Faith

1. Definition:
1. 1828: In theology, the assent of the mind or understanding to the truth of what God has revealed. Simple belief of the scriptures, of the being and perfections of God, and of the existence, character and doctrines of Christ, founded on the testimony of the sacred writers, is called historical or speculative faith; a faith little distinguished from the belief of the existence and achievements of Alexander or of Cesar.
1. Understanding (mastery)
2. Truth (faithfulness)
3. Belief (principle)
1. Faith is gaining a mastery of true principles, generally found in the scriptures or gospel of a religion. It something one does, not something one has. Faith is the process while testimony is the result.
2. Quotes:
1. “To have faith in God is not knowing that God exists or knowing that he will act, rather it is that the one with emunah (faith) will act with firmness toward God's will.” (Jeff A Benner)
1. Faith is doing. Doing something because of a belief you have. To have real faith in Christ you must do as He would have you do.
2. “And so it is with our eternal journey. We take one step at a time. In doing so we reach toward the unknown, but faith lights the way. If we will cultivate that faith, we shall never walk in darkness.” (Gordon B. Hinkley)
1. Faith is a guiding force. If you are using your faith, you are allowing God to direct you. Anything you do by faith is allowing God to direct you and to lead you.
3. Scriptures:
1. “Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity.” (Moroni 10:20)
1. Faith is essential, but it is important to remember that it is an action based on hope. Hope is confidence in God and His promises. Hope comes from Charity, which is honest love of others. If one seeks to have faith, one must first have charity.
2. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18)
1. Again, faith is action. One cannot have faith because it is more like a verb than a noun. to really have faith, you must be actively serving and being a good person. It is the application of charity.
4. Personal Definition:

To have faith is to do. To do things which your Father asks. It is a mastery of true principles. It is a force that can guide and direct you. Faith is acting of hope, which comes from charity. Faith is the direct application of the pure love of Christ.

Force

1. Definition
1. 1828: Strength; active power; vigor; might; energy that may be exerted; that physical property in a body which may produce action or motion in another body, or may counteract such motion.
1. Strength (power)
2. Power (might)
3. Might (energy)
1. Force is power or energy in a state of motion, not hypothetical, something very tangible and real
2. Quotes from Prophets
1. “Knowing and remembering who we are and whose we are, we become guided by a force affecting our attitude and our conduct. We draw close to our Father in Heaven through sacred ordinances and covenants available only through His restored church.” (ARDETH G. KAPP, General Conference, April 1992)
1. Force is not necessarily a bad thing. Force can be something large and evil (like the Nazi’s) or it can be small and calm (like the Holy Ghost).
2. “Free agency requires that there must be a choice. There must be an opposing force. There is no growth, no movement, no accomplishment or progress without overcoming an opposing force.” (ELDRED G. SMITH, General Conference, October 1971)
1. At first thought one might think of force as the opposite of agency. In one form, it is. But really a force is not good nor evil. It takes no sides, everything that is has force on some other thing. Force is required for Agency.
3. Scriptures
1. “The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.” (Ezekiel 34:4)
1. I cannot say it enough. Force can be good and bad. Here is shown a bad form of force. Cruelty. Unrighteous dominion.
4. Personal Definition

When I started writing this I thought that it would be an evil word. A word with a corrupt principle behind it. Not so. Force is the physical and measurable energy of something. It can be both good and bad, large and small, loud and soft-spoken. It is an essential part of our heavenly fathers plan. But as Ezekiel laments, it can be cruel. All and all I think that force is what I call a “redefinable word”. It’s definition changes as the circumstances change.

