The world rewards cynicism. People who raise doubts and are unable to trust others often appear to be intelligent and sophisticated.
In contrast, the Lord rewards trust. “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed,” Jesus said to Thomas (John 20:29). “More blessed are they who shall believe in your words,” He said to the multitude at Bountiful (3 Nephi 12:2).
After becoming convinced that Ammon was sent by God but before hearing Ammon teach, King Lamoni declared, “I will believe all thy words” (Alma 18:23). When he fell into an unconscious state and some people thought he was dead, Ammon assured Lamoni’s wife that he would recover the following day. “Believest thou this?” he asked. “I have had no witness save thy word,” she replied, “and the word of our servants; nevertheless I believe that it shall be according as thou hast said” (Alma 19:9). Alma was impressed:
Blessed art thou because of thy exceeding faith; I say unto thee, woman, there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites.
Alma 19:10
When Lamoni’s father was later taught by Ammon’s brother Aaron, he offered a heartfelt prayer based on Aaron’s testimony:
O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me?
Alma 22:18
He was miraculously converted as a result of that prayer.
Today, I will exercise faith in God and in the words of His prophets. I will resist the temptation to become jaded and cynical, and I will remember that I invite His power into my life when I trust Him.