What Is Faith?
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel. It is a spiritual gift, and it is necessary to our salvation. Faith is a “hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Hebrews 11:1).
Faith is a principle of action and power that motivates our day-to-day activities. Would we study and learn if we did not believe we could obtain wisdom and knowledge? Would we work each day if we did not hope that by doing so we could accomplish something? Would a farmer plant if he did not expect to harvest? Each day we act upon things we hope for when we cannot see the end result. This is faith (See Hebrews 11:3).
Many scriptural stories tell how great things were accomplished through faith.
By faith Noah built an ark and saved his family from the flood (see Hebrews 11:7).
Moses parted the waters of the Red Sea (see Hebrews 11:29).
Elijah called down fire from heaven (see 1 Kings 18:17-40).
As we carefully study the scriptures, we learn that faith is a strong belief of truth within our souls that motivates us to do good. This causes us to ask: In whom should we have faith?
- Think about your everyday activities. What are things you act upon each day that you cannot see the end results of? How does faith move you to action?
Why Should We Have Faith in Jesus Christ?
We must center our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ . To have faith in Jesus Christ means to have such trust in Him that we obey whatever He commands. As we place our faith in Jesus Christ, becoming His obedient disciples, Heavenly Father will forgive our sins and prepare us to return to Him. The Apostle Peter preached that “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Through faith in the Savior and through repentance, we make His atonement fully effective in our lives. Through faith we can also receive strength to overcome temptations. We cannot have faith in Jesus Christ without also having faith in our Heavenly Father. If we have faith in Them, we will also have faith that the Holy Ghost, whom They send, will teach us all truth and will comfort us .
- How can faith in Jesus Christ influence us in our Church callings?
- In our family relationships? In our jobs? How does faith in Jesus Christ influence our hope for eternal life?
How Can We Increase Our Faith in Jesus Christ?
Knowing of the many blessings that come through exercising faith in Jesus Christ, we should seek to increase our faith in Him
The Savior said, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20). A mustard seed is very small, but it grows into a large tree. How can we increase our faith? The same way we increase or develop any other skill . How do we develop skills in woodcarving, weaving, painting, cooking, making pottery, or playing a musical instrument? We study and practice and work at it. As we do so, we improve . So it is with faith . If we want to increase our faith in Jesus Christ, we must work at it.
We can increase our faith in God by acting on our desire to have faith in Him .
We can also increase our faith by praying to Heavenly Father about our hopes, desires, and needs. But we must not suppose that all we have to do is ask . We are told in the scriptures that “faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17) .