Ladder of Faith

Accepting His will in place of our own is a key to finding happiness regardless of our circumstances.

Obedience to God’s commandments enables us to be trusted by Him.

Unbelief blocks our ability to see miracles.

Make sure to get the list of questions by prophets starting with “Am I stripped of pride?”

We don’t see all things. He does. … As we accept the Lord’s will, He teaches us how to walk with Him. … Accepting His will in place of our own is key to finding joy no matter our circumstances.

The simple faith we have in Jesus Christ as we first begin to learn about Him can remain in our hearts as we confront life’s challenges. Our faith in Him can and will guide us through the complexities of life. Indeed, we will find that there is simplicity on the other side of life’s complexities as we remain “[steadfast] in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.”

Part of life’s purpose is to allow these potential stumbling blocks to become stepping-stones as we climb what I call the “ladder of faith”—a ladder because it suggests that faith is not static. It can go up or down according to the choices we make.

Our circumstances are not entirely within our control but our choices are and they determine whether our faith grows or withers.

As we strive to build faith in the Savior, we may not fully comprehend God’s love for us, and we may obey His laws out of a sense of obligation. Guilt may even become our primary motivator rather than love. A real connection to Him may not yet have been experienced.

When we obey out of obligation rather than a feeling of connection and trust we are more prone to become discouraged or unhappy with the results.

As we seek to increase our faith, we may be confused by what James taught. He reminded us that “faith without works is dead.” We may stumble if we think everything depends on us. An overdependence on ourselves can impede our ability to access the powers of heaven.

But as we move toward true faith in Jesus Christ, our mindset begins to change. We recognize that obedience and faith in the Savior qualify us to have His Spirit always to be with us. Obedience is no longer an irritant but becomes a quest. We recognize that obedience to God’s commands enables us to be trusted of Him. With His trust comes increased light. This light guides our journey and allows us to see more clearly the path we should take.

But there is more. As our faith in the Savior increases, we observe a subtle shift that includes a divine understanding of our relationship with God—a steady movement away from “What do I want?” to “What does God want?” Like the Savior, we want to act “not as I will, but as thou wilt.” We want to do God’s work and be an instrument in His hands.

“Faith without works is dead” because if we refuse to engage in works we will kill our faith. Comparably, “it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do” not because grace comes after we do the works but because no matter what or how much we do grace must be included in the formula to bring about salvation.

Consider the impact of the choices made when Laman and Lemuel descended the ladder of faith while Nephi climbed higher. Is there a clearer representation than the difference between Nephi’s response of “I will go and do” versus Laman and Lemuel, having just seen an angel, responding with “How is it possible that the Lord will deliver?”

Unbelief blocks our ability to see miracles, whereas a mindset of faith in the Savior unlocks the powers of heaven.

• Am I stripped of pride?
• Do I give place in my heart for the word of God?
• Do I allow my afflictions to be consecrated for my gain?
• Am I willing to let my will be swallowed up in the will of the Father?
• If I have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, can I feel so now?
• Do I let God prevail in my life?

• Sort of
• Yes
• I’m trying
• Yes
• Occasionally
• Not sure