Much More Precious Than Gold

To continue on with my goal to trust God more perfectly, I have been studying faith since I finished studying trust in the scriptures. (Yes, I am telling you what I have learned as a way to make myself accountable for keeping at my goals!)

I came across this scripture the other day:

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 honor 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 glory."

In other words, those times when you feel like your faith is really being tested, although those moments are really difficult to handle, are worth more than anything the world could give you.

Elder Richard G. Scott said, "As you walk to the boundary of your understanding into the twilight of uncertainty, exercising faith, you will be led to find solutions you would not obtain otherwise. With even your strongest faith, God will not always reward you immediately according to your desires. Rather, God will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you, when it will yield the greatest advantage. Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. That causes your faith to increase and your character to grow."

I testify that this is true. I have had my run-in with faith-trying times in the past year. They are hard. I didn't enjoy them all too much at the time, but looking back on them, I can't even begin to express how much I treasure those times now!!! I view them as true treasures: treasures of testimony and greater faith. Treasures of learning that I am a literal daughter of God. Treasures of a deeper relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. Those treasures don't even compare to getting a new iPod, going on vacation, or even graduating from college.

If you want to feast on the topic of faith, I absolutely LOVE this talk from October's General Conference:

• Elder Scott's Talk, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character"

The more I learn about faith and trust, the more I realize I have a LOT more to learn! It's like that saying, - "the more you know, the more you know you know nothing!" So true!!! I have a LONG ways to go! I guess I can't complain though - just think of how many treasures I will have when I'm done!?