May I just start by saying that this is a great lesson! As I read it, my spirit soared. I was filled with a humble power that I am capable, I am hopeful, and I am blessed.

There are women, in the Church, who seek power by demanding what the Lord will not give them. And there are women who have discovered the sweet empowering gifts that come from pure and devoted faith.

What is the difference and how do we claim our desired place?

The first thing I reveled in was the list of scripture stories showing examples of faith. These are stories we have all grown up with, but when was the last time we actually read them and soaked in the lessons they can teach us? Here’s a challenge for you: Take the time, this week, to read through each story mentioned.

That’s a whole other story: finding the time to do those “extra” things. We all have time to do the things we want to do. Which rung on the Ladder of Time is your faith, and the acts required to exercise it? If you really want to, you will find the time to read these stories, to feel the spirit of them, and to gain a personal witness that they really happened, and that you can experience faithful stories like them in your own life.

Having faith requires boldness, confidence, and well…faith. The gift received is power. Not power defined by the world. You will feel a holy power that through God all things are possible, probable, and fulfilled in his promises.

Can you picture Pres. Smith talking in Sir Robert Horne’s office announcing that Great Britain needs what we (the Church) are offering? (pg. 181)

Pres. Smith’s simple words of guidance, “Give the Lord a chance”, are profound, because they are based on the faith we offer up. “If you have something that the Lord asks or expects you to do and you don’t know just how to proceed, do your best. Move in the direction that you ought to go; trust the Lord, give him a chance, and he will never fail you.” (pg. 187)

If we are struggling with this concept, where do our children sit? We must be their examples. We must show them how to do it. Remember, faith is not knowing the result until after the trial, so our children have to see us walking into the dark. We have to show our dependence on our Heavenly Father.

The following are questions Pres. Smith raises (pg. 186):

• Would our youth be willing to suffer hardships, privations, and trials for the gospel’s sake?
• Would they leave their homes of comfort if called upon?
• Have our youth been taught to obey the commandments at all costs?
• Do they know that Jesus is the Christ?
• Do they know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the Lord?

If parents are diligent in their efforts, the answer should be a resounding “YES!”

“There are hundreds and thousands of our sons and daughters who, knowing that this is the gospel of Christ, would, if need be, seal their testimony with their lives.” (That says “lives” sisters, not blood. God wants our children to “live” the gospel. He isn’t asking us to give up our children.)

“If there are any of us who lack faith in this work it is because we have not kept the commandments of God.” (pg. 188) We cannot expect to have faith when we pick and choose what commandments to obey.

“We know that faith is a gift of God;” It will be there when we need it only if we foster it and do all we can to make time and place for it in our daily actions. “It is the fruitage of righteous living. It does not come to us by our command, but is the result of doing the will of our Heavenly Father.” By giving up our own will we can claim our Father’s will as our own. “If we lack faith, let us examine ourselves.” We should be asking for faith in our prayers. At every opportunity, we need to make a conscious choice to walk in the Lord. Think before we do what we want. Think what the Lord wants. Without a complete answer, we can still move forward by putting our trust in him. He will either correct us or affirm our action and our faith will grow as a result. (pg. 188)

When we accepted membership into this true Church of Jesus Christ, we chose to do things the Lord’s way. His way is so much better, so much more powerful, than our way could ever be. I so testify.