Luke 5:10

Four years ago this month, I was introduced to fly fishing. My friend’s father was an avid fisherman, leading my friend to take a similar interest in the sport. The three of us planned a weekend and met in the Grand Canyon.

Upon arriving, I watched as my friend and his father prepared the flies for the next day. Fishing was not foreign to me, but fly fishing was new, and I had a lot to learn. The legend of the next day’s fishing spot had preceded my arrival. I remembered stories of dozens of fish being caught in a single day. I didn’t dare envision similar success for myself, but the possibility alone excited me.

The next day started early as we set out along the Colorado River to find the perfect spot. While we motored down the river, I received instruction on how to fly fish. I learned how to most effectively disguise my lure as an insect and the art of casting. I also learned some common mistakes that alert the fish that something is different about the lure.

I listened as best I could, but I could not help thinking, “I’ve fished before. I get it, and this place is filled with fish. How hard can it be? I’ll get mine.” Finally, we arrived at a nice bend and docked. We prepared our poles and each of us picked a spot. The surrounding beauty was inspiring.

My friend's father as he fishes

My friend’s father had caught his first fish by the time I was able to cast my line 15 feet in front of me. It wasn’t long until I regretted not paying more detailed attention to my instructions while we were in the boat. While my friend and I struggled with our technique, his father seemed to catch a fish each time his lure hit the water.

I struggled to emulate, but I could not shadow my friend’s father. I remember coming close at times and felt multiple nibbles, but nothing was biting. Slightly distraught, I began to make excuses – if only I had a ‘normal’ fishing pole, my fishing partners were both in better spots, there must be something wrong with my pole, my lure, and so forth.

Recognizing my frustration, my friend’s father made his way over. He relieved me of my pole and proceeded to demonstrate the lesson he had given while we were in the boat. I remember thinking, “Let’s see you do it with this pole.” Without even trying, and while simply demonstrating form in my spot and with my pole, he hooked a fish. Kindly, he passed me the pole, and I caught my only fish that trip.

Despite my fly fishing inadequacies, the trip was very entertaining and relaxing. And, I was able to see a master at his craft.

Peter, James and others observed The Master at His craft in the fifth chapter of Luke. After casting out an evil spirit in Capernaum and healing Peter’s mother in law, Christ begin to gather quite a following. At the lake of Gennesaret, he borrowed Peter’s fishing boat as He taught the multitude from the lake.

Much like me on my fly-fishing trip, Peter and his fellow fishermen had spent the whole day out at sea without any luck. They were mending their nets when Jesus asked to use their boat as His pulpit.

After the sermon, Christ told Peter and the others to head back out and try once more. I think I know how Peter felt. They knew how to fish, what could the son of a carpenter possibly know about fishing that they had yet to learn? Nonetheless, he responded, “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5).

They cast their nets. No sooner had they cast, they were filled. So filled, their nets, which had just been repaired, began to brake under the weight of the fishes. So overwhelming was the quantity of fishes, that they called their partners to help them in another boat. Not even that was enough, and both ships began sinking under the weight of their catch.

“When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon” (Luke 5:8-10).

I found myself in similar astonishment after watching my friend’s father catch fish with such great ease. So much in fact, that the next time he shared fishing tips with me, I was much more attentive. Christ wanted the same response from Peter.

“Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men” (Luke 5:10).

Peter and his group knew how to fish, but they needed help to catch men. To have success, they would need to do it His way. I learned the same lesson from my friend’s dad, who also happened to be a Bishop.

Since my fly-fishing trip, I’ve realized I often try to fish in my own way. The results are always the same – failure. No matter how much we know about fishing, when it comes to His work, there’s only one way to do it, and that’s His way.

However, as we submit to His will and live our lives the way He would have us, there is no fish we cannot catch.

Job 42:13

I love the story of Job, and I’m not the only one. It is home to one of the Bible’s most well-known verses, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

In the verses previous, Job had learned that his oxen and asses had been stolen by the Sabeans, his sheep had been smitten and killed by the “fire of God” (Job 1:16) and his camels had all been stolen by the Chaldeans. As if that were not enough, he was also informed that his sons and daughters had been killed when a great wind blew over the house in which they were gathered for dinner.

