Unshakable Faith

I had a great experience yesterday with one of our Single Branch members that we were visiting. He is an awesome kid with a great desire to follow Christ and keep His commandments. I just finished the Book of Mormon a few weeks ago. But yesterday, we read the first chapter of the first Book of Nephi together and a lot of things stood out to me. As we were discussing what we read with one another we both pointed out the same verse, where it says: "And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them." (1Nephi 1:19) When Lehi prayed with all his heart to the Lord, he beheld a vision where he read a book concerning the destruction of Jerusalem. When he received this vision he went to his people and prophesied of the things that he saw and heard . The people mocked him and even sought to kill him. This particular verse can relate to us in these days. When we do the things that we know to be right and good, others will judge, criticize, or try to make us look bad. And sometimes we even get disowned or rejected by our loved ones. I was reading a story in the Ensign magazine about a lady with unshakable faith and a great testimony who set a great example by staying strong in what she believed to be true. Her name was Rebecca Swain Williams from Pennsylvania, the youngest of 10 children. In the fall of 1830 the first missionaries arrived in Kirtland and started teaching her. After many meetings with the missionaries she was baptized and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of her hopes was that her family would accept the gospel and receive the many blessings that it offers. However, her conversion infuriated her father. She did not turn back or give up. "Despite her family's hostility toward the Church, this early convert remained faithful and devoted to the work." Because of her great acts of service for those around her and her love for the gospel, her testimony and faith were unshakable. She continued to share the gospel with her family no matter what and strove to fulfill the promises that she had made with Heavenly Father. And those promises are being "willing to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort, stand as witnesses of God at all times, all places, all things, serve him, and keep His commandments." (Mosiah 18:9-10) Bishop Richard C. Edgley, First Counselor in the presiding Bishopric stated in his last October General Conference: "Because of the conflicts and challenges we face in today's world, I wish to suggest a single choice--a choice of peace and protection and a choice that is appropriate for all. That choice is faith. So I say, choose faith. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism." It is my prayer that we will "be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works"(Mosiah 5:15) that we will grow in faith and love for the gospel.