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Those with faith calculate what is worthwhile differently


Wed, November 26, 2025

Faith is a measure of the perception, accuracy, and willingness to act according to evidence. Let us focus on the perception part of this equation.

After their prolific mission, Ammon recounted:

23 Now do ye remember, my brethren, that we said unto our brethren in the land of Zarahemla, we go up to the land of Nephi, to preach unto our brethren, the Lamanites, and they laughed us to scorn?

24 For they said unto us: Do ye suppose that ye can bring the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth? Do ye suppose that ye can convince the Lamanites of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers, as stiffnecked a people as they are; whose hearts delight in the shedding of blood; whose days have been spent in the grossest iniquity; whose ways have been the ways of a transgressor from the beginning? Now my brethren, ye remember that this was their language. (Alma 26)

Those with less faith had a different idea: they suggested they grab some weapons and go fight them instead (see Alma 26:25).

To Ammon and his brothers, who knew of and had experienced more of God's love their countrymen who took it for granted, the chance to save the souls of their Lamanite brethren was worth any price, up to and including their lives. Their ears were attuned to the noise of battle, and they sought to inject themselves into the greatest darkness to bring about the greatest light of God.

This pattern has applied throughout all time, and our day is no exception. What do you value the most?

Your comfort?

7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?

8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. (Luke 17)

Your hobbies?

42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. (Luke 12)

Your stuff?

Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. (Luke 8:18)

Your reputation?

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:38)

Your family?

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:38)

Or God?

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deuteronomy 6)

A telltale sign of where your priorities lie is the price you are willing to pay to help others draw nearer to God. To the extent you have have experienced the love of God, you know that there is no price too great to help others experience the same. Perceive and act according to the evidence.

Consider the blessings available for those who have this kind of faith:

Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance. (Alma 26:22)




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Angelina Farnes • Watched 6/747 videos | Read 65/457 blogposts • Thu, November 27, 2025

I love the principles taught by the master who tells the servant, in essence, "after working your fingers to the bone around the house and in the fields today, you'll eat and drink AFTER you've prepared MY meal, I've partaken, all my needs are satisfied, and you've cleaned up. Then and only then you can prepare and partake of your meal. BTW, don't forget to clean up afterwards and finish all the evening chores in the house and with the livestock. And prepare what is needful for tomorrow morning. Then you can get some rest." This is exhausting thinking about. And tougher to do in real life. This has helped me incredibly when I'm wiped out and there's still so much to do in the service of my family and others, in the service of our master. I thank you, Rob, for your example of living this scripture, by awaking at 0300 hours (or earlier). I'm writing this at 0645 hours and you've already been up and at 'em over three hours. You practice what you preach. As you've noted, that's not a requirement for every servant. However, equivalent sacrifice and obedience in each of our lives is required, to show what we value most. So powerful, thank you.