What Does It Mean To Have Faith In Jesus Christ?

What is Faith?

Faith In ChristFaith is the foundation of personal testimony. The first principles of the gospel begin with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul said that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Exercising faith is how we open ourselves up to God’s grace. As we trust Jesus Christ enough to keep His commandments and do His work, He sends His Spirit to help us become more like Him.

Faith is Essential For SalvationFaith in Jesus Christ not only brings blessings in this life, but it is essential to our eternal salvation and exaltation. Scripture declares, “All men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.”

Faith Requires Action

There were two young boys returning home late one afternoon. It was getting dark, and they should have been home earlier. Knowing they were in trouble, they decided to save a little time and take a shortcut by going through a pasture. The boys were well aware they were not to go into the pasture. The property was posted with “no trespassing” signs because of the presence of a large, mean bull. It was getting dark, and since the bull was in an area of the pasture where he couldn’t see the boys, they decided to attempt the shortcut. After they had crawled under the fence, and were about halfway across the pasture—at the point of no return—the bull spotted them and charged in their direction. The boys began running, but one of them stopped and said, “Wait, let’s kneel down and pray for help.” The other boy said, “If you want to stop and kneel down and pray, you do it, but I’m going to run and pray.”

Do all we can as we exercise Faith

Sometimes we tend to believe that if we have enough faith, anything can happen without our really putting forth much

effort, without doing all that is possible, or without “running as hard as we can and praying on the run.” The Lord expects

us to do all in our power as we exercise our faith.

Faith Without Works Is Dead James 1:5-6

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

James 2:17

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

What Would Happen If This Boat Only Had One Oar?

Faith

Belief

Action

Belief and Action are required in order for our Faith to grow.

Principle of Action Faith is a principle of action and power. Whenever you work

toward a worthy goal, you exercise faith. You show your hope for something that you cannot yet see.

The Savior promised, “If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me” (Moroni 7:33). Faith in Jesus Christ can motivate you to follow His perfect example (see John 14:12).

Faith Can Bless Our Lives

Build Faith & Find Joy

When faith is properly understood and used, it has dramatically far-reaching effects. Such faith can transform an individual’s life from common everyday activities to a symphony of joy and happiness. Richard G. Scott

Faith Will Lead You To… Your faith can lead you

to do good works, obey the commandments, repent of your sins and to overcome temptation.

Mighty Miracles The Lord will work mighty miracles in your life

according to your faith (see 2 Nephi 26:13).

Healing Faith in Jesus Christ

helps you receive spiritual and physical healing through His Atonement (see 3 Nephi 9:13–14).

Strength & Courage When times of trial come, faith can give you strength to press

forward and face your hardships with courage. Even when the future seems uncertain, your faith in the Savior can give you peace (see Romans 5:1; Helaman 5:47).

Video: A Pure & Simple Faith

How Do I Nurture My Faith?

Nurture: To nourish or feed, to help grow develop or cultivate

PrayerYou can nurture the gift of faith by praying to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. As you express your gratitude to your Father and as you plead with Him for blessings that you and others need, you will draw near to Him. You will draw near to the Savior, whose Atonement makes it possible for you to plead for mercy (see

Alma 33:11). You will also be receptive to the quiet guidance of the Holy Ghost.

Nurture Your Faith Faith is a gift from God, but you must nurture your faith to keep

it strong. Faith is like the muscle of your arm. If you exercise it, it grows strong. If you put it in a sling and leave it there, it becomes weak.

Keep The CommandmentsYou can nurture and strengthen

your faith by keeping the commandments. Like all

blessings from God, faith is obtained and increased through

individual obedience and righteous action. If you desire to enrich your faith to the highest possible degree, you must keep the covenants you have made.

You can also nurture & develop your faith by

studying the scriptures & the words of latter-day prophets.

Tiny Seed to A Great Tree Although faith is a gift, it must be nurtured, cultured

and sought after until it grows from a tiny seed to a great tree.

What Do I Do If I Have Doubts or Don’t Understand

Something?

If, because of unbelief or doubt, you find your faith wavering, remember that even the ancient Apostles implored the Lord to “increase our faith.” That is why we are commanded to “seek learning … by study and also by faith.” Remember, faith precedes and produces miracles for which we have no immediate explanation. (Elder Marcus Nash)

Fear distracts from and undermines faith in the Savior. The Apostle Peter looked to the Lord one stormy night and walked on water—until he averted his gaze and “saw the wind boisterous [and] was afraid” and then sank into the stormy sea. He could have continued walking if he had not feared!

Rather than our focusing upon & fearing the boisterous wind & waves in our lives, the Lord invites us to “look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”

President Thomas S. Monson has stated,

“The future is as bright as your faith.”

I testify of that sublime, hopeful truth and invite each of us to steadfastly press forward with faith in the Lord, “nothing wavering.” (Elder Nash)

The World Is Looking To YouNow is the time to go forward with faith. It is the time to be found keeping the commandments of God. It is the time to exercise your faith by being prayerful and obedient. As you exercise your faith by following these standards with exactness, you will find that you will be happy and have more opportunities to share the gospel and your beliefs with others. Living these standards will give you freedom, not restrict you.

October 2008 Young Women’s General Presidency

The World Is Looking To YouAs you go forward with faith, you will reap the promised blessings and the Lord will pour out His Spirit upon you. With His Spirit to guide you, you will know what to do and how to respond in every circumstance, and you will be keeping your baptismal covenant to always remember Him.

October 2008 Young Women’s General Presidency

The World Is Looking To YouYou are the youth of the noble birthright, a royal generation, and a generation of destiny. Your faith will make all the difference in a world that is looking for goodness and light. The world is looking to you for example and leadership. Therefore, “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

October 2008 Young Women’s General Presidency