Through his life of faith and righteousness, Job powerfully taught the beautiful attribute of patience. How can any of us complain of anything after reading of Job’s life? Are you yet like unto Job? Patience is important, and I want more of it, but patience is not what I love about Job’s story. Like anything else in this life, the true beauty of the book of Job takes diligent effort to uncover. Appropriately, in may also require patience.

Prior to Job’s devastating loss, the Biblical record inventories his possessions:
“And there were born unto [Job] seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east” (Job 1:2-3).

It must have taken Job years to acquire such riches. It took a matter of minutes for him to learn that each of them, including his beloved children had been taken from this world. Almost mockingly one of Job’s servants survived each disaster to serve as the bearer of bad news. While he sat at his dinner table one servant interrupted the meal with news that would ruin anyone’s day. Before that servant could even finish, another would burst into the room to tell their tale of horror. This continued through four servants, the last sharing the crushing news that his childrens' time on earth had come to a close. Everything he owned. Everything by which he occupied his time. It was all gone. The Lord had given greatly, and swiftly had the Lord taken away.

Job’s trials encompassed much more than the loss of his family and his physical possessions. That was just chapter one, literally. In the next 41 chapters, Job is afflicted with boils, encouraged by his wife to “curse God, and die” (Job 2:9), wishes death upon himself to relieve his pain and sorrow, battles with the ache of feeling unforgiven, is scorned by his friends, suffers the accusation of diverse sins and is haunted by the recollection of his previous prosperity. Yet, “in all this, did not Job sin with his lips” (Job 2:10).

Job’s understanding of one beautiful principle, in my mind, enabled him to patiently endure his suffering and empowered him with patience.

In the 42nd chapter, the Lord finally intervenes, “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10). There is a lesson to be learned in the fact that his afflictions were not relieved when he prayed for himself, but they were removed when praying for his friends. But this is not why I love the story of Job.

Another lesson can be learned in the fact that Job was blessed with twice as much as he had before his great trials. The Lord is just. He had taken Job’s possessions and his family. All of these things were to be restored to Job, and with interest. But this is not why I love the story of Job.

It is in the book’s last chapter that we read of what I love most of Job. I feel it appropriate that we are required to read through Job’s sufferings before enjoying the beauty of what chapter 42 provides. It is as if we suffer alongside Job for those 41 chapters. Believe me, chapter 42 is worth it.

Recall the list of Job’s possessions before his trials. The following chart summarizes what Job had before and what his promised reward of double should rightfully be:

*Job 1:2-3

Job was promised “twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10). Later in the same chapter, there appears a discrepancy:

*Job 1:2-3; 42:12-13

The Lord appears to have made good on His promise on all Job had except for what he likely treasured most.

Why would the Lord not do as promised and double Job’s posterity as He doubled his substance?

I have come up with various possibilities:
- The translation is inaccurate. It would not be the only historical inaccuracy dealing with numbers in the Old Testament.
- The Lord lied.
- The Lord compensated for giving Job less than double the amount of children, by somehow making those children better than those he had previously. “And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job…” (Job 42:15).

Of course, there is one more option. What if the Lord actually did somehow double Job’s children by simply restoring the exact number of children he had before his afflictions? This would explain why Job never took exception to what he was given.

When Job’s sheep, camels, oxen and asses were either stolen or killed, that was to be the end of Job’s interaction with them. Not only in this life, but also throughout the eternities. “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither…” (Job 1:21). But, what if there is an exception?

Job’s seven sons, Job’s three daughters, there was something different about them, and Job knew it. The family, in its very nature, is eternal. Job made his testimony of the afterlife known to his friends, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me” (Job 19:25-27).

Job believed that his eyes would behold not only God, but those children which were unexpectantly relieved of their mortal existence. It was this knowledge which strengthened Job when he was tempted by the thought that he had nothing left to live for. Deep inside, he knew he did.

