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From "True to the Faith"
DIR By: RickBulow
Date: July 18, 2023, 12:30 pm
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(From:
HTML https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/true-to-the-faith/faith?lang=eng
HTML https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/true-to-the-faith/faith?lang=eng)
The Apostle Paul taught that “faith is the assurance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1; see
footnote b). Alma made a similar statement: “If ye have faith ye
hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma
32:21).
Faith is a principle of action and power. Whenever you work
toward a worthy goal, you exercise faith. You show your hope for
something that you cannot yet see.
<b>Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ</b>
In order for your faith to lead you to salvation, it must be
centered in the Lord Jesus Christ (see Acts 4:10–12; Mosiah
3:17; Moroni 7:24–26; Articles of Faith 1:4). You can exercise
faith in Christ when you have an assurance that He exists, a
correct idea of His character, and a knowledge that you are
striving to live according to His will.
Having faith in Jesus Christ means relying completely on
Him—trusting in His infinite power, intelligence, and love. It
includes believing His teachings. It means believing that even
though you do not understand all things, He does. Remember that
because He has experienced all your pains, afflictions, and
infirmities, He knows how to help you rise above your daily
difficulties (see Alma 7:11–12; D&C 122:8 ). He has “overcome
the world” (John 16:33) and prepared the way for you to receive
eternal life. He is always ready to help you as you remember His
plea: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C
6:36).
<b>Living by Faith</b>
Faith is much more than passive belief. You express your faith
through action—by the way you live.
The Savior promised, “If ye will have faith in me ye shall have
power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me” (Moroni 7:33).
Faith in Jesus Christ can motivate you to follow His perfect
example (see John 14:12). Your faith can lead you to do good
works, obey the commandments, and repent of your sins (see James
2:18; 1 Nephi 3:7; Alma 34:17). Your faith can help you overcome
temptation. Alma counseled his son Helaman, “Teach them to
withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the
Lord Jesus Christ” (Alma 37:33).
The Lord will work mighty miracles in your life according to
your faith (see 2 Nephi 26:13). Faith in Jesus Christ helps you
receive spiritual and physical healing through His Atonement
(see 3 Nephi 9:13–14). When times of trial come, faith can give
you strength to press forward and face your hardships with
courage. Even when the future seems uncertain, your faith in the
Savior can give you peace (see Romans 5:1; Helaman 5:47).
<b>Increasing Your Faith</b>
Faith is a gift from God, but you must nurture your faith to
keep it strong. Faith is like the muscle of your arm. If you
exercise it, it grows strong. If you put it in a sling and leave
it there, it becomes weak.
You can nurture the gift of faith by praying to Heavenly Father
in the name of Jesus Christ. As you express your gratitude to
your Father and as you plead with Him for blessings that you and
others need, you will draw near to Him. You will draw near to
the Savior, whose Atonement makes it possible for you to plead
for mercy (see Alma 33:11). You will also be receptive to the
quiet guidance of the Holy Ghost.
You can strengthen your faith by keeping the commandments. Like
all blessings from God, faith is obtained and increased through
individual obedience and righteous action. If you desire to
enrich your faith to the highest possible degree, you must keep
the covenants you have made.
You can also develop your faith by studying the scriptures and
the words of latter-day prophets. The prophet Alma taught that
the word of God helps strengthen faith. Comparing the word to a
seed, he said that the “desire to believe” can lead you to “give
place” for the word to be “planted in your heart.” Then you will
feel that the word is good, for it will begin to enlarge your
soul and enlighten your understanding. This will strengthen your
faith. As you continually nurture the word in your heart, “with
great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit
thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree
springing up unto everlasting life.” (See Alma 32:26–43.)
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