48 By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled

 

By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled

By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled

Book of Mormon Videos https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/videos-and-images/book-of-mormon-videos?lang=eng 

Ether 12:5 “…Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe, because they saw them not.”

Can I be more believing even without seeing? If I were to lose my physical sight would I stop believing in the physical world that I know? Or would I learn to experience it with different senses and continue to learn new things?

Even though there is a veil of forgetfulness in this life, I have experienced too much of the spiritual world; and I have the sweet assurances from the Spirit of my connection to heaven and my relationship to my Father and my Savior, to discount the peace and joy and happiness I feel in the inheritance that awaits me, to throw it all away because I cannot see it now with my physical eyes. We need to remember that often believing is seeing.

Ether 13:2 He told them all things from the beginning.

It’s interesting that we can never arrive at truth, if we are set on not learning about the past or the prophecies of the future.

Ether 13:4 Ether saw the coming of Jesus Christ, and He saw the New Jerusalem.

What could I see myself if I were more believing?

Ether 12:4 I also have hope in this better world, and I love this verse:

“Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.”

Vs 5 again. They rejected it all because they couldn’t see it!

How is your faith? Are you willing to trust in the promises of your Heavenly Father? Are you willing to trust the memory of the times you’ve felt the Spirit and the pull and desire for heavenly things? If I have faith in Jesus Christ, then it must follow that I have trust in His words throughout the scriptures and as spoken by modern day prophets. This faith and trust should compel me to do what I’m asked, and to even seek further direction from my Father for my individual guidance. He knows His plan for me better than I do. The prophets have all had faith to teach God’s words. Do I have faith enough to listen, seek understand, learn, and follow?

Ether 12:23–27 Moroni had concerns about his weakness in writing, but he still wrote the Lord’s message to us. Do we have faith to do those things the Lord asks us to do? Do we recognize the promptings of the Spirit? Do we have a desire for this connection with our Heavenly Father and heavenly home? It’s all important!

Ether 12:4 Do I have the kind of faith that is steadfast?

“Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.”

Ether 12:3 “…by faith all things are fulfilled—“

Faith in Jesus Christ can lead to miracles.
Ether 12

Ether 12:5–6 The evidence I should seek is the peace of the Spirit, increased faith, and hope to do what the Lord would have me do.

What is faith? What does it mean to exercise faith? What are the fruits of faith in Jesus Christ? You could also record your thoughts about witnesses you have gained “after the trial of your faith”.

Faith is doing what you believe and most assuredly know is true. It’s doing what’s right, even when you have some doubts.

Vs 6 “I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.”

Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains

For kids:

Faith is believing in things I cannot see.
Ether 12:6–22

Repeat phrase from Ether 12:6 together: “Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen.”

Read Ether 12:13–15, 19–21 and look at corresponding pictures: nos. 78, 85, and this week’s activity page

• What did these people hope for? Alma and Amulek wanting to bring people to Jesus Christ through faith and repentance (then baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost).
• How was their faith tested? Many of their converts were burned, and they were thrown into prison.
• What happened because of their faith? The were released from prison by the power of God. There was an earthquake that destroyed everyone in the walls of the prison, but Alma and Amulek came out unharmed. They gained some choice disciples and missionaries, including Zeezrom.

• What did these people hope for? Nephi and Lehi wanted to convert the Lamanites.
• How was their faith tested?
• What happened because of their faith? Many among the Lamanites were baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost.

 

• What did these people hope for? Ammon wanted to teach the Lamanites the gospel
• How was their faith tested? The king’s flocks were scattered. The king’s father wanted to kill Ammon.
• What happened because of their faith? Ammon was able to defend the king’s flocks and save his servants. Ammon gained many converts among Limhi’s people and also his father and many of the Lamanite people.

• What did these people hope for? The brother of Jared wanted to bring His people safely across the waters to the promised land.
• How was their faith tested? There was no air or light in the vessels.
• What happened because of their faith? The Lord heard the brother of Jared’s prayer, and the brother saw the finger of the Lord touching the stones; then the Lord showed Himself to this brother and also showed him all things to the end of the earth.

