On Wings of Faith (Story)

On Wings of Faith (The Articles of Faith)

Adapted from a talk by President Spencer W. Kimball, New Era, Oct. 1978 pg. 45, "The Privilege of Holding the Priesthood."

John was a twelve-year-old boy traveling by plane to California. He was all alone and sitting near the window watching the mountains below go by. Across the aisle from John was a businessman who was also going to California. His attention was drawn to this young boy traveling all alone without friends or relatives. The gentleman was quite impressed with how well-behaved the young boy was and how neatly he was dressed.

Finally, after some time, the gentleman crossed the aisle and sat down by the young man and said to him, "Hello, young man. I'm Mr. Blake." He extended his arm to shake hands and continued, "I'm on my way to Los Angeles. Where are you going?"

"I'm John," replied the boy, "and I'm going to Los Angeles, too. I'm going to visit my grandparents there. They will be meeting me at the terminal. I will be staying with them for a few days during school vacation."

"Where is your home, John?" asked Mr. Blake.

John replied, "Salt Lake City, Utah."

"Oh," said Mr. Blake, "you must be a Mormon then."

"Yes, I am," said John proudly. He was happy to have someone to talk to, making the travel time pass more quickly.

"Well, that's interesting," said Mr. Blake. "I've often wondered about the Mormons and just what they believe. I've been through your beautiful Salt Lake City. I've noticed the beautiful buildings and tree-lined streets, the lovely homes and beautiful rose and flower gardens. But I've never stopped to find out just what makes Mormons the way they are. I wish that I knew what they believe in their religion."

"Well, sir," said John, turning toward him, "I can tell you what we believe. 'We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.'"

The businessman was a bit surprised but listened attentively as John continued, "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.'"

This is rather unusual for such a young person to know these important things, thought Mr. Blake to himself.

John went on, "'We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be save, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.'"

"Just what laws and ordinances are you referring to?" asked Mr. Blake.

John went on, raising one finger at a time as he stated, "'We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.'"

"Why, that's wonderful!" said Mr. Blake. "I am impressed with how well you know the teachings of your church. I commend you. What else do you believe in your church?"

Having much such a good start and with Mr. Blake's encouragement, John continued, "We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof."

"That's very solid doctrine, my boy," said the gentleman. "I am curious now to know how these men are called of God. I can understand how they would receive the call and be established with the laying on of hands, but I wonder who has the authority to preach the Gospel and administer those ordinances you spoke of."

John and Mr. Blake discussed how men are called and sustained and the laying on of hands. Then the boy said, "Would you like to know more?"

Mr. Blake thought his was very unusual for such a young person to know what the Church taught, so he said, "Yes, please go on."

So John continued, "We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth."

This brought further discussion. "You mean that your church has apostles, such as James and John and Peter and Paul of the New Testament, and prophets such as Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Daniel in the Old Testament? And you also have evangelists?" Mr. Blake was very impressed that John was even aware of such a word.

Quickly, John responded, "Yes, apostles and prophets just like those found in the Bible. And in our church we call the evangelists patriarchs. Our patriarchs are called to serve anywhere there are stakes of the Church. They give what we call patriarchal blessing to worth members of the Church. A patriarchal blessing can help guide you all through your life. In fact, I'm looking forward to receiving my patriarchal blessing soon. We also have twelve apostles who have the same calling and the same authority that was given to the apostles in the day of the Bible."

John could see that Mr. Blake was giving this a good deal of thought. Then the gentleman leaned forward and said, "I've heard that you believe in modern-day revelation and prophecies and that some Mormons have even had the gift of speaking in tongues."

"Yes, that's right," said John, brightening up. "'We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc."

"That sounds like you believe in the same types of spiritual things we read about in the Bible," gasped Mr. Blake.

"We do!" said John excitedly. "'We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.'"

"Hm-m-m," said Mr. Blake, "Then you believe in both the scriptures and in modern revelation?"

"That's right," said John. "'We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." John paused for a moment and then seeing that he still had the undivided attention of Mr. Blake, he continued. "'We also believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.'"

They discussed the gathering of Israel briefly over glasses of juice and bags of peanuts brought by the stewardess. Then, seeing that Mr. Blake showed no interest in crossing the aisle back to his own seat, John asked, "Would you like to know more?"

Mr. Blake nodded. "How does your church feel about other religions?"

John replied, "'We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.'"

"Do you believe in loyalty to your country?" asked Mr. Blake.

"Oh, yes," replied John. "'We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.'"

"Do all Mormons believe in these things?" asked Mr. Blake. "They must be a very special people."

"Yes, we all do," replied John. "and we also believe 'in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--we believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.'"

John relaxed, feeling a warm glow come over him. He knew that he had been directed by the Holy Ghost. Mr. Blake was clearly amazed and excited not only at the ability of this young man to outline the whole program of the Church, but at the very completeness of its doctrine.

He said, "You know, John, after I have been to Los Angeles a couple of days, I expect to go back to New York where my office is. I am going to wire my company that I will be back a day or two late and that I am going to stop in Salt Lake City on the way back and go to the information bureau there. I'd like to hear more details about all the things you have told me. I am glad that you were so willing to share them with me. You're quite a young man!"