The Lord did double Job’s posterity by granting him seven sons and three daughters. Although Job’s separation from his sheep, camels, oxen and asses was permanent, something stronger than death bound him to his children. The sealing power of the priesthood, a power stronger than death, and one which can bind on earth and bind in heaven. There was no ‘til death do you part.

In a time in which my family has been blessed with the arrival of a son so loving, sweet and good, I am eternally grateful to share Job’s conviction that after this life, I also shall see God, and not only God, but I too have the opportunity to see those I love and care about throughout the eternities.

Job was right, blessed be the name of the Lord.

3 Nephi 1:13-14

During this season, I feel it appropriate to write on my favorite Christmas scripture. It is frequently left out of Christmas Eve traditions, and rare is the occasion that the powerful principles taught therein are properly understood and appropriately applied. Let us all remember, the shepherds were not the first on earth to learn of our Savior’s birth.

Prior to His coming, the Savior called Samuel to testify of His arrival (Helaman 14:1-18). These prophecies included a time frame. The Savior was to enter the world in five years time.

As the days began to be accomplished and with “greater signs and greater miracles [being] wrought among the people,” it was no joyous season for the believers (3 Nephi 1:4). Samuel’s prophecy was met with both great anticipation and great scorn. For as the believers prepared themselves for His coming, those who saw it as foolishness prepared a day “that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass” (3 Nephi 1:9).

On the eve of the execution of his people, the Lord’s chosen prophet Nephi bowed himself upon the earth and cried mightily unto God for wisdom. On that first Christmas Eve in the Americas, he was answered:

“Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

“Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given” (3 Nephi 1:13-14).

What marvelous peace must have filled the heart of Nephi that night. Hours later and a continent away, a group of unsuspecting shepherds were privy to a similar announcement:

“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:10-14).

Back in America, the signs prophesied of Samuel began to be completed. The first Christmas Eve on the American continent knew no darkness (3 Nephi 1:19), and a new star appeared in the heavens, announcing the arrival of the Savior (3 Nephi 1:21).

Appropriately, with even His first breath, Christ saved His Nephite followers from death and despair.

However, the most amazing Christmas miracle was not the night without darkness or even the emerging of a new star in the Astros, but the fact that Christ’s birth has the same effect on us today as it did on Nephi, the shepherds and everyone else who has entered into this world.

Paul described ours as “perilous times,” and indeed they are (2 Tim. 3:1). But it is important to note the words of the Savior:

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

The first Christmas was marked with trials, tribulations and even heavy taxes. From death in the morning to no room in the inn, the Lord’s most chosen vessels indeed faced perilous times in their lives as well.

This Christmas let us better understand the Lord’s promise to Nephi. The Savior is ever watching over us. Like the Nephites of old, we are oft times pushed to despair only to be miraculously rescued on the morrow. He proved Himself with the people of Nephi, the shepherds and He will do the same with us. It does not always come when we want, and it never does come easy, but it comes, and Christmas always has been and forever will be, a time of miracles.

How Missionary Work Works

Whitney and I spoke on missionary work in sacrament meeting last Sunday. Here's what I prepared:

Norma’s Story
With four missions in Mexico City, it is not rare for a member living within the boundaries of one mission to refer the missionaries to a friend or family member living in the boundaries of another.

In many cases, the referring member does not know to which stake or ward their referral is assigned. In order to simplify the referral process, the missions use blue 3x5 note cards. Those wishing to have missionaries contact someone fill out the blue referral card with the name, address, and contact information of their friends or family members. These cards are then submitted to the missionaries of their home ward who in turn forward the reference to their mission home where it is then transferred to the secretaries of the appropriate mission. Finally, the reference card and information are passed along to the appropriate missionaries.

A section of the reference card is reserved for the name and relation of the person giving the referral. Unfortunately, this section is often left blank. Such was the case when two missionaries received a reference card for Norma Vargas Garcia. The card also lacked a phone number but did include Norma’s address, and the missionaries scheduled time to find her the next afternoon.

