Go Forward with Faith

As we study the scriptures and come to know the steps to eternal life we learn how we must have Faith. In THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS we believe in the Articles of Faith from modern revelation. The fourth Article of Faith states, "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost." As it states here that we must have Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does having Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ mean?

"Having faith in Christ includes having a

firm belief that He is the Only Begotten Son of God and

the Savior and Redeemer of the world. We recognize

that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father

only by relying on His Son’s grace and mercy. When

we have faith in Christ, we accept and apply His

Atonement and His teachings. We trust Him and what

He says. We know that He has the power to keep His

promises. Heavenly Father blesses those who have

faith to obey His Son.

Faith in Christ leads to action. It leads to sincere and

lasting repentance. Having faith causes us to try as

hard as we can to learn about and become more like our Savior. We want to learn what

His commandments are and then obey them. Even though we will still make mistakes, we

show our love for Him by striving to keep His commandments and avoid sin.

We believe in Christ, and we believe that He wants us to keep all His commandments.

We want to show our faith by obeying Him. We pray in faith for strength to conquer

temptation. We can also develop faith in a particular principle, such as the Word of Wisdom

or tithing, by first believing in Jesus Christ strongly enough to obey His commandments.

As we live a specific commandment, we learn the truthfulness of it by experience (see

John 7:17). We also grow in faith by hearing the word of God (see Romans 10:17) and by

reading the word of God (see Helaman 15:7–8).

As we obey God, He blesses us. He gives us power to meet life’s challenges. He helps

us change the desires of our hearts. Through our faith in Jesus Christ, He can heal us,

both physically and spiritually.' (Preach My Gospel, pgs. 61, 62)

Faith has to be nurtured just as a flower. If we just buy a seed from the store will it grow? NO we have to plant it into the ground. We have to water it. We have to make sure it gets adacuate sun. There is more than you think necessary. With faith we need to be continually repenting. We need to continually studying the Gospel and learning more. We need to work to get our faith and increase it. We need to pray for faith. After we gain that faith we need to exercise it and trust in God. Once that flower is planted and starting to come up you need to continue helping it grow. It is a continual process. Never ending.

'Each individual will make his or her way in a constantly changing world—a world of competing ideologies. The forces of evil will ever be in opposition to the forces of good. Satan constantly strives to influence us to follow his ways and make us miserable, even as he is. And the normal risks of life, such as illness, injury, and accident, will ever be present.

We live in a time of turmoil. Earthquakes and tsunamis wreak devastation, governments collapse, economic stresses are severe, the family is under attack, and divorce rates are rising. We have great cause for concern. But we do not need to let our fears displace our faith. We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith.

Start with your children. You parents bear the primary responsibility to strengthen their faith. Let them feel your faith, even when sore trials come upon you. Let your faith be focused on our loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach that faith with deep conviction. Teach each precious boy or girl that he or she is a child of God, created in His image, with a sacred purpose and potential. Each is born with challenges to overcome and faith to be developed.

Teach of faith to know that obedience to the commandments of God will provide physical and spiritual protection. And remember, God’s holy angels are ever on call to help us. The Lord so declared: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” What a promise! When we are faithful, He and His angels will help us.

Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord “shall suffer persecution.” That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives.

How you deal with life’s trials is part of the development of your faith. Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth. The Lord has reminded you, your children, and your grandchildren that you are lawful heirs, that you have been reserved in heaven for your specific time and place to be born, to grow and become His standard bearers and covenant people. As you walk in the Lord’s path of righteousness, you will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and a savior unto His people." (Elder Russell M. Nelson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)

When Jesus Christ was on the earth the miracles He performed was because of the faith of those. An example is the woman who said, "Just if I can touch His clothes I will be healed." And surely she was healed. Jesus Christ told her that because of her faith she was made whole. Faith is an important principle in life. We must have Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We must exercise Faith in His Atonement and repent.

I know that when we trust in God and act in Faith doing everything we can, He will help us. We can accomplish the righteous desires of our heart. God wants us to be happy. We just need to let Him help us, because true happiness comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ and living its teachings.

 For a free copy of Finding Faith in Christ call 1(800) 443-9911. It contains the life and ministry of our Savior Jesus Christ founded in the New Testament.