Brigham Young

     Another excellent example of faith from our time comes from Brigham Young.  Brigham Young was the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was called by God to represent Him after the martyrdom of the prophet Joseph Smith. 

     One of the great lessons we can learn from Brigham Young is that faith doesn’t have to be a blind matter.  In fact it’s not meant to be.  We are supposed to exercise diligence in learning the matters of God (which includes all truth) to the best of our ability. 

     Then, after we’ve done all we can do to learn the truth of the matters we face, we make a decision and present it to the Lord.  Sometimes this time of preparation takes a long time after we’ve recognized we need instruction.  Sometimes the answer must be immediate and our previous preparation will have to suffice (which means we need to always be preparing ourselves by learning as much truth as possible).  But we do need to do all we can first.

     If we go to the Lord, present our decision, and are told it is incorrect, we are supposed to exercise faith at that time and do as the Lord commands.  If He tells us our choice is right, or even refrains from answering, it is up to us to proceed with the solution in faith. 

     This principle of faith applies to all aspects of our life.  (God is not likely to care what decision we make in several of our day-to-day decisions, such as what to eat for breakfast.  These are very unlikely to have an impact on our salvation or the salvation of others.)  It applies to marriage.  It applies to principles of truth we learn through religious leaders.  It applies to career choices, choices about attending religious organizations, and so many other important life choices.

     Brigham Young provides us with an excellent example of this principle of faith.  He demonstrated it when he received a copy of The Book of Mormon.  For three years Brigham studied the book, praying to God in faith to know if the written words were the words of God.  After three years he received a witness that The Book of Mormon was indeed scripture.

     After that Brigham plunged into the teachings found within the pages of The Book of Mormon.  He had received his witness and would never forsake the truths he learned. 

     At another time He received some instruction from the prophet, Joseph Smith.  The instruction was difficult.  Brigham knew Joseph was a prophet but he couldn’t understand the words given to him.  He expected direction from God on the matter, and the prophet promised him he would get it.  Before Joseph Smith had made it down the street, Brigham Young received his witness from God.  He again plunged into the matter and never turned back.  And this was the pattern he lived throughout his life.

     The faith of Brigham Young would lead him on to become one of the greatest advocates for God in this period of time.  He would follow God by leading the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to a barren land, where the saints developed the beautiful Salt Lake valley under the hand of God.  And his faith would lead him to many other important accomplishments.  Through it all he practiced the principle of doing his part before coming to God in faith.  This was because Brigham Young knew our growth requires diligence and work coupled with faith.