THE BLESSINGS OR EFFECTS THAT COME FROM TRUE FAITH

We've discussed faith and how it can be developed. We will here focus on the blessings generated from faith. 

Elder David Baxter taught that faith in Jesus Christ is a motivating, transforming power. He said: " Such faith is like spiritual oxygen. As we allow faith to freely flow within us, it awakens and enlivens our spiritual senses. It breathes life into our very souls."

He continued by saying "As faith flows, we become sensitively attuned to the whisperings of the Spirit. Our minds are enlightened, our spiritual pulse quickens, our hearts are touched. Faith fuels hope. Our perspective changes; our vision becomes clearer. We begin to look for the best,not the worst, in life and in others. We gain a deeper sense of life’s purpose and meaning. Despair gives way to joy."

I really love the words of Elder Baxter because it shows how the first principle of the gospel enlivens us with a newness of enthusiasm and confidence.

Faith born out of obedience, scripture study and hearing the word of God  gives us power to face life's challenges, helps us to change the desires of our hearts and experience a spiritual and perhaps a physical healing in our lives.

In teaching about the word of God, Alma taught in Alma 32:41-43 the following.

41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.

42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.

43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.

I am grateful for Alma's words. I bear you my solemn witness that these posts on faith are true. That we may all reap the blessings of true faith is my prayer in the name of the Holy Messiah, even Christ Jesus, Amen.

MORE ON DEVELOPING FAITH

We pointed out the last time how obedience is key to the development of faith. Now we can focus on two more principles that build our faith- scripture study and hearing the word of God. Again, I'll refer back to the great teacher I spoke of last week. He taught this principle by saying: 

"Study of the scriptures is the conduit by which spirituality infuses into the soul.   It is the path to spiritual awakening.  Paul said: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17)   Faith increases as we listen to and learn the word of God.   The scriptures can bring us out of spiritual darkness and into the marvelous light of the gospel.  Alma in describing those whose hearts were changed, who came out of a deep sleep and awoke unto God stated: “their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word. (Alma 5:7)

The scriptures provide us with a “pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived.” (D&C 52:14)   The Savior specifically promised us: “And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived.  (JS-M 1:37)  Regular scripture study keeps us away from the abyss of Satan’s subtle lies and sophistries. 

The scriptures school us in correct doctrine, eternal principles and help us discern truth from error.  Thus Paul taught Timothy:  “And all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (JST 2 Tim. 3:16-17)   Alma observed that the word of God can have an incredibly powerful effect to lead us to do that which is right, indeed it can have a more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than anything else.  “Therefore, Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.”  (Alma 31:5) 

Studying and pondering the scriptures creates an environment in which personal revelation is received.  Many of the great revelations in our dispensation were born of scripture study:  Joseph Smith’s first vision, the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood, the 76^th section, the 138^th section and so on.  Elder McConkie said: “Those who study, ponder and pray about the scriptures, seeking to understand their deep and hidden meanings, receive from time to time great outpourings of light and knowledge from the Spirit.”  (Holy Writ Published Anew, p. 1)   

I testify from my own experience that study of the Book of Mormon instructs us when we are ignorant, gives us hope in moments of despair, joy in times of sorrow, peace in times of uncertainty, answers in times of doubt, calls us to repentance in times of sin and awakens us when we are asleep.  The scriptures give us the strength to endure temptation, the resolve to endure to the end and the hope of eternal life.  I started studying the scriptures with real intent when I was 18.  At first it was incredibly difficult to get much from them.  But gradually, from then until now, my life has become filled with great appreciation and love for the word of God.  The study of the scriptures has anchored my soul on the rock of my Redeemer.  When I have felt spiritually adrift, I have immersed myself in the Book of Mormon and my focus and perspective have been regained.  There have been many times in my life when personal revelation came to me in the very language of the scriptures which I had studied.   On many occasions, scriptures come to my mind to teach principles and doctrine and to provide counsel.  

I invite you to immerse yourself in the scriptures and find the power that comes from studying the word of God.     I end with this promise from Joseph Smith: “Search the scriptures, study the revelations which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory, nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit.  You will then know for yourselves and not for another.  You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation. “(Teachings, p. 11-12)"

I bear solemn witness that as we study the scriptures our faith increases in our Savior and with this power comes peace and direction in our lives. Hence, the second drops of oil in our lamp of faith is scripture study and hearing the word of God in Church or during conferences and devotionals.

