Be Still

"Be still, and know that I am God." -Psalm 46:10

"Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God." -Doctrine and Covenants 101:16

Sometimes we just have to Be Still. We must stop and listen to the quiet, gentle voice of the Holy Ghost teaching us, directing us, or comforting us. (Pictures are of Reelfoot Lake here in Kentucky!)

Be Still, My Soul

"Be Still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;

With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend

Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

"Be Still my soul: Thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as he has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

"Be Still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on

When we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last."

-Katherina von Chlegel

LDS Hymns, No. 124

Faith is...

Faith is knowing the sun will rise, lighting each new day.
Faith is knowing the Lord will hear my prayers each time I pray.
Faith is like a little seed:
If planted, it will grow.
Faith is a swelling within my heart.
When I do right, I know.

Faith is knowing I lived with God before my mortal birth.
Faith is knowing I can return when my life ends on earth.
Faith is trust in God above;
In Christ, who showed the way.
Faith is strengthened; I feel it grow
Whenever I obey.

LDS Children's Songbook

Faith is the first principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To me it so complex, yet so simple. In the Book of Mormon, Faith is defined in this way: "Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore, if ye have faith, ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true."

I am constantly working on my faith. In the same chapter I just quoted, Alma challenges readers to try an experiment with faith. Plant a little "seed" of faith in your heart: a simple desire to believe. As you see the results of that, it will begin to:

• enlarge your soul 
• enlighten your understanding 
• be delicious to you (Alma 32:38.) 

As you continue to nurture your seed, it will grow into a tree that will produce good fruit. Regardless of where you are in your life, you can always increase your faith. I work towards the day when I have faith to move mountains. (See also: Jacob 4:6, Mormon 8:24)