Be Not Faithless, but Believing

Thomas told the other apostles that he would not believe their testimony unless he saw Jesus for himself and touched the wounds in His hands and side. The news that Jesus was alive again was too great for him to accept without definitive proof.

Jesus gave him the proof he desired. “Reach hither thy finger,” He said, “and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27).

According to Mark, Jesus chastised the rest of the apostles in the same way: “He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen” (Mark 16:14).

Who were the people that the apostles “believed not?” They dismissed the testimony of Mary Magdalene and several other women as “idle tales” (Luke 24:10-11). And they likewise refused to accept the account of the two disciples who had walked with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. (See Mark 16:12-13.)

The Savior taught that believing the words of others is a spiritual gift which can lead us to eternal life. (See Doctrine and Covenants 46:14.) Why does He want us to believe what other people have experienced?

1. Believing other people’s experiences indicates that we have been willing to listen to them respectfully and with an open mind.
2. Believing others means that we don’t always have to be right. We are humble enough to admit gaps in our knowledge and to accept help.
3. Words alone can be enough to open our heart to the Holy Ghost. When we listen with our ears and with our hearts, the Spirit may testify to us that what we are hearing is true.

After Alma organized the church at the waters of Mormon, established a city, led his people out of captivity, and established churches throughout the land of Zarahemla, the Lord provided the following words of praise in answer to a prayer:

Blessed art thou, Alma, and blessed are they who were baptized in the waters of Mormon. Thou art blessed because of thy exceeding faith in the words alone of my servant Abinadi.

And blessed are they because of their exceeding faith in the words alone which thou hast spoken unto them.

Mosiah 26:15-16

Today I will listen to the convictions and experiences of other people. I will listen to learn, I will listen to believe, and I will pay particular attention to the influence of the Spirit of the Lord confirming when what I hear is true.