Now the joy of (Tova) was so great even that (she) was full; yea, (she) was swallowed up in the joy of (her) God, even to the exhausting of (her) strength; ...
Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness.
Maybe you have a testimony of something, maybe you don't. But the important thing is to acknowledge what you DO believe. Then try your best to get what you don't have.
We 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, we seek after these things.
This is the longest article of faith, and it is one of my favorites.
There was an article in the New Era (an LDS Youth magazine :)) that has some words from prophets and other church leaders about some of the key words/phrases:
We Believe
“[This]
article of our faith is one of the basic declarations of our theology.
We ought to reflect on it again and again. Then, whenever we might be
tempted to do anything shoddy or dishonest or immoral, there would come
into our minds with some force this great, all-encompassing statement of
the ethics of our behavior.”
President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008), “Fear Not to Do Good,” Ensign, Jan. 2000, 2.
Chaste
“Human
sexuality is more than a physical matter. Chastity and fidelity begin in
the spirit, not in the body. They are an expression of the condition of
our spirit. When our spirit is in tune with godly thinking and gospel
truths, we want to live high standards, and our actions reflect that
desire. Thus, chastity and fidelity are more than sexual abstinence
before marriage and sexual fidelity after marriage. They express the
quality of our spiritual life.”
Terrance D. Olson, “Truths of Moral Purity,” Ensign, Oct. 1998, 43.
To be benevolent is to be kind and giving, in a word—to do good. During His ministry Jesus Christ “went about doing good, … for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). As you live your life with benevolence, God will strengthen and uplift you.
Seek after These Things
Read the “Entertainment and Media” section in For the Strength of Youth
(page 17). Is the entertainment you choose consistent with these
standards and with the thirteenth article of faith? Consider writing in
your journal about how you have been blessed by making good media
choices.
Virtuous
“Virtue ‘is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards’ (Preach My Gospel,
118). It encompasses chastity and moral purity. Virtue begins in the
heart and in the mind. … It is the accumulation of thousands of small
decisions and actions. … Virtuous women and men possess a quiet dignity
and inner strength. They are confident because they are worthy to
receive and be guided by the Holy Ghost.”
Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women general president, “A Return to Virtue,” Ensign, Nov. 2008, 78–80
I think that these are excellent thoughts about this article.
Here are a couple of other connections I had:
Admonition of Paul
When it refers to the 'admonition of Paul' it's talking about this scripture: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are atrue, whatsoever things arebhonest, whatsoever things arecjust, whatsoever things aredpure, whatsoever things areelovely, fwhatsoever things are of good report; if there be any gvirtue, and if there be any praise, hthink on these things. (KJV)
Honesty
And that is the last article of faith. The last statement that sums up the belief of us Latter-Day Saints.
I hope this has helped with understanding the Articles of Faith, and what Mormons believe in and helped make them seem real, instead of just words on a screen.