Finding the address was not that easy. The streets of Mexico City can be confusing. Many of the names have recently been changed, and the changes are not always reflected by the street signs. It is possible to be looking for a street while standing on it and looking at a sign without realizing where you are. Without the contact information of the person who gave the referral, addresses can be extremely difficult to find, and Norma’s was hard to find.

After concluding Norma’s home was near, the missionaries decided to visit a nearby butcher to see if he knew her. People do not typically travel far for their groceries in the city. If Norma did indeed live nearby, this was where she would come to purchase her meat. After introducing themselves, the missionaries asked if the butcher knew a woman named Norma Vargas. No sooner was the name mentioned when a woman emerged from the back of the shop. It was Norma.

She was slightly taken back when two young men in white shirts and ties asked for her by name. The Elders explained they had received her name and address on a card and suggested it may have come from a friend or family member. Norma seemed confused and explained she did not know any members of the church.

Still determined, the missionaries explained many people know members of our faith as Mormons. Norma had never heard of a Mormon. Nervous, she asked to see the card. She couldn’t imagine who could have provided the information, but she invited the missionaries into her home.

How Missionary Work Works
It is important to note that the missionary work with Norma did not begin that day in the butcher shop.

The Lord defined missionary work as “bringing to pass the gathering of [His] elect; for [His] elect hear [His] voice and harden not their hearts” (D&C 29:7).

For missionary work to work, two things have to happen: the Lord must prepare, and we must gather. Norma’s preparation long preceded her gathering.

The Lord Prepares
When I think of great missionary success in The Book of Mormon, my mind often refers to the book of Alma. But remember, the work did not begin when Ammon offered himself as Lamoni’s servant.

“For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory” (Alma 13:24).

We must also understand that it is no more difficult for the Lord to prepare one person than another. God loves all of His children equally, and there are no geographic boundaries to His powers. There are people today in every country, in every stake, and every ward receiving angelic visits in preparation to accept the message of the restore gospel. This is key, and there are no exceptions.

Elder Ballard’s Message to the Missionary Training Center
After completing my full-time missionary service, I was presented the opportunity to work as an instructor at the Missionary Training Center. Every Tuesday night, every missionary at the center attends a fireside. The speakers are selected from emeritus and acting general authorities. At times, they are even privileged to hear from an Apostle. On one occasion, Elder Ballard requested an opportunity to speak on what he deemed an important subject.

That Wednesday, an all-employee meeting was scheduled to allow Elder Ballard to address all the missionaries’ instructors. He mentioned the night before he had asked any missionary to stand if they had at any point in time heard that theirs was a fabulous mission, the people would be wonderful, and the food great, but they would be lucky to help one person come unto Christ through the ordinance of baptism. He reported that two-thirds of the missionaries at that time present rose to their feet. To which he responded, “This is unacceptable.” His purpose that week was to instill faith in each missionary that they have the power to be successful, regardless of the mission to which they were assigned, and to ensure that their teachers were echoing that same message.

The same apostolic promise holds just as true to member missionaries as it does those dedicated to full-time service. The Lord is preparing the hearts of his children in this very area, and it may just be for your arrival.

God Prepared Norma
As Norma continued to progress in the gospel, this same principle became glaringly obvious. After accepting her baptismal date, Norma explained why she decided to invite the missionaries into her home that day.

After giving birth to her only son, Norma was afflicted with terrible arthritis. The disease had such a hold on her bones that she was required to stay in her home for the next eight years, many of them passing in her bed. During this time, she began to reflect on her life, its purpose, and she drew closer to God.

Finally, a doctor cleared Norma to leave her house. She decided to spend her first day outdoors with her father. Who is a butcher. When she saw the referral card the missionaries had anonymously received, she saw something familiar. To her, the card appeared to have been written in her own hand writing, as if she had actually referred herself to receive the missionary discussions.

