1.
Ether 12:6
And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; 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.
If you are experiencing doubt, or even a crisis of faith,
don’t despair. All who desire a witness
of the truth of the gospel must endure a trial of faith (or several). Part of that trial is the expectation that we
are to strive to cultivate faith before we obtain evidence that our faith is
not in vain. In fact, Paul goes so far
as to preach that faith is, in itself, the evidence which we seek:
Hebrews 11:1 Now
faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The apostle Peter taught that our faith will be refined if
we maintain it even as we experience the fires of doubt. If we love God, and believe in him, even
“though now ye see him not,” we are promised that we will receive our sought
after witness, the end (or object) of our faith. If you will stay faithful,
even when “ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations [and trials]” (see
1 Peter 1:6), your faith will be rewarded, and you can "rejoice with joy
unspeakable and full of glory.”
1 Peter 1:7-9 That
the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth,
though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory
at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom
having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye
rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.