Scriptures that Helped My Faith Grow
Scriptures that helped my faith grow during healing.
From the Old & New Testaments, Book of Mormon, & The Doctrine and Covenants.
Old Testament
Proverbs 3:5-6. 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.
This verse served as a test of my faith and trust in the Lord. Could I, a person who had learned that no man was to be
trusted, ever trust the Lord? Yes, I could and did. I already knew that He answered my prayers. With this verse I was
being told to trust Him, to acknowledge His work in my life, and to let him give me understanding. By doing this I would
be led where it was best and safest for me to go. Could I do it? Yes, and I am still doing it. This was a great leap of
faith for me, but it was worth every step.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature;
because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but
the LORD looketh on the heart.
I was taught two lessons with this verse. First that the Lord judges all mankind by the intent of their heart. Second,
that He knew my heart better than I did, and that what I knew of the desires of my heart was good. If I could see as
much good in myself as I did, then how much more could the Lord see?
New Testament
Matthew 8:28-32 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two
possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And,
behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to
torment us before the time? And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils
besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go.
And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently
down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
These verses provided me an example of how to remove the ugliness from my heart and mind. The abuse was like
the evil spirits. Casting the evil spirits into the swine was like writing down what had happened to me or telling it to my
therapist. The destruction of the swine was equivalent to destroying the pages the abuse memories were written on.
Accomplishing this purging began the process that freed my mind and heart from the pain and suffering brought on
by the abuse.
Matt 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a
grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and
nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Matt 13:31-32 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of
mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it
is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches
thereof.
These two verses in Matthew go together. The first tells us that we can and should have faith as a grain of mustard
seed, however, it does not tell us what that is. We just know that if we do we can move mountains.
The second one tells us what a mustard seed is capable of – growing from a tiny seed into a tree big enough for a
bird to build a nest in.
Looking at these two verses together taught me that my faith started out small and has the potential to grow very
large. My faith has done this. I do not know that it has grown large enough to move a real mountain, and I would not
try to because I do not have a need to move one. What I do know is that my life trials and experiences are my
personal mountains and I have every right and need to move those. I believe that between my efforts and the Savior’s
help, those mountains have been moved or reduced from mountains to mole hills.
John 8:1-11 JESUS went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and
all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a
woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken
in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote
on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto
them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the
ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the
eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up
himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man
condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no
more.
While I was awash in shame, believing that I was the one that sinned (in regards to the sexual abuse), I found great
comfort and hope in these words.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who
will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that
ye may be able to bear it.
This verse speaks of temptation, but it is worded very similarly to the verse about not having a burden greater than
we can bear. So, in my mind, all temptations, burdens, trials, etc., in my life are not to be greater than I can bear at
any given time, and the Savior has already provided a way for me to ‘escape’ from those things and bear them – His
atonement.
Book of Mormon
Mosiah 3:19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever
and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint
through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love,
willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
I had trouble with this verse when I read it and realized the connection between the last phrase of the verse and my
abuse. I had submitted to my father's abuse of me exactly as this states. I was sure that Heavenly Father would never
ask me to do such a thing. However, I realized that He could ask such a thing of me and did. He was aware that my
father could choose to abuse me and discussed this with me before hand. He prepared me for my father's choices in
this life, with the hope that he would not choose abuse. My relationship with my Savior and Heavenly Father is as this
verse describes, despite what my biological father chose to do to me.
3 Nephi 12:23-24 Therefore, if ye shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, and rememberest that
thy brother hath aught against thee— Go thy way unto thy brother, and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then
come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you.
I interpreted this use of 'brother' to mean my fellow human beings. This meant that I needed to forgive my father and
generally come to terms with the things my mother did while raising me. I found that this was possible, thought difficult
to accomplish. I desired a relationship with my Savior far more than i desired to hold anger and resentment toward my
abusers. I have since realized that it is better to leave the judgment of my abusers to my Savior, than it is to desire
revenge against them. When I gave this to my Savior, I found peace.
Doctrine and Covenants
Doctrine & Covenants 6:16 Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that
knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart.
When I was struggling with the difference between virginity and chastity, this verse came as an answer. I learned that
virginity is a physical state, and that chastity is a state of mind and of the heart. Heavenly Father and our Savior look
at our hearts and see the truth that resides there; they do not judge us by the physical imperfections of our body. The
state of being a virgin, being a physical state, can be given away or be taken from us forcibly – as a matter of agency,
our own or someone else’s. That is why chastity is more important in the Lord’s eyes than the state of being a virgin.
This is also what shows true repentance – a desire to change that comes from the heart.
Doctrine & Covenants 98:1-3 VERILY I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea,
rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks; Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the
ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that
they shall be granted. Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be
fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name's
glory, saith the Lord.
Not only do these verses promise that our prayers will be answered, but it serves as a second witness to Doctrine and
Covenants 122:7-9 when it restates that our trials will work together for our good.
Doctrine & Covenants 122:7-9 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the
sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if
fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the
way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all
these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all.
Art thou greater than he? Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are
set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man
can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.
These verses tell me that it does not matter what happens to me in this life, my Savior is with me, He understands my
needs and will give me the assistance He knows that I need. I am also told me that no matter what happens to me, it
will become a blessing in the end – both for me and for others.
