Me: “How do you gain confidence?”
He answered uncertainly, “I don’t know.”
Me: “Come on, think about it. How do you gain confidence?”
His response was tentative, “I don’t know.”
Me: “What’s one thing you are really good at?”
“Archery!” he replied, his enthusiasm evident.
Me: “Oh, how do you know you’re good at archery?”
“Well, I shot a bullseye and aced my archery test!” he answered with pride.
Me: “How did you get so good at archery?”
“I practiced, watched others who are good, and listened to the coaches. I tried to follow their advice,” he explained.
Seeking to delve deeper, I asked, “Is that all I need to do to gain confidence?”
He pondered, “Why do you need confidence? Are you looking for another job?” To him, confidence seemed to be a prerequisite for job searching.
“No,” I clarified, “I’m just curious about how I can gain more confidence.”
He observed thoughtfully, “You have everything you need — nice cars, a nice house, a wife who loves you, good kids, and enough money. Jesus has really blessed you! With all that, why do you need more confidence?”
I decided to challenge his perspective a bit more. “How can I be confident that you will get good grades? And how can you be confident that you can get good grades?”
“Well if I study and do my homework…” he began.
“And turn it in,” I interjected.
“Yes, and turn it in, then I will get good grades,” he concluded.
“So, if I see you doing those things, can I be confident that you will get good grades?” I pressed.
“Yes!” he affirmed.
Continuing our probing conversation, I asked, “Can you be confident in Christ?”
Without hesitation, he replied, “Of course, He’s our Lord and Savior!”
“How does knowing that, give you confidence?” This is what I really wanted to know.
His simple answer: “It just does!”
Sometimes I think I should turn to my son for all my gospel-related questions. At 12, his faith is stronger than mine ever was at that age. I don’t mean to brag—well, maybe a little, as I did teach him what he knows! But in truth, we’re simply trying our best as parents. We excel at family prayer each evening, though mornings prove more challenging, and scripture study sometimes slips through the cracks. Despite this, Clark has ignited a new enthusiasm for the scriptures.
My Sunday school class’s discussion on Hebrews brought a new insight: Paul encouraged the Hebrews to approach Christ with boldness and confidence, rooted in their understanding of His role as our Savior and Redeemer. This concept struck a chord, as I’ve long struggled with self-confidence. Clark’s approach to archery—perseverance, observation, and practice—mirrors the spiritual journey he unknowingly advises.
Enos’s account in the Book of Mormon echoes this sentiment. He followed the spiritual blueprint laid out by his parents, leading to a profound experience of prayer and divine response that affirmed God’s unwavering truth.
To build confidence in Christ and approach Him with boldness, I need to embrace the lessons of faith, apply them, and be willing to trust in the outcomes. This isn’t just a one-time effort; it’s an ongoing process that shapes our character over time.
Confidence in Christ is born from a solid foundation of faith, initially inherited from our parents but then honed through personal devotion and reflection. It’s bolstered by adherence to commandments and the companionship of the Spirit. Regular worship and the sacrament serve as weekly affirmations of our commitment, while service to others reflects Christ’s love and solidifies our spiritual resilience. Seeking guidance from the Holy Ghost, enduring trials with faith, and heeding prophetic counsel further cement this confidence. For Latter-day Saints, temple worship enhances our comprehension of sacred truths, amplifying our spiritual fortitude. Sharing our faith not only strengthens our convictions but also fortifies others’. Documenting our spiritual journey through journaling can provide a tangible testament to God’s presence in our lives.
This journey of building confidence in Christ requires diligent, heartfelt dedication to understanding His teachings and actively living them. It’s a gradual transformation, marked by deepening reliance on the Atonement and an enriched recognition of His love and grace.
My son’s strong faith at just 12 really gets me thinking. We’re not perfect as parents; we sometimes skip our scripture study, but we never miss our family prayers at night. And it makes me realize: if he can hit bullseyes in archery with enough practice, I can aim to boost my faith in the same way.
Take Enos from the Book of Mormon—he shows us it’s about diving deep into prayer and living the teachings we know. It’s a continuous effort, not just a once-and-done deal.
So here’s what I’m thinking: let’s try to be more like Clark! Let’s make it a point to pray, study the scriptures, and really try to walk in Jesus’s footsteps. And when we stumble, we’ll remember it’s all part of getting better. Maybe we could even keep a note of the good things that happen along the way, as little reminders.
To wrap it up, I’m inviting you (and me) to give this a go. Let’s build our faith step by step, like working out or mastering a new skill. We can lean on each other to make our faith stronger, just like Clark with his archery. So, how about it—ready to take aim?
Living the Good News 