Do you have a story of faith that you’d like to share?

For kids:

Hope is like an anchor to my soul.
Ether 12:4, 32

Show the children a picture of a boat and an anchor and explain what an anchor does.

Why do boats need anchors? What would happen to boats if they didn’t have anchors?

Read Ether 12:4 “Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.”

How is our hope like an anchor?

Hope

Read Ether 12:4, 32

Why is it important to have hope? What should we hope for?

Read Moroni 7:40–42

Let the class members describe what hope means to them.

How does the gospel of Jesus Christ bring you hope?

Jesus Christ gives us “a more excellent hope.”
Ether 12:1–9, 28, 32

Ether 12 teaches us much about faith and also about hope.

Ether 12:2–5 How does both accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ and preaching His gospel bring you hope? How does your faith in Jesus Christ and your hope in our Father’s promises help you stay afloat and cope?

Ether 12:4 “Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.”

An anchor keeps a boat from drifting off. Faith in Jesus Christ and the hope of His salvation can keep us focused on Him and allow us to stay grounded in Him.

We should hope for a better world of promise. What does that mean? Do you think that our hope and our faith in Jesus Christ should propel us to make our current world better too?

Moroni 7:41 Hoping for that better land of promise actually means hoping to be raised to eternal life through the atonement of Jesus Christ and faith in Him.

Ether 12:32 Holding on to the promises of receiving an inheritance in the kingdom of our Father should certainly provide us with a more excellent hope.

What does it mean to have a more excellent hope? Don’t you think that some of our hopes are whimsical or fleeting, or lack understanding or direction? Faith in Jesus Christ and trust in the message and atonement He’s given for us certainly is a more excellent hope.

Moroni 7:40–41 Hope is a desire. We can’t attain to faith without hope. When we have even a desire to believe, like Alma taught, we can let that desire, that hope that it’s true, work in us and give place in us for faith to grow, and from there both testimony and conversion; which will certainly increase both of faith and our hope.

40 And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?

41 And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.

A Perfect Brightness of Hope

For kids:

Jesus Christ can help me become spiritually strong.
Ether 12:23–29

Think about sometimes you’ve felt weak.

Read Ether 12:23–25. How did Moroni feel weak? Moroni had a fear that we would mock him because he wasn’t a great writer. He knew Heavenly Father’s messages were important and he thought he might not do a good enough job. It was difficult to engrave the letters onto the plates. It was a lot of work. He also worried that the words might not translate well.

Have you ever felt like maybe you can’t do a good enough job, just like Moroni felt?

Read verses 26–27. How did the Lord help Moroni? He reminded Moroni that only fools would mock. There would be others who were humble and would believe his words. He told Moroni that because of His grace the humble wouldn’t be critical of Moroni’s delivery, but would be thankful for the message.

The Lord told Moroni that it is important for us to have weaknesses, so that we are humble; and if we are humble and ask Heavenly Father for help, in the name of Jesus Christ; and then if we are faithful and keep working and keeping the commandments, the Lord will turn our weaknesses into strengths.

You can draw a picture of something weak and something strong.

I first thought about David and Goliath. Who do you think was stronger? How did David’s faith help me accomplish the task of saving the whole army of Israel?

Look again at Ether 12:23–29 to find how Jesus can turn our weaknesses into strengths.

Think about a weakness that is troubling you, and determine to ask Heavenly Father to bless you to become strong. Through the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can find forgiveness and help to face our challenges.

When has Jesus helped you to be strong enough to do something difficult?

Jesus Christ can turn my weakness into strength.
Ether 12:23–29

Ether 12:23–25 I am so thankful for the powerful testimony and teaching that Moroni has provided for me in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. But Moroni had been so worried that he wasn’t a good writer and would have trouble conveying the message so that we would receive it by the power of the Holy Ghost.

It is interesting though, that by Moroni 10, his confidence was so much greater as he promised to us that we could know the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon by the power of the Holy Ghost; and that by the power of the Holy Ghost, we can know the truth of all things. Wow.