From the Old & New Testaments, Book of Mormon, & The Doctrine and Covenants.
Old Testament
Proverbs 3:5-6. 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.
This verse served as a test of my faith and trust in the Lord. Could I, a person who had learned that no man was to be
trusted, ever trust the Lord? Yes, I could and did. I already knew that He answered my prayers. With this verse I was
being told to trust Him, to acknowledge His work in my life, and to let him give me understanding. By doing this I would
be led where it was best and safest for me to go. Could I do it? Yes, and I am still doing it. This was a great leap of
faith for me, but it was worth every step.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature;
because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but
the LORD looketh on the heart.
I was taught two lessons with this verse. First that the Lord judges all mankind by the intent of their heart. Second,
that He knew my heart better than I did, and that what I knew of the desires of my heart was good. If I could see as
much good in myself as I did, then how much more could the Lord see?
New Testament
Matthew 8:28-32 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two
possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And,
behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to
torment us before the time? And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils
besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go.
And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently
down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
These verses provided me an example of how to remove the ugliness from my heart and mind. The abuse was like
the evil spirits. Casting the evil spirits into the swine was like writing down what had happened to me or telling it to my
therapist. The destruction of the swine was equivalent to destroying the pages the abuse memories were written on.
Accomplishing this purging began the process that freed my mind and heart from the pain and suffering brought on
by the abuse.
Matt 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a
grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and
nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Matt 13:31-32 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of
mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it
is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches
thereof.
These two verses in Matthew go together. The first tells us that we can and should have faith as a grain of mustard
seed, however, it does not tell us what that is. We just know that if we do we can move mountains.
The second one tells us what a mustard seed is capable of – growing from a tiny seed into a tree big enough for a
bird to build a nest in.
Looking at these two verses together taught me that my faith started out small and has the potential to grow very
large. My faith has done this. I do not know that it has grown large enough to move a real mountain, and I would not
try to because I do not have a need to move one. What I do know is that my life trials and experiences are my
personal mountains and I have every right and need to move those. I believe that between my efforts and the Savior’s
help, those mountains have been moved or reduced from mountains to mole hills.
John 8:1-11 JESUS went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and
all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a
woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken
in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote
on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto
them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the
ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the
eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up
himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man
condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no
more.
While I was awash in shame, believing that I was the one that sinned (in regards to the sexual abuse), I found great
comfort and hope in these words.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who
will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that
ye may be able to bear it.
This verse speaks of temptation, but it is worded very similarly to the verse about not having a burden greater than
we can bear. So, in my mind, all temptations, burdens, trials, etc., in my life are not to be greater than I can bear at
any given time, and the Savior has already provided a way for me to ‘escape’ from those things and bear them – His
atonement.
Book of Mormon
Mosiah 3:19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever
and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint
through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love,
willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
I had trouble with this verse when I read it and realized the connection between the last phrase of the verse and my
abuse. I had submitted to my father's abuse of me exactly as this states. I was sure that Heavenly Father would never
ask me to do such a thing. However, I realized that He could ask such a thing of me and did. He was aware that my
father could choose to abuse me and discussed this with me before hand. He prepared me for my father's choices in
this life, with the hope that he would not choose abuse. My relationship with my Savior and Heavenly Father is as this
verse describes, despite what my biological father chose to do to me.
3 Nephi 12:23-24 Therefore, if ye shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, and rememberest that
thy brother hath aught against thee— Go thy way unto thy brother, and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then
come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you.
I interpreted this use of 'brother' to mean my fellow human beings. This meant that I needed to forgive my father and
generally come to terms with the things my mother did while raising me. I found that this was possible, thought difficult
to accomplish. I desired a relationship with my Savior far more than i desired to hold anger and resentment toward my
abusers. I have since realized that it is better to leave the judgment of my abusers to my Savior, than it is to desire
revenge against them. When I gave this to my Savior, I found peace.
Doctrine and Covenants
Doctrine & Covenants 6:16 Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that
knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart.
When I was struggling with the difference between virginity and chastity, this verse came as an answer. I learned that
virginity is a physical state, and that chastity is a state of mind and of the heart. Heavenly Father and our Savior look
at our hearts and see the truth that resides there; they do not judge us by the physical imperfections of our body. The
state of being a virgin, being a physical state, can be given away or be taken from us forcibly – as a matter of agency,
our own or someone else’s. That is why chastity is more important in the Lord’s eyes than the state of being a virgin.
This is also what shows true repentance – a desire to change that comes from the heart.
Doctrine & Covenants 98:1-3 VERILY I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea,
rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks; Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the
ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that
they shall be granted. Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be
fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name's
glory, saith the Lord.
Not only do these verses promise that our prayers will be answered, but it serves as a second witness to Doctrine and
Covenants 122:7-9 when it restates that our trials will work together for our good.
Doctrine & Covenants 122:7-9 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the
sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if
fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the
way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all
these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all.
Art thou greater than he? Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are
set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man
can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.
These verses tell me that it does not matter what happens to me in this life, my Savior is with me, He understands my
needs and will give me the assistance He knows that I need. I am also told me that no matter what happens to me, it
will become a blessing in the end – both for me and for others.
