The Lord’s commandments can be viewed as invitations to desire, think, and act more like he does. They can be found in rules that are either obeyed or disobeyed, in principles that should guide our decisions, or as extensions of his character that we can emulate. Out of these three, his character is the basis from which we can gain the most extensive and accurate understanding of his commandments and from which we can draw the most strength when exercising our faith in him.
Faith is required to advance from obedience to rules, to adherence to principles, to transformation of character. The objective in each case is to know God more than one presently does, and this can only occur through first obtaining and then acting according to a correct idea of what is not presently known.
The greatest faith can only be exercised once a person understands and believes in God’s character. At this point, they have full trust in him— not because of their exact knowledge of why what they are going through is good, but because they know that given the Father’s love and knowledge, anything that comes from him must be good, no matter how bad it seems. This is how a person “...[puts] off the natural man and [becomes] a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” (Mosiah 3:19) It is through this unshakable confidence in God that we endure all things, obey all things, and become as he is.
Considering the Lord’s character traits individually can increase our faith in him. The Lord’s character is a composite of various specific attributes. This chapter will investigate how we can have faith in the Lord’s mercy, knowledge, justice, and love.
Faith in God’s mercy
Desiring God’s mercy. Desire for God’s mercy comes from sincerity, borne of desperation:
And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son. (Alma 33:11)
Those who seek God’s mercy don’t merely ask for it—they cry for it. They do so as if their lives depend on it.
It was this sort of authentic desire for God’s mercy that caused two blind men to cry to Jesus: “Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.” (Matthew 9:27)
It was this sort of authentic desire for God’s mercy that one group had after they “viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth.” They understood the urgency and necessity of what they sought:
And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men. (Mosiah 4:2)
Reasons for God’s mercy. God has provided many examples of the mercy he gave to people in the past. His past mercy for others gives us reasons to expect he will also be merciful with us under the same conditions:
3 Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said concerning prayer or worship?
4 For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me.
5 Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me.
6 And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer.
7 And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me.
8 Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them. 12 And now Alma said unto them: Do ye believe those scriptures which have been written by them of old? (Alma 33)
I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things...that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. (Moroni 10:3)
And he began to cry unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, have mercy; according to thy abundant mercy which thou hast had upon the people of Nephi, have upon me, and my people. (Alma 18:41)
Acting according to God’s mercy. The mercy of God is conditional. It comes to those who seek after and obey God:
...extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him. (Mosiah 29:20)
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him... (Psalm 103:17)
Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered. (2 Nephi 2:7)
It is to those who seek after and obey God—and to those only—that his mercy comes:
13 Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God.
22 But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God.
25 What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God. (Alma 42)
If you have faith in God’s mercy, you will fulfill the conditions of obtaining it by forsaking all your sins and seeking God with all your heart, might, mind, and strength:
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts. (Jacob 6:5)
Outcomes of God’s mercy. God’s mercy provides forgiveness of your sins, reveals the path to improvement, and provides reasons to believe you are capable of attaining it.
Faith in God’s knowledge
Desiring God’s knowledge. It is wise to seek God’s knowledge:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
All things in life are obtained through living according to the conditions God set for receiving them. Knowing what he knows will aid you in obtaining whatever it is you desire, making happiness more attainable:
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. (Proverbs 3:13)
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. (Proverbs 19:8)
No matter what you desire, the greatest outcome is to have eternal life. God’s knowledge is the key to eternal life:
Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich. (D&C 11:7)
Reasons for God’s knowledge. God knows all things:
O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it. (2 Nephi 9:20)
God wants you to know all things:
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2)
He has provided the means to transmit his knowledge to you through this mortal life and the gospel of Jesus Christ, through which his spirit is available to you:
And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God. (Alma 18:35)
Acting according to God’s knowledge. Because God knows more than we do, and because everything he commands is for our benefit, sinning against his instruction is merely sinning against ourselves:
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. (Proverbs 8:36)
Outcomes of God’s knowledge. As long as we trust in our own knowledge, we will come miserably short of the knowledge and outcomes we have access to through God’s knowledge. When we fully trust God, he will lead us to outcomes that lie beyond the limits of our present knowledge. He will teach us more of what he knows, and he will guide us to more of the outcomes he enjoys.