The missionaries never learned who wrote Norma’s referral card, but Norma has a theory. To this day, if you were to ask Norma the origin of the card, she would say it was written by God himself. She was baptized on Christmas Day. Her son, sister, niece, brother, and sister in law soon after followed her into the waters of baptism. A year later, her brother and sister in law were sealed in the Mexico City Temple to their young daughter Pamela. Norma was later called to serve as the ward Relief Society President, her brother, as the President of the Elders Quorum, while his wife labored as the Primary President.

The Elect are Invited to come unto Christ
As prepared as Norma was, as prepared as Lamoni was, they could not have come to Christ on their own. They were willing, but they needed a teacher.

When Phillip saw an Ethiopian man reading Isaiah in Gaza, Phillip asked if he understood what was being read.

He was answered, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” (Acts 8:31).

The guiding, the gathering, this is our role as member missionaries in this great work. This is what the Savior meant when he said, “Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor” (D&C 88:81).

Marcos on the Metro
Because of boundary changes, the mission home of one of the Mexico City missions sits within the limits of another. To get there, the missionaries have to travel about 30 minutes outside of their mission on the metro.

The Mexico City Metro has a ridership of approximately 1.5 billion passengers each year, just over 4 million people every day. To put that into perspective, the census conducted in 2000 reported Spanish Fork had a population of 20,246. That equates to every resident of Spanish Fork riding the metro 200 times every day.

One Tuesday, a companionship of missionaries headed to the metro for some early morning business at the mission home. As the train sped off, the two Elders found a pair of seats. One vacant chair was left in front of them. Passengers began walking by, and many elected to remain standing instead of filling the vacant seat.

After a few stops, a younger man finally sat near the two Elders. By this time, they were well out of their area, out of their mission, and on the metro in the middle of the world’s largest city during rush hour. But, the district leader had committed the missionaries to open their mouths in every situation possible just one day prior.

They started a conversation and soon found themselves teaching the message of the restoration. By the time they got to the Book of Mormon, the man seemed very interested. Thinking he would be a great referral for some missionaries in some mission, they invited the man to receive them in his home. He accepted.

God Places People in Situations of Participation
Once His children are prepared, the Lord places instruments in a position to invite them to come unto Christ.

The Lord used Ammon to teach and baptize Lamoni. Phillip was called by an angel to be in Gaza at the exact same time as the Ethiopean in order to teach and baptize him. Just as with these missionaries, it was no coincidence Victor chose to sit beside those two missionaries on his way to work that morning.

The Lord Used the Missionaries as an Instrument in His Hands
To the missionaries’ surprise, the address of the man they had been teaching was very familiar. Not only did the man live within their mission boundaries, but he lived in their ward. In fact, he lived just three blocks from the missionaries’ own apartment.

Unfortunately, the man’s schedule was such that the missionaries never saw him again. However, as a result of visiting the man’s address they were introduced to his 14 year-old brother, Josue. Had the missionaries not met his brother on the metro, they would never have found Josue.

He was baptized two weeks later, and is currently preparing to serve a full-time mission himself.

Will We Participate?
Once we understand that the Lord is preparing His children in all parts of the world, we can better understand our calling to be missionaries. Our participation will not influence the outcome. Instead, our participation is a blessing, an opportunity to take part in the miracle of conversion.

Had those missionaries not found Norma’s house. If they decided it was too hard, or otherwise not worth it, the Lord would have used someone else. Had the two Elders decided that they were too far away from their area to share the message of the restoration, the Lord would have called other missionaries to find, teach, and baptize Josue. The point is, the work would have been done, just by someone else. It is those missionaries who would have been missing out.

In the book of Judges, we read about a prophet named Gideon called to liberate Israel from the Midianites, a force “like grasshoppers for multitude…as the sand by the sea side for multitude” (Judg. 7:12). Not only were they more numerous; they were also smarter. The Midianite army had discovered how to use camels in battle. Surely the Midianite army was an intimidating site.

To contend, Gideon raised an army of 32,000 Israelites, only to be told, “The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me” (Judg. 7:2).

