend in our ward who had a disfiguring injury to her face and torso when she was young. She has faith that one day she could have an eternal marriage even though, despite her remaining faithful in the gospel and attending various activities and meetings, has not been successful in finding a husband. I have a belief that she will not be deprived those blessings because she has faith in the Lord and desires that blessing, even if she never does marry. After the test of faith, after the veil of this life is removed, she will have a chance to find a mate who may have been in similar circumstances but because of their faith are given the opportunity to receive the blessing despite not doing it here or any time during their probationary state.

That, in fact, is the benefit of faith, you don't have to prove it to yourself. I don't have to prove that fire would burn my skin. Belief is good enough for me. I don't have to prove that drinking alcohol is not good for me. Having faith that the word of wisdom is true, is enough for me. And, yes, I am exercising faith by my abstinence, but the point is that the lesson doesn't have to be proven by the action, I believed it strongly the moment I started to live the word of wisdom. The lesson may be solidified after the action but it was known before any action.

As Richard G. Scott said; "If you are single and haven’t identified a solid prospect for celestial marriage, live for it. Pray for it. Expect it in the timetable of the Lord. Do not compromise your standards in any way that would rule out that blessing on this or the other side of the veil. The Lord knows the intent of your heart. His prophets have stated that you will have that blessing as you consistently live to qualify for it. We do not know whether it will be on this or the other side of the veil. But live for it. Pray for it."