A ‘Leap’ In The Dark? Hardly!

TheDiscipleMD
This year in Febuary there was a special day. It comes only once every four years. It is the 29th of the month.  It is principally called “leap” day because it’s addition causes every future day after it to skip over a day of the week. Thus the first of March two years ago was on a Tueday. Last year it skipped Wednesday and was on a Thursday. Our earth doesn’t orbit the sun in exactly 365 days so it is necessary to add an extra day, February 29th, every four years in order to keep our calendar from drifting over the course of time. It’s a small time corrective measure that is of great value and worth.

What is a common use of the word “leap” when it comes to faith? I quote an interesting take on such a concept.
“Faith is a belief in testimony. It is not a leap in the dark. God does not ask any man to believe without giving him something to believe in. You might as well ask a man to see without eyes, as bid him believe without giving him something to believe.” (D. L. Moody, as quoted in Quote, The Weekly Digest, 19 July 1964, p. 5.)
Now, I happen to subscribe to Mr. Moody’s statement that faith is not a leap in the dark but rather a belief in testimony. It really isn’t “blind” obedience as some would like to define it as. No, my faith, at least, is based on something! That ‘something’ is the testimonies of others, as well as my own personal experience. Both support my testimony of the existence of God and His plan. Those “other” testimonies are found in the scriptures, both the Old and New Testament. “Other” testimonies are found in the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pear of Great Price. Other testimonies I rely upon were given by early church leaders such as Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and scores of others. Still “others” are found in addresses given at our conferences both local and general. “Others” are closer to home. They are in testimonies I have heard from my Father and Mother, my siblings, my relatives, my spouse, and children.
In the end the great giver of all truth to build a testimony is found in communion with God himself. What did James say?
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all man liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5)”Faith is a belief in testimony, It is not a leap in the dark”. It behooves us then, to strive to read, listen and learn from others testimonies. Then act upon and gain one ourself through the gift and power of the Holy Ghost as promised by James. Then we can have faith that our testimonies are valid and that the promises given by ancient and modern prophets are true. Then we can walk hand in hand with Christ in the light, not leaping forward into the darkness; not knowing whence we go or where we land. We can have “faith in our footsteps” and conviction in our walk as we gain belief in the testimonies oF others and in that of our own.

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