Focus

1. Definition:
1. 1828:
1. In optics, a point in which any number of rays of light meet, after being reflected or refracted; as the focus of a lens.
2. A central point; point of concentration.
1. Point (direction)
2. Reflected (demonstrate)
3. Concentration (attentiveness)
1. The focus of something is the point at which things relate with each other.
2. Quotes:
1. “Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” (Alexander Graham Bell)
1. Focus provides the level of involvement in something that allows you to cause change efficiently.
2. “Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.” (Zig Ziglar)
1. I love this quote. For me it shows the need we have to direct ourselves. If you truly focus yourself on the task at hand, you will find that you have far more time to complete more.
3. “My main focus is on my game.” (Tiger Woods)
1. Why take a swimming class for a philosophy major?
3. Scriptures:
1. “Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32: 3)
1. It is essential for us to focus on those things which are important to, and for us. The Gospel of Christ is the most important thing for us to focus on. The amazing thing about this is that as we focus on Christ, He will show us the other ways we need to focus.
4. Personal Definition:

The essence of focus is concentration. Focus allows us to quickly find and understand a multitude of concepts by studying where they intersect. Our knowledge increases, and as it does, it grows our capacity to change ourselves and the world around us. The most important thing we can do is focus on Jesus Christ. And when we do, He provides us with the focus on what He wants us to do.

Flattery

1. Definition:
1. 1828: False praise; commendation bestowed for the purpose of gaining favor and influence, or to accomplish some purpose. Direct flattery consists in praising a person himself; indirect flattery consists in praising a person through his works or his connections.
1. Praise (accolate)
2. Commendation (esteem)
1. Flattery is saying things that may or may not be true that aggrandize somebody, using their pride. Normally not done truthfully nor honestly.
2. Quotes from the Prophets:
1. “Consciously or unconsciously some people lie to destroy others. Jealousy or feelings of inferiority may cause us to degrade another’s habits or character. Have you watched an overly ambitious person turn on false flattery for his own gain?” (Marvin J. Ashton, General Conference, April 1982)
1. Flattery is often used by someone to increase their own gain. It is always a lie.
2. “There are at least three dangers that threaten the Church within, … they are flattery of prominent men in the world, false educational ideas, and sexual impurity.” (Joseph F. Smith Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., Salt Lake City:Deseret Book Co., 1939, pp. 312–13.)
1. There are thing destructive habits outlined here that can destroy us. Here the use of flattery to gain power is set in the limelight next to sexual sins.
3. Scriptures:
1. “And now it came to pass after some years had passed away,there came a man among the people of Nephi, whose name was Sherem... And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery,and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil.” (Jacob 7: 1,4)
1. Flattery is a tool which the devil uses to destroy the souls of men. But the user thereof and the complacent recipient.
4. Personal Definition:

Flattery is an evil work of the devil. It occurs when one person or persons compliments and boosts other’s pride with the intent of gain. It is almost always based in err. The use of it to gain prestige is comparable to sexual transgression. It can lead us away from the path, and lull us into false security until we are lost.

Fear

1. Definition
1. 1828: A painful emotion or passion excited by an expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger. Fear expresses less apprehension than dread, and dread less than terror and fright. The force of this passion, beginning with the most moderate degree, may be thus expressed, fear, dread, terror, fright. Fear is accompanied with a desire to avoid or ward off the expected evil. Fear is an uneasiness of mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us.
1. Dread (fear)
2. Terror (extreme fear)
3. Fright (horror)
1. Fear is the opposite of Faith. F.E.A.R, False Expectations Appearing Real.
2. Quotes From Prophets
1. “Fear of the unknown or fear that we don’t have the scriptural skills or language required can cause reluctance to serve. But the Lord has said, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30). “ (ROBERT D. HALES, General Conference, April 2001
1. Fear is something that is completely phycological. But if you are ready for it, you can face it and overcome it.
2. “Action is inhibited by fear. You young men, along with the young sisters, are the future of the Church and, in some measure, of the world. You rightly have concerns about measuring up and finding your place in life. You more often recognize your inadequacies rather than your strengths.”(JAMES E. FAUST, General Conference, October 1997)
1. Fear stops you from becoming who you are meant to become. If we can get through those “false expectations” we can reach our true potential.
3. Scriptures
1. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)
1. Love is the opposite of fear. Pure love, or Christ’s love, can weed away your fears, no matter how deeply rooted they are.
4. Personal Definition

Fear is something that, if let to run, will destroy you. It will stop you from becoming who you are supposed to be. If you allow them to take you over completely there is not a easy way out, but Jesus’s pure love can make you confident of your capabilities and shows you what you can do to fix your weaknesses.