Faith in God’s justice
Desiring God’s justice. The righteous seek for God’s justice, because it will result in their blessing:
3 And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good.
4 And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order, every thing to its natural frame—mortality _raised_ to immortality, corruption to incorruption— _raised_ to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other— (Alma 41)
Reasons for God’s justice. God is perfectly just:
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4)
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation. (Zechariah 9:9)
Justice requires knowing right and wrong. It requires knowing the true value, cost, and benefit of all things. God is the only fair judge, because only he knows all things:
But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things. (2 Nephi 2:24)
God will reward the righteous with the blessings they deserve and pay back the wicked with the punishments they deserve:
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)
Acting according to God’s justice. Those who have faith in God’s justice will act as if justice will be immediately and fully paid. Even though they realize that God’s justice is sometimes delayed, they know that even when it is, he will make everything fair, including compensating for any delay in retribution:
Then will Jehovah delay his coming, that he may favor you; out of mercy toward you he will remain aloof. For Jehovah is the God of justice; blessed are all who wait for him. (Isaiah 30:18, Gileadi Translation)
`For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven. (D&C 58:2)`
Outcomes of God’s justice. One who has faith in God’s justice will obtain everything that God gives man, because it is through justice alone that these things can be obtained.
Faith in God’s love
Desiring God’s love. God’s love is “the most desirable above all things.” (1 Nephi 11:22) God’s love “is the greatest of all the gifts of God.” (1 Nephi 15:36)
Reasons for God’s love. We have many reasons to believe in God’s love. The strongest evidence for God’s love is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
He doesn’t do anything that isn’t calculated for the benefit of the world:
He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation. (2 Nephi 26:24)
He unfailingly prefers the happiness of his children over his own happiness. More accurately, he has chosen to define his own happiness in terms of the happiness of his children. We can therefore trust him in all things, knowing that whatever he asks of us or subjects us to is designed solely for our benefit. Because he also knows all things, we need not trust only in his motives: he not only desires for us to be benefited, but he also knows the best possible way for that to come to pass.
Acting according to God’s love. Faith in God’s love enables you to have total trust in him, joyfully submit to all trials, and do mighty works in his name:
And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man... (Ether 3:4)
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:16)
3 ...we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5)
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8)
Outcomes of God’s love. A person filled with the love of God will give anything and everything to help others obtain a greater knowledge of the love of God. It is through sacrificing themselves for the benefit of others that knowledge of the love of God is propagated through the world (see 1 Nephi 11).
Faith in Christ’s character takes you further than faith alone
We read:
He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world... (2 Nephi 26:24)
Do you truly believe that God doeth nothing save it be for the benefit of man?
We read:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Do you truly believe that all things happen for the good of those who love God?
We read:
O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it. (2 Nephi 9:20)
Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend. (Mosiah 4:9)
Do you truly believe that God knows everything, and that nothing happens except he already knew it would?
We read:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Do you truly believe that God overcame the world?
If you truly believe these things, you can, will, and do endure all things through your faith in Christ.
Faith in Christ converts the strongest yearning into powerful patience and the strongest pressures into unbreakable hope.
Living according to everything you believe will invariably lead to God revealing to you more about the good things you have not yet received that are far better than what you thought possible. This can be extremely painful, because you will desire those things so deeply that it will rob you of the joy you feel in present placeholders. Living according to everything you believe will invariably lead you to experiences that feel as if they will overwhelm you. When you are crushed by an indescribable weight that burns beyond all comprehension, faith in Christ strengthens you through the assurance that this is the precise path to outcomes that are not just improved, but so much better that they will make the present pain more than worth it.
When your heart yearns for what you know you can’t currently have, faith in Christ assures you that God is not just leading you on the exact path to this outcome, but rather to something even greater than what you presently comprehend:
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11)
God gives us what we need through what we want. What we need will lead us to far greater joy than what we presently want. He knows this, but we must trust him to come to see it ourselves.
Faith in the character of Christ is powerful because, in his mercy, the Lord came to this earth and suffered in ways we could see and understand so that we would have faith in those aspects of his character that we do not see and which lie above our present comprehension.
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
As we come to the Lord, placing in him all our desire and consistently acting according to how we sincerely believe he would in our place, we will feel as if it is more than we can bear. In response, he will show us the prints in his hands and say, “I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.” (Isaiah 49:16)
While we may not understand how the journey could possibly be worth it, the physical witness of God himself suffering and dying for us assures us it is by mercifully manifesting his promises in ways we can understand in spite of our woefully limited understanding of the eternal. There is nothing God will withhold from those who trust him enough to receive what they desire.