Fortify our foundations of faith

Introduction

In October 2006 Thomas S. Monson gave a talk in conference titled "How firm a Foundation".  In this talk he discusses how mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.  However, in order for us to be tested we must face challenges, difficulties, paradoxes, and trials which may be difficult for us to withstand.  How can we fortify ourselves so that we do not break under the challenges placed before us and maintain our faith and testimony before, in and after we may be challenged?  This is the topic of this talk.

President Monson Stated:

"Stated simply, if we do not have a deep foundation of faith and a solid testimony of truth, we may have difficulty withstanding the harsh storms and icy winds of adversity which inevitably come to each of us.

Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order for us to be tested, we must face challenges and difficulties. These can break us, and the surface of our souls may crack and crumble—that is, if our foundations of faith, our testimonies of truth are not deeply embedded within us."

Means by which we may loose our faith

As I was thinking about this topic and the experiences I've had in my life I've come to the conclusion that there are at least 5 main challenges that can destroy our faith.

Brother Neil L. Anderson in October 2015 gave a talk about this very issue as well titled "Faith is not by chance but by choice".  His comments agreed with President Monson's comments but clarified them and applied them to the issues we are seeing now and I will be quoting some from this talk as well.

I believe that there is a pattern that we can use to protect ourselves from the loss of faith that can come through these types of challenges.  I would propose that the following can be a great help to us in maintaining our foundations of faith. Remember that when you feel your faith is failing and or being tested - the following acronym may be helpful: "TEST" in maintaining your faith.

Truth - Epistemology/Evidence - Service - Teaching/Testifying

#1. Truth - Gain through study and prayer

We need a solid understanding of what the "Truth" actually is.
D&C 93:24
24 And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;

In other words it is something that corresponds to "reality" and what is. (more on this in a bit)

President Monson said:"We can rely on the faith and testimony of others only so long. Eventually we must have our own strong and deeply placed foundation, or we will be unable to withstand the storms of life, which will come."(How firm a Foundation)

How then can we gain this type of independent testimony?

We must first gain an understanding of the Doctrines of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - including the plan of salvation, the atonement, and requirements for exaltation.

How do you gain this type of knowledge?  How do you study the Doctrines of Jesus Christ?

Thus through these two principles - two types of evidence can be gained concerning a question or doctrine - we'll speak more of this in a bit.

Remember the Gospel is "Clear", "Simple", "Consistent", and brings peace to the soul when understood correctly. I think Alma said it best:
Alma 5:45-47

45 And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?

46 Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.

47 And moreover, I say unto you that it has thus been revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our fathers are true, even so according to the spirit of prophecy which is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of God.

Just as Alma asked us how do ye suppose he knew of their surety, we also must understand how we come to a knowledge of "Truth"

#2. Epistemology - An understanding of the means by which an individual gains a belief

This is a correct understanding of how a belief is created in the mind of an individual.
This process is as follows: Questions -> Evidence -> Interpretation -> Choice -> Belief -> eventually becomes knowledge("Truth")

An example of the gaining of a belief is as follows:
A Question occurs to an individual i.e. is the Book of Mormon true.
Evidence is gathered concerning the question (reading,Holy Ghost, comparing to other scriptures, prayer, prophets, friends, parents etc.)
An Interpretation of that evidence is made - which leads to a choice concerning that evidence. 
This choice then becomes the basis of our belief.
Over Time - and continued belief - the belief is understood to be what it reality is... i.e. "Truth". (Our seed grows and is perfected Alma 32)

An understanding of this process can help us more fully understand why we believe things others don't as well as why they believe things we don't.... Belief is a subjective act based upon a choice.

What Types of Evidence are there? There are 3 types:

We've talked about two types of evidence so far...  Scriptural Study (Referential evidence), and Prayer (experiential evidence).

