"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:7

A very dear friend of mine and family member shared with me his experience of joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had been attending The Church for approximately 6 years and had finally decided he either needed to join or stop attending. He spent many hours on a rock by the sea waiting for an answer about whether or not it was true. I asked him about this experience because I wanted to know if he had received an answer to his prayers that day. He remarked that he didn't receive an answer that day, but joined The Church anyway. He then said the answer came after he joined.

I continue to ponder this experience of my friend. He was willing to change his entire life without a "clear answer." He sacrificed a great deal to join The Church. He was rejected by his family and his mother never spoke to him again before she died. He did all of this on an act of faith. He ended up receiving his answer. It was after he was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He told me that sometimes you receive answers "after the trial of your faith".

We all want our prayers to be answered. And wouldn't it be so wonderful if they were answered in miraculous ways and clearly laid out so there was no mistaking what God wanted us to do? Not really, because we would be short changed of the growth that comes from exercising faith in our Father in Heaven and in His Son, Jesus Christ. "...The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth" (1 Peter 1:7). More precious than gold.  You can't buy faith. And faith is more valuable than gold.

You know, people pay a lot of money for education, especially a private education. A private elementary education can cost as much as college tuition. That's pricey. There is a way to get a private education though, with no cost to you, except your time, and sacrifice of heart. That private education  is of course from the Lord.

 "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend and ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have."

(2 Nephi 28:30; see also Isaiah 28:10)

He wants us to learn of Him (D&C 19:23) and sometimes the only way to be educated about Him is to have a "trial of our faith", for His people will be a "tried in all things" (D&C 136:31), and this includes our faith. Having had my own faith tried and knowing that I am being educated by the Master, this I testify, is what makes life good, filled with joy, and "more precious than gold", even when it is hard. 

"Therefore, he that lacketh wisdom, let him ask of me, and I will give him liberally and upbraid him not." D&C 42:68

Today I was able to see Joseph Smith's birth place in the state of Vermont (Joseph Smith's birthplace). It was a place of quiet calm and beauty. I am so grateful I was able to go there today with my in-laws and my husband. Let me tell you why.

As we drove onto the grounds there was a very different feeling, my blood pressure dropped about 20 to 40 degrees (does it drop by degrees?) We got out and were able to walk around. There is a visitors center there and you can have a short tour given by a missionary who will explain a lot of history and facts about the Smith family and their lives. Joseph Smith came from a very spiritual family who had a lot of faith and believed in Jesus Christ. He was taught to believe in Jesus Christ all his life. His family had many hardships financially over the years and they were forced to move a great deal which led him to move to New York.

On the grounds is a memorial that has been erected in honor of Joseph Smith. It is 38 1/2 feet tall, each foot representing a year of Joseph Smith's life until he was martyred. Around the top of the base is the scripture which led Joseph to seek for God's help in asking which church to join. James 1:5 reads: "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally; and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him". This scripture is so powerful! It is a part of God's pattern for all men to find truth. Here was a young man, at the age of 14 who had the faith to ask God, believing that he would receive an answer about what he should do. It made all the difference.

It is a pattern that we too can follow. It is simple. If we lack wisdom, ask God. Sometimes we may feel that we aren't receiving an answer and there is a lead ceiling there. Sometimes, we need to act in faith first and then the answer will come. The pattern is to ask in faith, believing that you will receive. (Note that you must lack wisdom. If you can find the wisdom and have the ability to get it, the Lord will more than likely want you to go out and find the answer, such as how to get an education, how to tie your shoes, how to cook, things that are available to us with a little bit of help, He will guide us, but He also wants us to use our brains.) Heavenly Father loves all of his children, no matter what religion, no matter what their background, no matter where they are. He wants all of them to come back to Him and He wants to hear from us. ASK and you will be guided.

Joseph Smith was a prophet. He saw God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. This I testify is true.  And this knowledge and wisdom has changed my life. It will change yours, too.