Knowledge vs. belief 

I think there’s a pretty big difference between KNOWING something and actually BELIEVING it.

I KNOW a lot of religious things.

In fact, I could give a great lesson about how life is meant to be challenging.

I could teach about how prayers won’t always be answered right away.

And I could speak about how relying on our faith is essential.

But then in my real life…

When my prayers aren’t answered immediately, or when a big trial comes…

I feel like everything has gone wrong!

That “knowledge” doesn’t always translate perfectly.

That’s why I find beautiful comfort in this sweet statement that Mormon made:

“Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people.” (3 Nephi 26:11)

The Lord wants to try our faith.

Intellectually, it makes sense that Jesus wants to try the faith of His people.

But when I allow that message to really sink into my heart, it is so peaceful to remember that absolutely nothing has “gone wrong” in my life.

When I let that knowledge transform into belief, my entire perspective shifts.

The good will always outweigh the bad.

Love will conquer.

And joy is available to anyone who has faith in Jesus Christ!

“Yes, God can provide miracles instantaneously, but sooner or later we can learn that the times and seasons of our mortal journey are His and His alone to direct.” – President Jeffrey R. Holland

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black