The Lord then commanded that the soldiers who were fearful return to their homes. With that, 22,000 packed up their tents and returned to their homes. Gideon was left with 10,000 soldiers, not even one third of his original army.

As they prepared to do battle, the Lord once again visited Gideon saying, “The people are yet too many” (Judg. 7:4). Gideon was commanded to take his army to a river, where the Lord commanded he separate his army based on the way the soldiers drank.

Gideon obeyed and separated the 9,700 who knelt to drink from the 300 who lapped. The Lord commanded the 9,700 be sent home, and Gideon was left him with less than 1 percent of his original army.

Nonetheless, with great faith and a divine strategy, the Israelites attacked and destroyed the Midianites. Three hundred soldiers against an army as numerous as “the sands of the sea.” What a miracle. It truly stands as a testament that no unhallowed hand can stop the progress of the work. If the Lord needs something done, He will get it done. It really does not matter if He has 32,000 or 300.

I have often wondered what distinguished Gideon’s 300. Most importantly, had I been one of the original 32,000, where would I have ended up when the battle was won? Would I have participated in the miracle, side by side with Gideon? Would I have watched from the camp with the 9,700 as the Lord miraculously delivered the Midianites? Or would I have been at home with the other 22,000, anxiously awaiting the army’s return, only to hear of the Lord’s greatness?

Once the Lord had selected His soldiers, the battle did not take long, and the outcome was never in question. The question was who would participate. Missionary work follows this same principle. I have experienced the battle from all three perspectives. I have been on the front lines, blessed to fight alongside those of amazing strength and great faith. I have also found myself watching the battle from the hilltop, and unfortunately, I have spent my share of battles back at my tent only to hear of the remarkable power of the Savior.

We have been called to be the catalysts of conversion. The Lord is doing the hard work. He is preparing His children and making sure that two missionaries are on the same train, in the same car, with one empty seat in from of them when Victor boards for work in the morning. Our responsibility is to simply follow the promptings of the Spirit and to doubt not, but be believing.

I testify that the Lord is preparing His children in this section of His vineyard and pray that we are prepared to serve as instruments in the hands of our Savior. Whether it be opening our mouths on a crowded metro, or simply asking a butcher for directions, as we strive to become the tools by which He brings to pass His work, we will see miracles. Of this I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

James 2:14-17

I was recently reminded of one of the powerful principles addressed in James’ general epistle.

Beginning in chapter two verse 14: “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 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? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:14-17).

So, faith without works is dead. But this scripture has so much more to offer. The laws of geometry teach us that if A=B and B=C then A must equal C, the transitive property.

In applying similar mathematical logic to this principle, we learn that if faith without works is dead, then so must works without faith also share a similar fate.

Captain Mormon experienced such dead works, “Behold, I had led them, notwithstanding their wickedness I had led them many times to battle, and had loved them, according to the love of God which was in me, with all my heart; and my soul had been poured out in prayer unto my God all the day long for them; nevertheless, it was without faith, because of the hardness of their hearts” (Morm. 3:12 emphasis added).

Mormon had the works. He loved; he led; he cared. But because of the people’s iniquities, he could not believe. The Nephites were not worthy of delivering, and Mormon knew it. This knowledge ate at his faith until eventually it was no more and he lost hope. As a result, no amount of loving, leading, or caring could spare the Nephites from what was about to occur.

James taught that the outcome of our actions is a product of both our faith and our works. The results we seek can only reach as high as our lowest variable.

Speaking in numbers, if I have 100 works, but my faith only reaches level 50, my results will be 50. The other 50 works will be “dead.” They will not contribute to the results.

Although many people understand the natural relationship between faith and works, I fear that too few fully comprehend the importance of acting in faith. It really is not just enough to do something.

Paul taught the same principle to the Romans, “Hast thou faith? …for whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Rom. 14:22-23).

