Local Leader Message
A New Year with Faith in Christ
“Having faith doesn’t mean nothing bad is going to happen. It means that you and I will walk in faith instead of fear.”
The beginning of a New Year is usually a time of great excitement for all of us. It’s a time for us to reflect on what we have learnt and at the same time many of us set New Year’s resolutions. The year 2020 was no different. Many of us set goals and laid our resolutions—however in a few weeks’ time most countries announced lockdowns as the novel coronavirus started skipping from country to country. In no time, airports were closed, borders were blocked, shops were shuttered—and before long, church buildings were empty. Without warning we found our lives completely changed.
As the days progressed to weeks and weeks turned into months, we all started seeing the devastating effects of this pandemic. On the news there were constant announcements of lives lost, job losses and even the psychological effects that the virus was having on individuals and families alike. Amidst all this, the one place that was never closed or under lockdown was heaven.
My brothers and sisters, we mourn with those who have lost loved ones and pray for those who are going through different kinds of struggles. Please don’t let the adversary turn your faith into fear. We read in the Area Plan that we are to “increase faith in Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ and His Atonement”.
Some of you may be concerned and anxious about the future; some even outright fearful. The Apostle Paul speaking to his young friend Timothy taught, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7). I have learned with time that the adversary uses fear and discouragement while, in contrast, a loving Father in Heaven expects us to go forward with faith.
I have a dear friend named Thabiso Sehloho, whom I have known for over 15 years now, and from whom I have learned a great deal watching him go through life. He joined the Church at 18 years, having been brought up by a single mother. As a young man he showed great promise as a soccer player and even represented his country at the under-20 level and had a great future ahead of him. Initially, he battled with the idea of going away to serve a mission for two years, but as his testimony strengthened, he knew what he needed to do.
When the time came, he left a promising football career to serve a mission; returned home and found himself a faithful wife and started his work life. Many of his friends had views on the order in which he should have done things. He, however, walked in faith ignoring the many worldly voices but instead he put his trust in his Father in Heaven. Years later he would go on to complete his university education after having served in different leadership assignments where he was able to touch so many lives.
He has touched my life just because of his simple faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He has learnt to block out the many voices that sometimes so easily get us distracted. This could be in the form of social media, news outlets, and just being preoccupied with so many things that we find ourselves having to deal with. In faith he seems to have mastered the Lord’s admonition, “Be still and know that I am God” (D&C 101:16).
My brothers and sisters, may I suggest that we do four things to help us increase our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, especially during these times of uncertainty.
Pray.
Sincerely pray to Heavenly Father to help you increase your faith in Him and in His Son, Jesus Christ. This should be more than a casual prayer but one in which we pour out our hearts to Him and ask Him to help us to develop the kind of faith that will help us make our journey through mortality and safely return to Him and His Son. He knows us and will certainly answer our prayers.
Follow the teachings of living prophets and apostles.
We are privileged to live in a day and time when prophets walk the earth as they did in ancient times. These men are living oracles of God who point us to Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ.
President Russell M. Nelson taught, “Our Father knows that when we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear, what will help us the very most is to hear His Son.
“Because when we seek to hear—truly hear—His Son, we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance.” 1
Feast upon the scriptures.
Don’t just nibble, don’t just casually read a verse or two but immerse yourself in the scriptures and as you do so you will be blocking out all other influences and inviting the spirit of the Lord into your heart and into your homes. By doing this we will be making our homes a sanctuary of faith and through studying the scriptures we will hear Him. The very Jesus who rebuked the winds and the sea when His disciples came to Him all fearful, will rebuke the doubt and fear that we may face in our day and time (see Matthew 8:25–27).
Stay on the covenant path.
We are all at different stages on the covenant path and should not get discouraged as we look at others along that path. The covenant path is not a joy ride—it is made up of ups and downs; joy and sadness. It is tailormade for each of us. We must be careful not to stand along the path and wonder why some seem happier than us, why our challenges seem harder than those of others whom we may meet along the way.
My brothers and sisters, having faith doesn’t mean nothing bad is going to happen. It means that you and I will walk in faith instead of fear. It means that we will trust in Him and in His perfect plan when everything else may not seem like it’s in its perfect setting. It means that we will choose faith over doubt. As we go forward, it is my prayer that each of us will “seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written” (Ether 12:41). I witness that as we do so, our faith will increase, and we will walk through mortality trusting Him whose sons and daughters we are.
Clement M. Matswagothata was named an Area Seventy in April 2018. He is married to Busisiwe Novelty Buthelezi; they are the parents of three children. Elder and Sister Matswagothata reside in Gaborone, Botswana.