Faith

I would like to briefly talk about what faith in the Lord Jesus Christ means to me. Faith is the first principle and ordinance of the gospel. All else follows from it. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, "Come unto me." In 7:7, during his sermon on the mount he speaks of gaining faith and a testimony. He said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." And in verse 8, a wonderful promise follows: "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." When we desire and ask for faith we are blessed with it. Why does Christ exactly desire us to have faith? We find the answer in Acts 4:12, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." And also in Mosiah 3:12, "But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ." Through the atonement of Christ, we can be saved and return again to live with Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. James 2:17 says, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." In the last year, I have diligently tried to do that, and I have seen remarkable changes.

The last scripture I would like to share is Moroni 7:33 and then 36-37. "And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me. Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain."

When we have faith and works, miracles do happen. I have seen them in my own life. Because of faith and the atonement, which are linked together, I place my trust in the Lord. I know he knows best, and this trust helps inspire me to keep the commandments. I have felt increased promptings from the Holy Ghost, along with the strength to follow them. In struggles and challenges, I have peace, because of my faith and trust in the Lord. I know that He lives and loves me. Faith leads to action, specifically repentance. There are countless examples of Jesus healing the sick. I know that he has the power to do that, as well as heal us spiritually when we repent we allow his grace to heal us. Faith is truly miraculous.