The Deal

We all act based on faith. We have faith that our employer will pay us so we go to work. We have faith that the seeds will grow so we plant crops. We have faith that drivers will stop at a red light so we drive through an intersection. In one sense, everything we do is based on faith. We put our faith in those things we believe.  We only invest our time and effort into things that we believe will be worth it. In the big picture of life, what we do is determined by what we believe will pay off, or make life worthwhile. Whether we believe in Him or not, this is the covenant, or the "deal" we make with... God.

There is a progression of faith. Some have a little, and others have a lot. Looking at the two extremes we see that those with no faith require payment in advance, whereas those who have a lot of faith are willing to make a long-term investment. "Oh ye of little faith" want an immediate payoff, whereas those with infinite faith look to Eternity.

Worse and worse

Those who do not have faith cannot put effort into something that might pay later. It would be "wasted effort." People who seek an immediate payoff think only for now, or the near future. Rather than plant seeds, they will buy the plant already blooming. They tend to be impetuous. They spend their money immediately, eat for taste, work to play, gamble, and indulge themselves in feelings of the moment. Consequences and long-term benefits aren't considered in their daily living. They expect payment for every effort they make, and, like a three-year-old child they want it "NOW!"

My son has a T-shirt that says: "Hard work pays off in the long run, but laziness pays off immediately." It's true that the immediate compensation is good, but that moment is the end. More payoff requires more investment. The payment side of the account not only builds up, but increases with interest. Thus, over time, the deal gets worse and worse as the pay per amount invested declines to nothing. There are always side-effect and unwanted consequences to paying later. The abilities are decreased with time. Laziness causes weakness and the loss of ability. Gambling leads to poverty. At some point, there is no enjoyment at all in being lazy, only pain and suffering.

Those who choose to avoid the will of God look at the immediate benefits and not the long-term risks. They steal because they want things now. They commit adultery because it feels good now. They put all their time and efforts into their own comforts and feelings. However, those who choose this route find that the reward is all they get. The deal gets worse and worse over time. Once you have done something it loses its excitement.

The "deal" we make if we act in the short-term gives us immediate payment. It doesn't require faith because we can see the benefits; however, there is a payment to be made. Food is a simple and concrete illustration of this concept. Those who eat for taste or hunger get the immediate reward. The "payoff" is immediate, but doesn't last, they will be hungry again in minutes to hours. If they desire food for taste there is no satiation, or no end, and the side-effects bring only sorrow and misery. Over time they get more obese, sick, and are no longer able to function well. They feel bad, live with guilt, pain, and lack of energy. This same illustration could be made for drugs, sex, money, stealing, lying, cheating, or any other sin. There are immediate benefits, but the deal gets worse and worse over time. Whenever we seek the things that are temporal, we have no reward from above because we've made no investment.

Better and better

Those who believe in God can begin to exercise faith. The greater their faith, the more they can invest in their future. They come to know that God knows all things: "My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning." (Abraham 2:8) Rather than expecting immediate rewards, they sacrifice their own desires, expecting their only reward to come from God.

There were two different kinds of fruit mentioned specifically in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were able to eat from any tree, including the tree of life, except the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil as it was forbidden. It's interesting to note that the forbidden fruit tasted good, but the tree of life was a bitter fruit. "...the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter." (2 Nephi 2:15) However, elsewhere in the scriptures this fruit on the Tree of Life was described as, "most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted." (1 Nephi 8:11) What is the difference? The "Garden" is in the beginning, whereas the other is in the end. This is the "deal" in life that gets better and better. We start out with a bitter taste as we sacrifice on the altars of God all the things we want. It's the broccoli we have to eat in order to be healthy, but over time we get good health which is most sweet.

Those who choose God get troubles and trials. Worship is sacrifice; it hurts to make sacrifices. It's hard. People look at the sacrifice required by the Lord and question their choice. They believe it would be easier to quit. The depth of their faith can be measured by the magnitude of their sacrifice. It's hard at first, but the deal just keeps getting better and better. There is no end to how much better it can get. A hymn by Parley P. Pratt explains:

The works of God continue, And worlds and lives abound;
Improvement and progression Have one eternal round.
There is no end to matter; There is no end to space;
There is no end to spirit; There is no end to race.

There is no end to virtue; There is no end to might;

There is no end to wisdom; There is no end to light.

There is no end to union; There is no end to youth;

There is no end to priesthood; There is no end to truth.

There is no end to glory; There is no end to love;
There is no end to being; There is no death above.
There is no end to glory; There is no end to love;
There is no end to being; There is no death above.

(Hymn 284:3-5)

The key that unlocks the door to Eternity is faith. Endless growth and love requires the sacrifice of all things that are temporal, or temporary. There is no immediate reward. We must have faith in things we cannot see. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

True Religion

The object of true religion is to convince people that there is value in putting off our immediate desires. We bear testimony that there is a God, and that the only way we can be saved is to put our trust in Him, putting off the "natural man" and seeking an Eternal reward. We have to convince others that this "faith" deal is hard at first, but it just gets better and better.

True religion requires sacrifice, it always has. The altars of the Temple are all about the sacrifices we make of the things of the world. We give up what we want now, for a better life in the world to come. All our covenants with God are sacrifices we promise to make. We give our time and efforts to Him. We give our whole heart to Him so we can be His. We are no longer our own. We don't do what we want, but rather what He wants.

This is a process that takes a lifetime. As we grow in the knowledge of the Lord, Jesus Christ, we trust in Him, we rely on him, and are willing to commit to Him. There are no shortcuts. "Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (Ether 12:6) The witness we receive is a wonderful reward of faith. But that is not the end. As we grow in faith the rewards are greater. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9) There is no end, the deal just keeps getting better and better.