Weakness into Strength

Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

I have always read this verse understanding that God can help our weaknesses become strengths.  However, tonight as I was studying this verse I noticed that the word "weaknesses" isn't used, it is singular "weakness".    I've always had my list in my head that would pop up everytime I read this verse that had all the things that I have struggled with or could improve on.  But tonight I see another meaning in the verse.  "Men" is used to speak of all human kind collectively and "weakness" refers to the fallen state of all mankind.  We all are weak in that we cannot overcome sin and death without the power of our Savior.  The infinite atonement  is sufficent to provide grace to all people that humble themselves before God and have faith that Jesus does have the power to save and heal.  After we recognize our truly fallen state in relation to our eternal lives and truly believe that God, through his Son can and will help us, then we change our hearts from sinful to obedient and our death is overcome by resurrection.  And that is where the strength lies-- in the Atonement of Christ. 

Fear and Feeble Knees

While researching my talk for this Sunday, I ended up reading Elder Marvin J. Ashton's talk from 1991 about "Strengthening the Feeble Knees." I remember talking about this talk in my seminary class when I was in high school and it seems to apply more even now than it did then.  Here are some excerpts from the talk that go right along with a conversation I had with a friend yesterday.

There is a phrase used four times in the standard works which has always intrigued me. It is the expression “feeble knees.”

By definition, feeble means weak, not strong, without force, easily broken, frail.

When Frederick G. Williams was called to be a counselor to Joseph Smith, he was given this charge: “Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” (D&C 81:5.)

Coupled with the word strengthen, which is to make or become stronger, the phrase led me to contemplate the meaning of these words.

Early on, I assumed “feeble knees” meant weak or exhausted. However, the context of its use in Isaiah (see Isa. 35:3–4) suggests that it may have a somewhat richer meaning, something more like fearful. I actually favor this latter interpretation. Today we often hear such expressions as “weak in the knees” or “knocking knees” to denote fear.

It would seem that no one escapes some uncertainty, insecurity, doubt, and even fear. This mortal existence is invariably challenging and unpredictable. An honest person who is acquainted with the characteristics of life cannot ever be completely confident that his circumstances will not change unexpectedly.

How do we deal with the inevitable moments of fear or “feeble knees”? It is vital that we not face them alone. Always it is helpful and comforting to be able to confide in a loving and trusted friend or relative who empathetically listens to our uncertainties. We often find that our confidant has experienced similar fears, and we may even share in his wise counsel.

Life is never easy, and we cannot escape our own case of feeble knees from time to time. It is thus essential that we love and support one another.

Favorite Quotes from the talk:

•  Anger is a poor substitute for self-mastery and compassionate service.
• Sabbath days can be lost an hour at a time.
• A "coach told his players, “Life isn’t always fair, but we can still expect excellence from ourselves.”

Discipleship

The blessings of discipleship are readily available to all who are willing to pay the price. Discipleship brings purpose to our lives so that rather than wandering aimlessly, we walk steadily on that strait and narrow way that leads us back to our Heavenly Father. Discipleship brings us comfort in times of sorrow, peace of conscience, and joy in service—all of which help us to be more like Jesus.  James E Faust

Move Forward in Faith

Moving Forward in Faith
Shortly after President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was called as a General Authority, he went to Elder Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) for counsel. President Packer recalled:

“He listened very carefully to my problem and suggested that I see President David O. McKay [1873–1970]. President McKay counseled me as to the direction I should go. I was very willing to be obedient but saw no way possible for me to do as he counseled me to do.

“I returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to move in the direction I was counseled to go. He said, ‘The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.’ I replied that I would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the lesson of a lifetime: ‘You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you.’”2

As children of our Heavenly Father, we sometimes want to understand in detail the things that we must accept or accomplish in faith. However, we don’t need to understand all things. We just need to step forward as the Lord has asked us to do and as the priests of the Israelites did in entering the overflowing River Jordan. Although we cannot see or understand all things, the Lord will help us walk on dry ground if we are “strong and of a good courage.”

We will have the power to stand strong as we live by His words—seeking and following His guidance in the scriptures and from His servants. Yes, we live “in enemy territory,”3 but the enemy cannot conquer the Lord, our Savior, who was sent to help us and to save us.