Your peace of mind depends upon your trust

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday Morning Session of the April 2003 Conference.

This was such a good session of Conference and I had a hard time choosing which talk to write about! Elder Maxwell of course is always amazing. Sister Tanner gave a wonderful talk on motherhood, home, and family, subjects I am always interested in. Elder Neuenschwander's talk on holy places has provided the theme I've been focusing on with my children this year about making our home a place of refuge. I've been trying to get them to internalize this principle:

Amidst the bustle of the secular world, with its certain uncertainty, there must be places that offer spiritual refuge, renewal, hope, and peace.…Our homes, likewise, are holy places filled with sacred space. Though not always tranquil, our homes can be filled with the Spirit of the Lord…The establishment of our homes as holy places reflects the depth of sacrifice we are willing to make for them.

So I loved all of that! But even so, my favorite talk was Elder Scott's, titled (with great exactness) "The Sustaining Power of Faith in Times of Uncertainty and Testing." He said a lot of things about faith that gave me new ways of looking at it. For example, I've heard so many times that true faith is always founded in Jesus Christ, not in some other thing. But I loved this expanded or more specific definition:

To employ its power, faith must be founded on something. There is no more solid foundation than faith in the love Heavenly Father has for you, faith in His plan of happiness, and faith in the capacity and willingness of Jesus Christ to fulfill all of His promises.

I actually find all of those things easy to believe! I already believe them! The hard part, of course, is making my thoughts and actions line up with those beliefs—but I still like the idea that if I cling to and build on them, they will be a strong foundation for me.

He also defines the phrase "trial of your faith" a little differently. I always thought having your "faith tried" meant "having something really hard happen to you." But Elder Scott says 

Every time you try your faith, that is, act in worthiness on an impression, you will receive the confirming evidence of the Spirit. Those feelings will fortify your faith. As you repeat that pattern, your faith will become stronger.

I like the idea of trying your faith meaning just—trying it out. Using it. Practicing it. "Trials" give us the chance to practice, but so do everyday decisions and small annoyances. All of those things can help us improve. He says:

Faith will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. That is when it is used. Character is woven patiently from threads of principle, doctrine, and obedience.…

Our Father’s plan is marvelous. Your exercise of faith builds character. Fortified character expands your capacity to exercise faith. Thus, your confidence in conquering the trials of life is enhanced. And the strengthening cycle continues. The more your character is fortified, the more enabled you are to exercise the power of faith.

And then here was my favorite part of the whole talk. You can, of course, imagine Elder Scott saying this in his calm, steady, reassuring voice:

No matter what occurs, no matter how topsy-turvy the world becomes, you can always have the sustaining power of faith. That will never change. The perfect love of your Father in Heaven will never change. His gospel plan gives life meaning and can assure your happiness. His plan is not only to prove yourself here on earth but also that you may receive the growth that comes from correct decisions prompted by faith, enabled by your obedience.

Why worry about future calamities or uncertainties over which you have no control? Your righteous character magnifies the probability that you will never have to suffer them. When challenges and testing do come, your faith will lead you to solutions.

He makes it sound so simple! And it is simple! The extent to which we trust Heavenly Father is the extent to which we'll find peace no matter what hard things we face. Elder Scott says it even better:

Your peace of mind, your assurance of answers to vexing problems, your ultimate joy depend upon your trust in Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.…Remember an unfailing, continual, ever-present source of peace and comfort is available to you. It is the certainty that your Father in Heaven loves you no matter what your circumstance, no matter what winds of trial, turmoil, or tribulation whirl about you. That certainty will never change. Your ability to access that support depends on the strength of your faith in Him and in His certain willingness to bless you.

I want and need the ability to access this certainty, this peace and comfort. I need it all the time! And I love the fact that it doesn't depend on me avoiding mistakes or muscling through challenges with more willpower or being a stronger person or anything like that. It just depends on my trust and faith, on me being willing to "try" that faith over and over, and leaving the ultimate outcome in God's hands. I think I can do that! Elder Scott makes me feel like I can.