The Cure for Dwindling in Unbelief

A phrase from the Book of Mormon has always caught my attention: "yea, they did dwindle in unbelief". The word dwindle suggests a slow but continual action. I have pondered this condition and have observed its consequences in others' lives. People stop reading their scriptures. They stop saying their prayers. These two important faith building behaviors cut the person off from spiritual insights and from daily spiritual sustenance. They begin to forget those spiritual experiences where they knew the Almighty. They begin to doubt His existence and His purpose. The world becomes more attractive to them. They become casual in other aspects of their spiritual commitments. And then one day they wake up and say there is no God, there is no purpose for this life, I never knew of any revelation.

The scriptures are full of commands to remember, remember. And what is it we are to remember?

I have some basic pillars that I like to remember and that keep me on this faith path. I cannot ever deny the existence of God. I have felt on more than one occaision his hand in my life. I cannot deny the strength the scriptures provide me. I remember those feelings I have when my prayers have been answered. I remember the joy I felt when I knew that I had been forgive and that I would continue to be forgiven if I repented.

But the path for the pilgrim means continuing, enduring, proceeding. I do not want to be one who dwindles. I want to be counted with the faithful. And to paraphrase my mother's mantra: faithful is as faithful does.