Faith #1

1. The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Learn about faith from the scriptures and living prophets. Read Hebrews 11; Alma 32:17–43; Ether 12:6–22; and Joseph Smith—History 1:11–20. Read two general conference talks on faith. Exercise your own faith by establishing a habit of prayer in your life. Begin by regularly saying your morning and evening prayers. After three weeks of following this pattern, discuss with a parent or leader what you have learned about faith and how daily personal prayer has strengthened your faith. In your journal express your feelings about faith and prayer.

October 24, 2010

~ Learn about Faith ~
* Hebrews 11 - faith is things hoped for; we must believe in God and He will reward us though sometimes those rewards come after this life. Paul gives us many examples of people who had great faith so that we can better understand it. My favorite is regarding Sara who never lost faith and hope that she would have children because the Lord had promised her. I feel like I am in her shoes right now. I too have been promised and now I must be patient, always believing that the blessing will come.
* Alma 32:17-43 - faith is things hoped for; we must nourish our faith with great care by praying and recognizing blessings that come to us, attending church and the temple, reading scriptures, etc.; faith takes works/actions.
* Ether 12:6-22 - again faith is things hoped for; miracles come about because of faith.
* JSH 1:11-20 - Joseph Smith had great faith to know that if he prayed God would give him an answer; his faith was so great he was visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ.
* "Faith in Adversity" by Rafael E. Pino (Ensign, May 2009) - the family has faith that if they do their part they will be with their daughter again; faith requires us and helps us accept the will of God under trying circumstances; the atonement can take away our pain and sorrow; if we have faith nothing can go permanently wrong; faith gives us confidence to face and endure adversity.
* "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ" by Kevin W. Pearson (Ensign, May 2009) - faith requires action and is developed by obedience and gives us enormous spiritual power; faith and fear cannot coexist and fear is destructive while faith is power!