Faith in our Lives

Faith can bless our lives. Alma taught that faith is not to have a perfect knowledge, rather it is a hope in things which are not seen which are true. (Alma 32:21) This hope is a strong belief in something that is true. Faith, requires us to act. Hence the saying that "...faith, if it hath not works, is dead" (James 2:17) Faith is developed as we are obedient.  We should have faith in Jesus Christ. Alma taught the people what they should do if they were to begin to develop faith. He taught,

"Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me." (Alma 32:28)

If we exercise a desire we have started the process. We then nourish our faith by obeying the commandments of God. Bruce R. McConkie taught “Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present, and the greater the measure of obedience to God’s laws the greater will be the endowment of faith” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 264)(See: John 7:17) As we are obedient to God our faith will be
strengthened.

Faith can help us in our lives. Joseph Smith taught that faith is a principle of action and power. (Lectures on Faith) It helps encourage us to act in the hope that we will accomplish something. Gordon B. Hinckley taught “Faith in something greater than ourselves enables us to do what we have said we'll do, to press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid, to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is entirely uncertain.”(Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues that will Heal our Hearts and Homes, p. 129) 

I know that our faith can grow and be strengthened. I know that as we continue to obey God and grow closer to him we will be blessed with greater strength to accomplish what we need to. We will be better able to endure and overcome our challenges.