I think we have all felt weak and humbled by new callings, jobs, assignments and responsibilities. Uncharted courses in our life require faith, hope, determination, and perseverance. When we take our weaknesses before the Lord, He can be our strength and help us do the things we need to do; and to become good at doing them.

We shouldn’t fear trying because of a concern that others will mock. There will always those that mock; but, there will also always be those that appreciate, believe, offer support, and validate.

When have you experienced the Lord’s help in overcoming a weakness and becoming stronger? How has that experience helped you understand and serve others better? How has your confidence in the Lord and in yourself grown as a result?

Be honest about a weakness you are struggling with currently. What do you need to do to  receive the Lord’s promise that He will make weak things become strong unto you?

At this point I paused and continued my study with ChatGPT, to generate both a talk and a lesson. It is including in my AI folder and blog.

How did these people gain strength through faith in Jesus Christ?

• Enoch (Moses 6:31–34; 7:13) Enoch considered himself to just be a boy and to not know how to fulfill his calling. The Lord assured him that he would be with him and justify the things that he said and did in His name. Their city became so great that all their enemies were afraid of them. This will happen again as the Saints build up Zion. The whole City of Enoch was translated.
• Moses (Exodus 4:10–12; 14:31) Moses wasn’t good at speaking; but, the Lord reminded him that He was the creator and could help him in any inadequacy. Vs 12 “Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” Israel saw what the Lord did for them in Egypt. They believed the Lord and his prophet. 
• Gideon (Judges 6:12–16; 8:22–23) Gideon felt defeated, but the Lord assured him that He’d be with him so that he could save Israel from the Midianites. The Lord assured Gideon that He’d be with him. The people wanted Gideon and his sons to rule over them; but, he refused and said the Lord would rule over the people.
• Peter (Luke 5:8–10; 22:55–62; Acts 4:13–21) Peter felt like he was a sinful man and not worthy of the Lord blessing Him, but Jesus called him to follow Him to make him a fisher of men. After Jesus Christ’s death Peter denied knowing Jesus. After Christ’s resurrection, Peter no longer feared the people. He performed miracles in Jesus’s name and spoke in His name and invited all to come follow Jesus.
• Moroni (Ether 12:23–29) I’ve written about this earlier. Moroni thought people would mock his words. They were difficult to write and he worried about the translation. God truly did make weak things become strong to Moroni. His closing testimony of the Lord and the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon, and His invitation and exhortations to us are powerful.
• Joseph Smith (Joseph Smith—History 1:28; Doctrine and Covenants 35:17; 135:3) Joseph recounts the silly mistakes of a normal youth. The Lord proclaims that he sent Joseph forth to declare His gospel, and that He’s blessed him in his weakness. Joseph accomplished the mission the Lord gave him. Because the gospel is restored, Joseph helped open the door to the salvation that Jesus has for all who have faith in Him. He sealed his testimony with his life.

Grace

The Lord Is My Light

Rejecting the Lord’s prophets puts me in spiritual danger.
Ether 13:13–22; 14–15

Like many Jaredite kings, Coriantumr’s life was in danger.

Ether 13:15–16 Many might men sought to destroy him.

Ether 13:15–22 Although Coriantumr studied and prepared his people for warfare, he didn’t repent of his sins or encourage his people to turn to the Lord. The Lord warned Coriantumr through the prophet Ether that he needed to repent or all his people would be destroyed. He’d live to see that happen and then die himself.

Why is it important for us to follow the prophet? What do we jeopardize by ignoring prophets?

Ether 15:19 We need to make sure that we don’t provoke the Spirit of the Lord to quit striving for us. Remember He is in relentless pursuit of you. Are you in relentless pursuit of the Lord?

Why is following the prophet important to you personally?

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/ether/12?lang=eng

The prophet Ether exhorts the people to believe in God—Moroni recounts the wonders and marvels done by faith—Faith enabled the brother of Jared to see Christ—The Lord gives men weakness that they may be humble—The brother of Jared moved Mount Zerin by faith—Faith, hope, and charity are essential to salvation—Moroni saw Jesus face to face.