PROCESS OF DEVELOPING FAITH

A couple of months ago I learned a very powerful principle from a great teacher. He was able to clearly point out the link between Obedience and Faith. In his own words he said:

"Our faith grows as we are obedient.  To paraphrase Elder Bruce R. McConkie, faith and the power of the Holy Ghost come as gifts from God.   They are always given when righteousness is present and the greater the degree of obedience to God’s laws, the greater will be the endowment of faith and the greater will be the influence of the Spirit.   Joseph Smith taught that faith to accomplish great things grows out of being in harmony with God’s laws.   If we obey with exactness the commandments, we are in a position to call on the powers of heaven, through faith, to help us accomplish our righteous desires.

Exercising faith to draw on the powers of heaven will make it possible for us to achieve righteous desires.  It has been said that a righteous desire is more than a mere wish.   It is a motivating conviction that moves one to action.  To that end it would be helpful to:  (1) write down the righteous desire in the form of a goal being as specific as possible; (2) decide a time when this goal will be accomplished; (3) consistently pray about this goal and tell the Lord what effort and sacrifice will be made to reach it; (4) specify the plan of action  to accomplish the goal;   (5) Think about and concentrate on this goal consistently; and (6) work steadily toward achieving this goal. 

Faith growing out of obedience comes when we focus relentlessly on achieving our righteous objectives.   We must set our goals in harmony with the Spirit and then work without ceasing and constantly focus our thoughts and efforts on achieving these righteous goals.  When our mind is in harmony with the will of God because of righteousness, then our work will be the Lord’s work.  “And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done.   But know this, it shall be given you what you shall ask.” (D&C 50:29-30) 

Joseph Smith said “When a man works by faith he works by mental exertion instead of by physical force.” (Lectures on Faith, 7:3).   Mental exertion includes being fully conscious of our thought process and training ourselves to scrutinize our thoughts and to replace thoughts that detract from faith with thoughts that increase our faith. “Let virtue garnish your thoughts unceasingly, then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God and . . . the Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion.”  (D&C 121:45-46)   To exercise mental exertion, we must have power and dominion over our mind.     The full power of the mind is only realized when it is specifically focused and directed, when our “minds become single to God.” (D&C 88:67-68)  When our minds become focused on accomplishing our purpose and reaching our righteous goals, we will be able to unlock the powers of heaven. " 

In sum, the first drops of oil in our lamp of faith is obedience- obedience to the laws of God. May the Lord bless you and keep you as you develop faith through obedience. 

                 

GLIMPSES OF THE MEANING OF FAITH

Faith in Jesus Christ is a firm belief that He is the only Begotten Son of God, and that He is our Savior and Redeemer. The word 'savior' means one who rescues from danger. One of the definitions for 'redeemer' is one who pays off debts owed. We therefore exercise faith in Jesus Christ by believing that He rescues us from physical death and has paid the price for our sins through His *Atonement.

Faith in Jesus Christ leads to the conviction that it is only through His(Christ's) grace and mercy that we return to live with Heavenly Father again. 'Grace' is a word that means divine love and protection. Elder Bednar explains 'grace' as the enabling power of the Atonement. My favorite synonym for mercy is kindness. Hence faith in Christ helps us recognize that it is only through His divine love and protection or the enabling power of His Atonement and His kindness that we return to live with our Father in Heaven again.

Truly, we show our faith in Jesus Christ by accepting and applying His Atonement and teachings to our lives.

*Atonement: The event that enables us to be reconciled to God. To
atone is to suffer the penalty for sin, thereby removing the effects
of sin from repentant sinners. Jesus Christ was the only one capable
of making a perfect Atonement for all mankind. His Atonement
included His suffering for our sins, the shedding of His blood, and
His death and Resurrection. Because of the Atonement, everyone
who has lived will be resurrected. The Atonement also provides us
with a way to be forgiven of our sins and to live forever with God.
(Plan of Salvation Pamphlet, Page18)