I’ve noticed an interesting and repeating phenomenon in my life as I try to match my level of faith and works. My level of works controls the level of my faith, and an increase in faith somehow allows for an increase of works. As I am diligent and obedient, my faith is fortified and I am able to fulfill my goals. The best part of this fortified faith is not the achieving of goals, but an increased capacity of faith which allows me to achieve even greater results in the future. As the process repeats itself, I find myself able to forever be better today than I was yesterday.

Just as the Savior uses this principle to aid us upward in our progression, so does Satan use it to destroy us. By lowering our faith, our works swiftly follow, and thus Satan effectively lowers the results we see. In turn, we often believe the answer is more work (forgetting about our faith). As we pour more and more hours in to our causes but leave our faith at its low level, we will see the same low results as before redoubling our works. Such an occurrence will cause a decrease in faith. Many times, I have thought, “If I worked twice as hard, why am I still seeing the same results?” Eventually, I have begun to question if God has the power to help me obtain my goals, thus lowering my faith and paralyzing my results. Satan repeats this destructive cycle until the individual is rendered faithless and all their works and labors are fruitless.

Magnifying our faith will therefore allow us not only to achieve our righteous desires today, but prepare us for the things only the Lord has envisioned we will be capable of tomorrow.

John 10:4

Throughout the scriptures, Christ is known by many names and holds many titles. In the tenth chapter of John, Christ calls himself the good shepherd (John 10:14). In Christ’s time shepherd’s were much more than sheep sitters.

A shepherd would spend every minute of every day with his flock. Their responsibilities included defending his sheep. This is explained in verses 11 through 13, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”

In the role of protector, the true shepherd earns the trust of the flock. So much that not only does the shepherd know the sheep, but the shepherd is known of their sheep as well (John 10:14). The sheep of the flock learn to recognize and respond to the voice of their true shepherd while ignoring others’ calls. This way, the sheep will quickly follow the commands of the true shepherd, while ignoring the calls of thieves.

This relationship becomes increasingly relevant when considering our responsibility as fishers of men. The Lord has stated, “Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out” (Ezek. 34:11). Only the voice of the good shepherd will bring His sheep into the fold. This is another reason that living a truly Christian lifestyle is essential to our success as fishers of men. If we don’t look like Him, if we don’t sound like Him, if we don’t speak like Him, His sheep are going to recognize the differences, and even though what they are saying may be true, the sheep just won’t follow.

John 15:4

The 15th chapter of John contains one of my favorite verses in the entire canon, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (verse 4).

In the previous verses, Christ established Himself as the vine, the source of nourishment and nutrients for the branches and fruit. He then continues to define His apostles and each of us as the vines, while defining our greatest objective as the production of good fruit.

I love the symbolism and like to use the relationship of trees, branches and fruit to bring the story to life in my mind. Just as no branch can produce fruit once removed from the trunk, no person is capable of producing good fruits without the Savior. Even the most productive branches, once removed from the trunk, wither and die in their fruitlessness. Likewise, the lowliest of all branches, while still with the trunk, is capable of delicious fruit.

Life then becomes a question of who is closest to the vine instead of who can do the most while away from Him. What then does it take to produce good fruit? It does not depend on the square footage of our home, our position at work or even our IQ; it all depends on our proximity to the vine.

In the verse, Christ invites us to “abide” in Him. Abide means to remain, to continue or to stay. A beautiful invitation, but one I believe is limited by the constraints of the English language. In the Reina Valera (Spanish) translation of the Bible Christ’s invitation is given as a command to “permanacer” in Him.

“Permanecer” is one of two Spanish words that can be translated to “abide.” The other is “quedar.” Although the two mean roughly the same, there is a subtle yet important difference. “Quedar” is used when someone or something remains in a place or state temporarily, as one would “quedar” full or satisfied after a meal. Although there is no current desire for more, it is understood that at some future point, more nourishment will be required.

“Permanecer” is a different form of the word abide. The root of the word stems from the Latin word “proprius,” meaning permanent. If someone or something is to “permanecer” it is to do so forever. There are no breaks and no exceptions; it’s permanent.

That was Christ’s invitation. We must not just abide in the true vine, we must “permanecer” in Him.