True Believers in Christ

On two occasions, prophets in the Book of Mormon use a phrase that has always fascinated me — "true believers in Christ" (Alma 46:14-15, 4 Ne 36-7).

The use of the adjective "true" always makes me wonder.  Why didn't Alma and Nephi just talk about "believers in Christ"?  Are there believers who are not true believers?  Why was it significant to add that qualifier?

I pondered what other kinds of believers might be distinguished from the "true" ones; here are some alternatives that came to mind.  I've seen examples of these characteristics in people I've known, or from tendencies I've noticed in my own life at times:

fake believers

Perhaps the most obvious alternative to a true believer: those who pretend, sometimes deviously or maliciously, to be a part of something that they really aren't

habitual believers

Those who do what they are used to doing, what they are expected to do, the way they've always done it, the way their neighbors do it — never pondering carefully the meaning or reasons

superficial or casual believers

Those who believe enough to get by, perhaps doing the bare minimum to stay connected without too much effort or sacrifice

skeptical believers

Those who seem always to be looking for areas to question, doubt, or criticize

partial believers

They believe some things, but doubt or ignore others.  (See Mark 10:17-22, where the Savior tells a rich young man, "one thing thou lackest" — but he was unable to comply)

impeded believers

Those who carry burdens, and are unwilling to repent and open the doors that could lead to greater depth and understanding

wandering believers

Those who wish there were more depth and connection, but haven’t been able or willing to achieve it yet

Most of us fall short, and express one or more of these less-desirable characteristics, or others like them, from time to time.  I've always felt the truth of this statement from Brigham Young in 1853:  "The sin that will cleave to all the posterity of Adam and Eve is, that they have not done as well as they knew how." (JD 2:130)  We all fall short.  We are all imperfect, inconsistent, and unpredictable.  We are mortal.  We are "works in progress" during this stage. We're here to be tutored by our experiences.  We're going to make mistakes along the way; that seems to be one of the important ways we learn and grow.  We might occasionally appear to be less-than-true believers.

One of the definitions of "true" is "real or genuine." A true believer might be one who is sincerely, honestly, "without guile" or pretense, striving to follow the Savior to the best of his ability. Following the path of discipleship means growing "line upon line, precept upon precept" towards the ideal, the full or perfect expression of what we could be.  When we occasionally fall short, the real or genuine disciple, the true believer, will strive to learn a lesson and will quickly get up and continue to progress on the right path.

There is a powerful expression of the longing to be a faithful disciple found in the 9th chapter of Mark.  A man has a son who is possessed by a spirit that causes him to convulse and rage.  The desperate father comes to the Lord, pleading for help.  The response is an invitation: "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth" (9:23).  The emotional, tender response of that loving father touches me deeply:  "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief" (9:24).  The miracle does indeed follow; the boy is healed, and though the record doesn't mention it, we can assume that the father's personal petition was granted in a special way.

I believe that if we long to overcome our "unbelief" and therefore be better "true believers in Christ," God's help will come to us as well, in ways that are powerful and even miraculous.

There are some characteristics or qualities of true believers I find among the teachings and examples in The Book of Mormon; the first two are insights linked to the verses that use that phrase, and the rest convey other impressions that are similar.

• In the time of Captain Moroni, the "true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ" - gladly (Alma 46:15).  There is joy in the journey when we pressing forward with "perfect brightness of hope" (2 Ne 31:20).
• "True believers in Christ" are also "true worshipers of Christ" (4 Ne 37).  They know how to truly worship — in word, thought, and deed.
• True believers are "easy to be entreated" (Alma 7:23) — they seek for counsel and correction, even reproof; and follow it with eagerness.
• Like Nephi the disciple, they are "unwearying" in faithful service and dedication (Hel 10:5).
• They understand divine "filtering" of choices and options (Moroni 7: things that lead to do good and bring the Spirit); but also actively apply that principle to bring more good into life (AoF 13, seek after these things)
• They keep perspective; like Alma, at times they may desire to do more, but they learn "to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me" (Alma 29:3)
• They understand the critical nature of efforts to learn and grow in knowledge, but in an appropriate context (2 Ne 9:28, the learned who think they are wise; see also D&C 90:15, "become acquainted with all good books"; and D&C 109:7, 14, "seek learning by study and faith")
• They don't worry about doing "alms before men to be seen of them" (3 Ne 13:1); they don't seek publicity and status
• They occasionally know what it's like to be led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand what is to come (1 Ne 4:6)
• They believe and live Amulek's perspective of crying to the Lord in all his affairs (Alma 34:17-26), and perhaps even more, letting their heart be full of prayer "continually" (34:27)
• They let the teachings of the Gospel sink deep through pondering (Enos), and have hearts that long to bless and share blessings with others
• Like the father of Lamoni, they give up not just wealth and prominence, but more importantly, "I will give away all my sins to know thee" (Alma 22:16, 18)
• True believers don't rely just on past experiences. They renew their hope and conviction constantly.  As Alma challenged those who once had tasted of the goodness — "can ye feel so now?" (Alma 5:26)

Finally, consider this witness and invitation from one true believer.  After compiling the information above, I came across a 1980 BYU devotional talk when Elder Neal A. Maxwell addressed this topic.  He gave thirteen "tests to help us measure how we are doing in developing the spirituality that characterizes the true believers in Christ" that are worth reviewing; and then concluded with this tender comment:

"Let us, brothers and sisters, seek to become such true believers in Christ. Let us make our way, righteously and resolutely, notwithstanding our weaknesses, to the beckoning City of God. There, the sole and self-assigned gatekeeper is Jesus Christ. He awaits us at the gate not only to certify us—but because His deep, divine desire brings Him there to welcome us. 'He employeth no servant there' (2 Ne. 9:41). If we acknowledge Him now, He will lovingly acknowledge us then."
- Neal A. Maxwell, "True Believers In Christ," BYU devotional, October 7. 1980; see full transcript