Faith is Dynamic
The other night as I read into the Book of Mormon, I turned to the book of Ether, wherein is this remarkable passage:
Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God. (Ether 12:4.)
As I pondered the meaning of an anchor, I was impressed that faith is that anchor. It is a wonderful thing to be anchored to the truth of Almighty God through faith which bids us to know that he lives. But faith is more than an anchor. As a matter of fact, if I have a theme for these few minutes, it centers in the thought of the faith which impels us to action. Faith is a dynamic thing. Faith is an adventurous term.
I was so much impressed a couple of nights ago with the declaration of PeeWee Reese, the great little shortstop of the Brooklyn Dodgers. (In case anyone did not get the word during the noon hour today, the Dodgers won again.) You will remember in this series, the Yanks had taken the first two games, and historically the record seemed to indicate that no team which ever lost the first two games ever came back to take the series. So the commentator asked PeeWee Reese what he thought of that.
“Well,” said Reese, “I know what the record is, but sometime it ought to be broken, and I believe we have the team this year to do it.”—I do not want to be a partisan.
As a matter of fact, faith exists in every field of activity. It is faith—it is confidence—that risk everything for the pearl of great price. The scientist watching the test tube doe sit in terms of faith. The men these days who are searching for a cure against polio have been following the lead of faith these many years. A neighbor of mine devotes his entire life and plans to dedicate his life to the search for something that will prevent the hardening of the arteries. It is faith that prompts men to move toward their coveted goal always. Really, it is faith that prompts a teacher to try to inspire students with the thought that there is a better life ahead.
I wish I had the magic to give to the teachers of our own schools, and to all others, the precious formula that was given to me when first we went east to go on with advanced training. My mother, who had none of it, said, “All right son, get all of it you can.” Then she gave me a farewell message that has rung in my ears ever since: “Get all the learning you can, son, but don’t ever let it destroy your faith.” God bless her for that admonition. (Adam S. Bennion, “The Faith Which Impels to Action,” General Conference, October 2, 1955, in The Candle of the Lord [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1958], 38-40)