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Be Faithful and Competent

 During my study this week I was really taken by this quote given by Elder Richard L. Evans, "You know, it is a wonderful thing to be faithful, but a much greater thing to be both faithful and competent. There is no particular virtue in being uninformed, certainly no virtue in ignorance. When young people can acquire the skills, the techniques, and the knowledge of these times, and along with it have a spiritual commitment and a solid faith and cleanliness of life, there is nothing that you can't achieve; nothing in righteousness or in reason." I love how straightforward he states this, "...be both faithful and competent." I have known people who believe that if they have enough faith then things will get done. In my experience, I don't believe that to be true. Faith is what motivates you to get things done. To have faith is the driving force behind your actions. You have faith in order to accomplish your goals. To just have faith, to just believe; it isn't enough. You have to believe and work. You have to have faith and be competent. You have to be able to do what you have faith in.

It is hard to have faith and be ready to put forth the action and not knowing what direction you need to go in. This is how it feels for me, but I am ready. I have the faith that I can do this and I am always ready to work hard, but where do I go? I have ideas, or better put, I have high hopes of what I want to do. Honestly, I have no idea how I will get there. It's scary. It is almost too scary, to the point that I don't even want to start. But, I know if I don't start then I won't get there. I won't get anywhere if I stay here - in fear. 

I am excited to take this class, Intro to Entrepreneurship. I have faith that it will give me knowledge, skills and tips on how to continue on the journey. I intend to couple this class with my spiritual study. I know that if I do the work that allows me to have the daily companionship of the Holy Ghost, then I will be guided to know which direction to go. I have been here before, but on a different journey. Back in 2018 I was diagnosed with IBS. Unfortunately, the medical field has little knowledge on how to effectively help people who suffer from IBS. My doctor gave me a few suggestions and some medications to try. I wasn't sure that what was given to me would be helpful. It was frustrating, because I was still suffering and the people who were supposed to be able to help me really couldn't. During general conference of October 2018, President Russell M. Nelson issued a challenge to all of the sisters. He said, "I invite you to read the Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year...if you will accept this invitation with full purpose of heart, the Lord will help you and find a way to achieve it. And, as you prayerfully study, I promise that the heavens will open for you. The Lord will bless you with increased inspiration and revelation." I accepted his invitation. His promise came true. I was blessed with increased inspiration and revelations and I was continually guided to was that helped me manage my IBS. This experience has greatly increased my testimony of faith is an action word. 

 The beginning of every journey is filled with hesitancy and fear, but we must not allow it to fully stop us from continuing. As we continue on this journey and we work in spiritual study and academic study we will build our faith and our competency. I still don't know what is at the end of this path, or how the Lord needs my efforts; but I am ready for this journey of faith-building work. 

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