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Week #5 - Help Thou Mine Unbelief (Words and Music by Michael Squires)
Mark 9:17-27; D&C 6:22-23

I have been touched by the New Testament story in Mark chapter 9 of the man who brought his son to the Savior to be healed. He was told that “all things are possible to him that believeth.” Hope must have swelled in the heart of this man who had apparently suffered with his son for years as "the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe..." This immediate reaction is one that I can envision myself having. And then I can also envision myself having the same reaction that followed as the thought might enter my head "can this really happen?" The father's next words were "help thou mine unbelief."
I don't know that we can really classify this reaction as doubt, but rather it may simply be a realization that, after such a long time of trial, all of this stress and burden can be taken away, but it is dependent upon my faith - is my faith really sufficient? Lord, please make up the difference and help my faith be sufficient - help thou mine unbelief.
When doubt creeps in, we can bolster or strengthen our faith by hearkening back to times when our prayers were answered. In Doctrine and Covenants section 6, Oliver Cowdery was told to "cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart... did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?"
I am grateful for times in my life when the Spirit has spoken peace to my mind and my heart. I am grateful that I can look back on those moments and feel again the Spirit's assurance that testifies of truth. I am grateful for answered prayers from a loving Heavenly Father. Though there may be moments when I may need to ask "Help thou mine unbelief," I am grateful that I can still genuinely declare that "I believe!"

Help Thou Mine Unbelief
There came a man to the Lord, Had suffered years and could take no more,
He said, “My son’s torment is continuous, Please have compassion on the two of us.”
Said the Lord to the man, “This thing I’ll do if you believe I can.”
With emotion built through years, said the father through his tears:

“O Lord, I believe; Help Thou mine unbelief.”
Stretched forth His hand the Lord, and the boy was then restored.

Now I come to Him, as that man, And I know the truth about who I am.
But there are moments… of self-doubt, when I forget what life’s about…
But I feel His words answering my plea, “Cast your mind upon the night you cried unto me…
Did I not speak peace unto your mind? What greater witness can you find?”

O Lord, I believe; Help Thou mine unbelief.
I know that Thou art there, and hast heard my humble prayer…

And answers have been revealed,
and I, too, have been healed.

O Lord, I believe; Help Thou mine unbelief.
With emotion built through years, I now declare it through my own tears:
“I believe.”

I know Thou lovest me; I now testify of Thee…
I believe.



Additional thoughts:
200 years ago a young teenage boy named Joseph Smith sought wisdom through sincere prayer. On that occasion, a loving Heavenly Father provided a miraculous response that we commonly refer to as the First Vision. Joseph Smith was later called to be the Prophet of this last dispensation and the wheels were set in motion that led to a Restoration of all things. This Restoration continues today.
40 years ago a young teenage boy knelt by his bed and asked if Joseph Smith was a true prophet. A loving Heavenly Father heard that prayer and responded with a feeling of peace and love deep in my heart that confirmed this core truth for me.
35 years ago a young missionary felt the importance of testifying of the restoration and the prophet that was called to oversee it, and specifically of that First Vision. He hearkened back to the experience of that humble moment years before on his knees when his prayer was answered. I was comforted by the Lord’s words to Oliver Cowdery: “...if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?”
Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.