Referential evidence - I've been told, read, heard of i.e. trust in the physical/experiential knowledge of another (Read Scriptures, listen to talk)

Experiential evidence - I've done, experienced, completed, worked on i.e. doing - experiencing (Prayer, Service, Holy Ghost)

Physical evidence - I've personally seen, touched, visited, talked to i.e. sensory knowledge - felt (Holy Ghost)

It is through this evidence that we gather, and then interpret, which moves us toward making a choice about what we believe.

Brother Neil L. Andersen said

"Addressing honest questions is an important part of building faith, and we use both our intellect and our feelings. The Lord said, “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart.” Not all answers will come immediately, but most questions can be resolved through sincere study and seeking answers from God. Using our mind without our heart will not bring spiritual answers. “The things of God knoweth no man, but [through] the Spirit of God.” And to help us, Jesus promised us “another Comforter” and called Him “even the Spirit of truth.”

Faith never demands an answer to every question but seeks the assurance and courage to move forward, sometimes acknowledging, “I don’t know everything, but I do know enough to continue on the path of discipleship.”

Using your heart without your mind is also incomplete.  It is the merge of both that provides the means to understand and know truth.

Remember this:

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 ¶ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Difference between a Question and a doubt:

The Difference Between Doubt and Question. “Doubt” signals distrust or disbelief. It is when you don't have confidence in someone or something, or reason to believe that something is going to go wrong in a situation. ... Questions are good, doubts in many cases are not.  Questions lead us to ask, and move forward in truth, doubts can lead us away from the truth.

Difficult Questions Sarah Keenan - July 2018

When you have a question, you can act in faith by choosing to trust God and turn to Him first for answers. God gives answers “line upon line, precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30). It is important to rely on the testimony you already have in times of doubt.

“Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.” —Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“Hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes.” —Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

#3. Service to Others - Experiential evidence!

President Monson stated: 2005 - the sacred call of service
What does it mean to magnify a calling? It means to build it up in dignity and importance, to make it honorable and commendable in the eyes of all men, to enlarge and strengthen it, to let the light of heaven shine through it to the view of other men.
...
"In the Book of Mormon we read of noble King Benjamin. In the true humility of an inspired leader, he recounted his desire to serve his people and lead them in paths of righteousness. He then declared to them:

“Because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.  “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:16–17).

This is the service that counts, the service to which all of us have been called: the service of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Mathew 25:37-40

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto m

James 2:14-19

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

As we love and serve others instead of ourselves - we become more like our master Jesus Christ.  We will receive his image in our countenance, we will mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.  Our testimonies will be strengthened - through the Holy Ghost which will come upon us and increase our every capacity.  Our very natures will be changed as we are converted to becoming disciples of Jesus Christ and we put off the natural man.  Eventually, we will see as we are seen and know as we are know and be like Jesus Christ at his coming, thus we will see the reality that living the Gospel of Jesus Christ i.e. the plan of Happiness is the way to go!

#4. Teaching/Testifying to others the things that we have come to know

This is a means by which we provide evidence to others concerning our service and our life experiences.
Bearing our testimonies in church
Teaching lessons, giving talks, 
Family Home Evening
Quite gospel discussions with friends/family
Gaining Spiritual Gifts
We should all "Open our Mouths" and they will be filled - do not hide that which you know share it with others!!!

D&C 50:21-25

21 Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?

22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.

23 And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.

24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

25 And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you;

This is a means by which the Holy Ghost can speak to us - as we bear testimony to others!

Conclusion

I hope that we can remember to maintain our faith and testimony through the principles of "TEST": Truth - Epistemology/Evidence - Service - Teaching/Testifying.  Remember the pattern of gaining truth:

Questions -> Evidence -> Interpretation -> Choice -> Belief -> eventually becomes knowledge("Truth")

Remember, Remember, Remember - doubt your doubts, study diligently, meditate/ponder upon the things of the Lord.  You shall know the "Truth" and the "Truth" shall make you free! (John 8:32)