My friend was discussing dating woes with a few co workers recently. As the discussion progressed she promised that she would pray for them. She did. For a couple of weeks she prayed often if not daily for the success of her friends in this endeavor. My friend was hopeful that something might happen. The other day her coworker brought his girlfriend for her to meet. A few days later the other coworker also introduced a new girl to her. Both coworkers expressed gratitude for her faith and prayers that they felt had benefited their life. She asked, “Did my faith really cause these things to happen?”
Mosiah 8:18 of the Book of Mormon says, “Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings.” My life has benefited as both as a benefactor and a beneficiary of faith. As I have practiced exercising my faith, I have seen miracles. Perhaps as we illustrate these examples it will answer our question of whether her faith provided a miracle.
One example that comes readily to mind is the life of a dear Pennsylvanian friend from my mission. For years this man and his family met with several sets of missionaries. He exercised his faith as he tried to discover God’s will for him. He read and prayed. He came to church. Progress would slow down a bit, but time and again more missionaries showed their faith by going back to his home. Meanwhile, hundreds of prayers were offered by those of us who had already returned home, as well as other members and friends in the area. Across the US, in Provo, Utah, I personally tried to use my faith by praying, myself, and adding their family to the prayer roll every two we
eks. Members who faithfully attended the temple joined their faith as they prayed for him. In my opinion, the Lord eventually responded to the faith of His children and the man and other members of his family have since joined the church. Faith of others contributed to a miracle.
Growing up, money was often tight. My parents realized that we didn’t have transportation to and from church. My dad became inventive and built a bike cart for us all to take. He would put his wife and kids in that cart and would peddle an hour each way to church. He did this even in the warm Arizona heat. Why? Because my parents had faith that the gospel of Jesus Christ would bless their family. They acted in any way they could to cause those blessings to enter our lives. My parents’ faith benefited my own testimony. I saw how important it was to them, and over time it gradually became that important to me.
Christ shared the ultimate expression of faith that acted as a benefit to all mankind. His faith in Father’s plan allowed Him to fulfill the atonement. This atonement provided a way for each of God’s children, to return to His presence. This atonement provided a means for us to repent and change. His faith made it possible for us to live again. His faith changed the course not of only of our life on earth, but of our eternity.
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Was it my friend’s faith that changed the course of her coworkers dating life? I don’t know, but what I do know is that it is possible that our faith can change people’s lives. My faith joined with many others helped a family find the truth. My parents’ faith helped me to find the joy and commitment of keeping the commandments. My Savior’s faith helped me find my way home.
My invitation to my friend, and all of us, is to simply keep using that faith. If nothing else you will develop spiritual muscles. How have you been the benefactor of someone else’s faith? How will your faith benefit your fellow men today?
Ashley Dewey is extremely talented at being single. Hobbies include awkward conversations with members of the opposite sex, repelling third dates, talking to boys about their girl problems and to girls about their boy problems. In her spare time she also has a very fulfilling school life, work life, and social life.
Besides being a professional single, Ashley is also a BYU graduate with a degree in linguistics (Aka word nerd). She enjoys studying other languages, particularly American Sign Language, and finds most all of them fascinating. She is currently pursuing a masters degree in Teaching English as a Second Language.
Ashley works most of the time and has often been accused of being a workaholic. Currently she works full time as a merchandiser and supervisor in a retail store, and part time doing social media work. On her day off she works (really it doesn't feel like work) in the Provo LDS temple. The only kind of work she finds difficulty focusing on is house work.
Her favorite activities in her free time are reading, writing, creating social experiments, and spending time with great friends and family. Specific activities with those family and friends include: going to concerts, plays, dance recitals, BYU basketball and football games, and watching sports on television.
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