I keep hearing members of the church talk about “the great sifting” that seems to be going on. We hear people say things like: The church is making changes! The church is revealing hidden secrets they’ve kept from members! The church is not adjusting to the reality of life! But, what is the great sifting if not an opportunity to show our faith and commitment to the church?

Two addresses, during the October 1983, Sunday morning session of conference, talk about faith and commitment, and it reminds me of how important those two are for us today. As members of the church, we have to ask ourselves, who is our faith in? And who are we committed to? The answer can only be Jesus Christ.

Gordon B. Hinckley, who at this time was the only functioning member of the First Presidency, talks about faith. Back then, I remember a lot of people were complaining about how the church was being run by old men. What did old men know, anyway?

It was a relatively short trial for the church to have an opportunity to see that the church was actually run by Jesus Christ, not these old men. I wonder if people recognized that they could only really see that through their faith?

Faith is an interesting concept to understand. I don’t claim to have a complete handle on it, but I know what the scriptures say. Faith can’t be seen, but it is real (Hebrews 11:1). Faith must precede the miracle (Ether 12:12). Faith is the first principle of the gospel (Article and Faith 4). These are important factors to consider.

When it comes to trials, we are often at risk of losing our faith. What does that mean? Does that mean that we don’t understand that faith grows every time it brings us closer to depending on Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice? Does that mean we don’t believe Jesus when He said He descended below all things to save us? Does that mean we’re willing to give up all that we’ve already experienced and learned because suddenly it got too hard? Thank goodness Jesus didn’t do that.

Marvin J. Ashton told a cute, and pretty important story, about a little boy who fell out of bed. When he went crying to his mother, she asked him why he fell out of bed. He answered, “I fell out because I wasn’t in far enough!”

His talk, on commitment, reminds me of those fair-weather Saints who quit on their faith too soon.

We knew life was going to be hard. I’m pretty sure we didn’t realize just how hard that could be, though. Pres. Hinckley spoke about the early Saints and how hard it was to put complete faith in a God they were just learning about. He spoke of faith as though it were energy, which I suppose it is. We know that faith is power.

He talked about temple dedications as being “a great refreshing of our faith,” as certainly the Nauvoo temple was for those Saints and is for us each time a temple is dedicated. Even though there was a huge rush to finish, they finished only enough to be able to perform the covenants they knew they needed in order to cross the plains. But that journey was full of so many unknowns, insurmountable trials, and necessary patience to get there. Yet, by their faith, they pulled themselves together and because faith can be infectious, everyone’s hearts opened up for the journey. How did they ever make it across successfully unless they had faith and commitment? Did you know that other wagon parties going west experienced more sickness and death than any of the Mormon pioneers? How do you think that was possible?

I believe it was because Jesus Christ was with them. Even in their extremities and because of their extremities. And because of their faith and commitment.

Faith is really where everything starts for us. In order to truly be committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have to have faith in Him. We have to believe He suffered for us so that when we suffer we can let Him succor us and finally heal us. And when we see the miracle of healing, our faith grows and sustains us.

Ultimately, our faith in Jesus Christ will perfect us. Pres. Hinckley talks about the commandment to be perfect. How do we do that?

“With faith, we can rise above those negative elements.”

“With faith, we can school our appetites.”

“We can reach out to those whose faith has grown cold and warm them by our own faith.”

“As our fathers labored in faith with a moving vision of the destiny of this work, even so can we. There is so much to be done, so much improvement to be made, but we can do it, walking in faith.”

I testify that faith is a powerful gift that we have been commanded to develop in our lives. We need to show our commitment through our faith in Jesus Christ and His servants. If we question our faith, we might lose it, and then where would we be?  

What a pleasure it was for me to read these two talks and be reminded to stay the course with full faith and commitment.