Chapter 8 - Pioneers' Promises and Planting

Chapter Eight: Pioneers' Promises and Planting

Evidence of Faith

Personal Reflections and Family Trip

  • Traveling with grandchildren is a source of joy and inspiration.

  • Observing unique personalities emerge when children are away from familiar settings (parents, siblings, friends).

  • Planned a trip with three grandsons:

    • Created a syllabus focusing on important places and gospel principles.

    • Aim to help grandsons concentrate on their divine purpose and responsibilities as priesthood holders.

    • Focus on preparation for eternal covenant keeping, securing testimonies, and preparing for missions.

  • Increase in faith and greater sense of identity felt by all during studies together.

Presentation at Reason for Hope Conference

  • Discussed truths related to family and covenants at Brigham Young University (November 2017).

  • Reflections on astronomy and knowledge of the cosmos:

    • Attended a lecture at a respected planetarium about constellations and the Cassini mission to Saturn.

    • Listened to inquiries about the extent of human knowledge about space; expressed surprise at the lack of concrete answers despite extensive resources devoted to it.

    • Contemplated the limitations of knowledge obtained solely through science.

Hope and Faith

Personal Testimony and Learning

  • Reflected on personal journey to understand God and faith:

    • Questions about knowing God’s attributes, His promises, Jesus Christ's mission and miracles, and personal purpose.

    • Challenges faced in maintaining faith despite imperfections observed in self and church leaders.

    • Parents played a significant role in nurturing faith through powerful presentations of the gospel:

    • Encouragement to ask questions for personal understanding of faith.

    • Definition of faith: "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

    • Growing certainty of a Heavenly Father, the plan for humanity, Jesus Christ’s role, and access to the Holy Ghost as a guide.

Restoration of the Gospel

  • Acknowledgment of the restored gospel and the importance of priesthood ordinances:

    • Affirmation of the priesthood keys held by a living prophet today.

    • Knowledge obtained is likened to a nurtured tree in one’s life, emphasizing personal growth and need for further faith.

  • Invitation to join in journeys of assurance, faith planting, and nourishing existing faith, aiming for personal growth in faith journey.

Journey of Pioneers

Reflections on Ancestors

  • Inspiration drawn from the lives of pioneer ancestors and their covenant-keeping:

    • Story of personal trip stopped by car trouble leads to visiting graves of ancestors in Lyman, Wyoming.

    • Notable ancestors include James Henry Rollins and Eveline Walker Rollins, early church members:

      • James had a childhood characterized by profound faith and experiences with Joseph Smith, being an early defender and participant in church responsibilities.

      • James and Eveline’s contributions and sacrifices as early pioneers, including participation in the building of the Nauvoo Temple and settlement in California and Utah.

    • Other inspirational pioneers mentioned:

    • George Eyre, who lost his mother during emigration.

    • Oscar and Mary Anne Hamblin, who faced extreme hardships while motivated by their faith.

Chosen Legacy of Faith

  • Personal findings at various cemeteries reveal family connection to early pioneers.

  • All ancestors recognized are illustrative of broader heritage:

    • Deep respect developed for sacrifices made by ancestors.

    • Number of great, great, great grandparents with faith in restored gospel (23 out of 32) and their commitment to keeping covenants across generations.

  • Questioning the sincerity of early church members:

    • Reflection on whether early covenant keepers were misled or ignorant; concluding they were knowledgeable, innovative, and strong-willed.

  • Ongoing inspiration from ancestors, leading to commitment not to weaken their legacy but to continue nurturing the tree of faith.

Journey of Promises

Church History and Understanding Priesthood

  • Trip with grandsons to early church history sites aimed at reinforcing understanding of priesthood and God's promises:

    • Memorized Doctrine and Covenants Section 2—teaching about priesthood restoration and promises made to fathers and their children.

  • Discussion highlights:

    • Elijah's role in restoring priesthood authority.

    • Priesthood power as the eternal authority through which ordinances and blessings are administered.

    • Understanding that promises made by God transcend generations and are integral to the gospel.

Promises made to Ancients

  • Examination of promises made to ancient figures (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Adam and Eve) and their significance for modern believers.

  • Importance of priesthood ordinances as vital to manifesting godliness in mortals, recalling Moses’ teachings.

  • Assurance that abiding in the Lord’s covenant leads to eternal blessings, thrones, kingdoms, and continuance of seed forever with glory.

  • Reflecting on purpose of the promises, goals missed if not planted in hearts of children.

Journey of Planting

Personal Legacy and Family Heritage

  • Working with granddaughter to preserve records of Jay Paul and June Strong Beck that emphasized legacy of faith:

    • Lived lives filled with hardship but remained committed covenant keepers.

    • Role as spiritual leaders confined to their private lives, yet impactful educators as youth leaders.

  • June’s powerful testimony and encouragement to son to seek his own understanding of faith:

    • Testament to personal empowerment through testimony and spiritual experience.

Developing Personal Faith

  • Drawing on Alma’s teaching comparing the word of God to a seed:

    • Initial small faith grows into strong, discernible faith, thereby producing useful fruits.

  • Legacy left by Jay Paul and June is not wealth but a robust heritage of faith cultivated through teaching, service, and experiences.

Conclusion: Assurance of Hope

Lessons Learned

  • Through the journeys of pioneers, promises, and planting, the essence of faith is highlighted as a catalyst for action:

    • Strong faith emerges from a firm belief in God and awareness of His influence in life.

    • Faith requires persistent effort, aligning with ancient promises and covenants made over generations.

  • Importance of the Holy Ghost in strengthening personal conviction and testimony:

    • Peter as an example of transformation post-Pentecost and receiving the Holy Ghost, empowering faith and mission.

  • Insight on combating adversarial influences through constant engagement with the Holy Spirit's promptings.

Final Testimonial

  • Encouragement to seek truth and divine blessings aligned with covenant keeping and faith.

  • Testimony of the blessings attained through faithfulness to God’s promises, reflecting on the legacy of ancestors and personal journeys of faith.