Vs 2-3 Are there times that you cannot be restrained because of the Spirit of the Lord which is in you? Are you bold enough to stand for the right when it is necessary and God asks you to do so? Are you doing what you need to do daily to care for and minister to people and to testify of Jesus Christ?

Vs 4 Hope for a better future and a better world comes from faith in Jesus Christ and the promises He has extended to those who love Him and keep His commandments.

Vs 5 We can learn so much from the words of Ether, but the people back than didn't regard his sayings. Ultimately, he had to hide from them for his own safety.

Vs 6-11 Study these verses more. Faith is real. It is felt. It is a gift of hope born of the Spirit that they things that are sacred to us are true.

Through developing hope we can come to a testimony of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and we can prepared for the time that He will show Himself unto us. But we have to develop the faith necessary. Faith can become so secured in us that it is more powerful than any wordly knowledge we might gain.

We have the example of many who have been partakers of the heavenly gift of seeing the Lord; and we can rest assured that we can also be partakers of this gift, through faith in Jesus Christ.

Moses and the other prophets prepared the way for us to know of our Father; and Heavenly Father prepared an even more excellent way in the gift of His Son, who has always been the Way.

Vs 12-22 Moroni witnesses and explains faith. We first need to have faith in Jesus Christ in order to gain the desired blessing and witness that we seek. We can work miracles through faith in Christ. We can obtain a remission of our sins. We can be shown the path to take. We can even see angels and see the Lord when our faith is strong enough and secure in Him.

Vs 26-28 If we are humble, we will believe the words of the disciples of Jesus Christ and the prophets in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon. If we have faith in Jesus Christ, we will take our weaknesses to Him, instead of mocking the weaknesses of others, and He will be our Strength, and He will be our Salvation. He will make our weaknesses become our strengths. With Him we can do all things.

Vs 29-35 Moroni testifies more of the need for humility, faith, hope and charity. He testifies of the Lord’s goodness and promises.

Vs 38-41 Moroni says farewell. He lets us know that he has seen and talked to Jesus face-to-face. He invites us to follow Jesus. It will be well with us when we see him at the Lord's judgment seat if we hearken to his words.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/ether/13?lang=eng

Ether speaks of a New Jerusalem to be built in America by the seed of Joseph—He prophesies, is cast out, writes the Jaredite history, and foretells the destruction of the Jaredites—War rages over all the land.

Vs 2-4 The Americas are a choice land. The people should serve the Lord. It will be the place of the New Jerusalem. Ether saw it all.

Vs 5-12 Moroni recounts the testimony of Ether concerning the building up of Jerusalem in the Middle East in the last days and the building up of a New Jerusalem on this the American Continent. He saw the Lord's Day in the Second Coming. He saw that Israel would be restored to the lands of their inheritance.

As I was reading these verses today, I can’t help but think that there will be more wards first before this happens. It would be great if the people would decide to let the Lord make them clean through their faith and repentance. But there does need to be cleansing. What am I doing myself to repent, change, and become closer to the Lord? What am I doing to help others come unto Jesus Christ?

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/ether/14?lang=eng

The iniquity of the people brings a curse upon the land—Coriantumr engages in warfare against Gilead, then Lib, and then Shiz—Blood and carnage cover the land.

Vs 1 I've requested that the Lord blesss our properties and make them last, so that we can have a chance to get out of debt. I need to be righteous, so that I can continue to seek heaven's blessings.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/ether/15?lang=eng

Millions of the Jaredites are slain in battle—Shiz and Coriantumr assemble all the people to mortal combat—The Spirit of the Lord ceases to strive with them—The Jaredite nation is utterly destroyed—Only Coriantumr remains.

Vs 1-4 Coriantumr woke up to the devastation that was brought upon his people. He sorrowed and began to repent. He wrote to Shiz that he'd give up the kingdom if Shiz would spare his people.

Vs 18-19 Coriantumr tries writing a letter to Shiz to stop the battle again, but everyone is too far gone at this point.

Vs 34 Righteous attitude. Ether was willing to die or be translated; to continue the work on either side of the veil.