Elder Linder

Part 3 of “The Devoted Life: Exploring the Path of Discipleship”

In our first two posts this week, we explored what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and the cost of that discipleship. Today, I want to focus on perhaps the most challenging aspect of discipleship: moving forward when we can’t see the entire path ahead.

The Apostle Paul captured this principle perfectly when he wrote, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). This isn’t just a poetic phrase—it captures the very heart of authentic discipleship. Think about what it means to walk by faith. When we walk by sight, we can see where we’re placing each foot, we can spot obstacles ahead, we can gauge our progress. But walking by faith? That’s different. That’s stepping forward even when the path isn’t fully visible.

The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi understood this principle deeply. When commanded to build a ship, he didn’t have a complete blueprint or shipbuilding experience. What he had was faith and a willingness to move forward. “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded,” he declared, “for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them” (1 Nephi 3:7).

We see this same pattern in the story of the Brother of Jared. When faced with crossing the great deep, he didn’t have all the answers at once. Instead, he approached each challenge one step at a time. First, he built the vessels as commanded (Ether 2:16-17). Then came the practical challenges: How would they breathe? The Lord instructed him to make holes that could be opened and closed (Ether 2:20). How would they steer? The Lord promised to guide them with the winds and waves (Ether 2:24-25; 6:5). And when they needed light, the Brother of Jared brought sixteen small stones to the Lord, trusting Him to make them shine (Ether 3:1-6).

The Lord not only solved each problem but, through the Brother of Jared’s faithful questions and actions, revealed Himself more fully to His servant. This pattern teaches us that we don’t need to have all the answers before we begin. Sometimes we just need enough faith to ask the next question, take the next step, trusting the Lord will light our way.

Moroni teaches us something crucial about this kind of faith: “Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6). Notice the sequence—first comes the trial of faith, then comes the witness. We often want this reversed. We want to see the end from the beginning, to have all our questions answered before we step into uncertainty. But that’s not faith—that’s sight.

This principle applies to every aspect of discipleship:

• When we pay tithing before we can see how our finances will work out
• When we accept a calling feeling inadequate for the task
• When we follow prophetic counsel without fully understanding why
• When we keep covenants even during times of doubt

Each of these moments requires us to walk by faith, not by sight.

The Lord gave us a powerful formula for this kind of walking by faith through Solomon: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Notice it doesn’t say He’ll show us the entire path—just that He’ll direct our paths as we move forward in faith.

Today, you might be facing your own moment of walking by faith. Perhaps you’re:

• Considering a major life change
• Struggling with questions about your faith
• Facing decisions without clear answers
• Trying to trust God’s timing in your life

I’ve experienced this kind of faith journey myself. Like Abraham who “went out, not knowing whither he went” (Hebrews 11:8), I took my own step into the unknown when I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 19. I couldn’t see the extraordinary path the Lord had prepared—I simply knew I needed to follow the spiritual promptings I’d received. Looking back now, I’m overwhelmed by how that single act of faith opened the door to blessings I never could have imagined: an eternal marriage to Mackenzie, our three beautiful daughters, and the countless other blessings I have received ever since.

Whatever your situation, remember that uncertainty isn’t the opposite of faith—it’s the environment where faith grows strongest. President Russell M. Nelson has taught, “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” This guidance often comes gradually, like the rising of the sun. As Elder David A. Bednar has taught, revelation frequently comes “line upon line, precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30), much like the slow, almost imperceptible increase of light at dawn. We may not always recognize heaven’s guidance in the moment, but as we continue to exercise faith and take each step forward, the path becomes clearer—not all at once, but gradually, steadily, surely.

I testify that as we choose to walk by faith, the Lord will guide our steps. He may not show us the entire path at once, but He will give us enough light for the step we need to take today. Like Nephi and the Brother of Jared, we can move forward with confidence, knowing that the Lord never commands anything without preparing a way for its accomplishment.

What step of faith is the Lord inviting you to take today? Trust Him enough to take that step, and He will guide you to where you need to be.