Elder Scott taught about "Transforming Power of Faith and Character,"

We know that in the mission we are going to have many wonderful spiritual experiences as we go about the work of bringing souls unto Christ. We are also going to pass through some very challenging times. As we reflect upon the words of Elder Amado that with every change we will experience a particular challenge in one form or another to increase our faith.

We learned this past week in our zone conferences about the life of Nephi and how he was at his very best in terms of faithfulness to the Lord, obedience with exactness, and diligence in the most difficult and challenging of times. How was he able to do it?

In his talk entitled, “The Transforming Power of Faith and Character” Elder Richard G. Scott teaches a very powerful principle in regards to developing strength of character to continue to be faithful, obedient and diligent in challenging times.

“Faith and character are intimately related. Faith in the power of obedience to the commandments of God 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 intended to be used. Your exercise of faith in true principles builds character; fortified character expands your capacity to exercise more faith. As a result, your capacity and confidence to conquer the trials of life is enhanced. The more your character is fortified, the more enabled you are to benefit from exercising the power of faith. You will discover how faith and character interact to strengthen one another. Character is woven patiently from threads of applied principle, doctrine, and obedience.”

In the past I have used the example of bank account when describing the relationship that exists between to missionaries in a companionship. When they love and serve each other and work together in unity and harmony, they make deposits in the account. When the account has plenty of deposits in it, the relationship can withstand any great challenge or trial.

Elder Scott teaches us that when we exercise faith unto obedience with exactness consistently on a daily basis, we will develop the strength of character that we can draw from in times of great challenge and temptation. Our own personal account of faith and character will be sufficeintly full to see us through any trial or challenge. The same faith we exercise in being obedient to the little things in the mission will grow to be a powerful source of strength in times when our faith may be tested in the form of a progressing investigator no longer wanting to be taught, not finding any new people teach, or not having any baptisms for extended period of time. These are the moments where consistently being obedient with exactness to the commandments and the mission rules will give us the power to press forward with a steadfastness in Christ… (2 Nephi 31:20) to accomplish what the Lord wants us to accomplish.

It is my prayer that we will exercise great faith in Jesus Christ that will provide us the power “to do miracles according to God´s will. Faith is a principle of power. God works by power, but His power is usually excercised in response to faith (see Moroni 10:7) (Preach My Gospel pg.116).

We love you and pray for your success,