Faithful As Christ

FAITHFUL AS CHRIST

What would Jesus do today if He were here? What have I learned about Walking with Christ that will change me for the better? Is my faith stronger than it was? Am I now better able to make decisions based on eternal principles?

Matthew 25:21
1 Corinthians 10:13
Mosiah 2:41
D&C 124:55
D&C 138:11-15
1 Kings 11:38
Psalms 86:11
Proverbs 10:9
Proverbs 20:7
2 Corinthians 5:7

FAITHFUL AS CHRIST QUOTES

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES

Hab. 2:4	The just shall live by faith
Matt. 9:29	According to your faith be it unto you
Matt. 17:20	If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, nothing shall be impossible unto you
Gal. 5:6	Faith worketh by love
1 Ne. 7:12	The Lord is able to do all things for the children of men, if they exercise faith in him
Ether 12:6	Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen
D&C 20:25, 29	All men must endure in faith on his name to the end
D&C 88:118	Seek learning, even by study and also by faith
2 Nephi 25:26	No scripture characterizes our faith better than this one

 THE EXAMPLE OF THE SAVIOR

"To the duty designated by His Father, [the Savior] turned His face, pledged His heart, and gave His life. And what a sinless, selfless, noble, and divine life it was. Jesus labored. Jesus loved. Jesus served. Jesus testified. What finer example could we strive to emulate? Let us begin now, this very night, to do so. Cast off forever will be the old self and with it defeat, despair, doubt, and disbelief. To a newness of life we come—a life of faith, hope, courage, and joy. No task looms too large; no responsibility weighs too heavily; no duty is a burden. All things become possible."[1]

CHRIST CENTERED FAITH

“Our faith is concentrated in the Son of God and through him in the Father, and the Holy Ghost is a minister to bring truths to our remembrance (John 14:26), to reveal new truths to us and teach, guide, direct the course of every mind. Jesus is our captain (Heb. 2:10) and leader, Jesus, Savior of the World, the Christ that we believe in.”[2]

"Our faith is centered in God, our Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. It is bolstered by our knowledge that the fulness of the gospel has been restored to the earth, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that prophets and apostles today hold the keys of the priesthood. We treasure our faith, work to strengthen our faith, pray for increased faith, and do all within our power to protect and defend our faith."[3]

"The scriptures enlarge our memory by helping us to remember the Lord and our relationship to Him and the Father. They remind us of what we knew in our premortal life. And as these things penetrate our minds and hearts, our faith in God and His Beloved Son takes root."[4]

"Our doctrine is clear; we are to be positive and of good cheer. We emphasize our faith, not our fears. We rejoice in the Lord’s assurance that He will stand by us and give us guidance and direction. The Holy Ghost testifies to our hearts that we have a loving Father in Heaven, whose merciful plan for our redemption will be fulfilled in every aspect because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ."[5]

FAITH DURING TRIALS

"You show your trust in [God] when you listen with the intent to learn and repent and then you go and do whatever He asks. If you trust God enough to listen for His message in every sermon, song, and prayer in this conference, you will find it. And if you then go and do what He would have you do, your power to trust Him will grow, and in time you will be overwhelmed with gratitude to find that He has come to trust you."[6]

"We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future."[7]

"Please understand that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and keeping His commandments is and always will be the defining test of mortality. Above all else, each of us must realize that when one is tone deaf to the music of faith, he or she is out of tune with the Spirit. As the prophet Nephi taught, 'Ye have heard his voice … ; and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words.'"[8]

“Temples are more than stone and mortar. They are filled with faith and fasting. They are built of trials and testimonies. They are sanctified by sacrifice and service."[9]

"If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it. And with prophets revealing to us our place in the plan of salvation, we can live with perfect hope and a feeling of peace. We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord’s service, because we never are. We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right, to bear us up. And He always keeps His word."[10]

"How do you remain 'steadfast and immovable' during a trial of faith? You immerse yourself in the very things that helped build your core of faith: you exercise faith in Christ, you pray, you ponder the scriptures, you repent, you keep the commandments, and you serve others."[11]

"Many of us, in moments of personal anguish, feel that God is far from us. The pavilion that seems to intercept divine aid does not cover God but occasionally covers us. God is never hidden, yet sometimes we are, covered by a pavilion of motivations that draw us away from God and make Him seem distant and inaccessible."[12]

EVIDENCE OF FAITH

"An active faith requires more than belief, or assent. We demonstrate that belief in the way we live our lives. Through community service and humanitarian projects we can serve others and help them understand how we follow Christ."[13]

"Our most important work is always within our own home and family. It is within families that the Church is established and real growth occurs. We are to teach our children the principles and doctrines of the gospel. We need to help them have faith in Jesus Christ and prepare them for baptism when they are eight years old. We must be faithful ourselves so that they can see our example of love for the Lord and His Church. This helps our children feel joy in keeping the commandments, happiness in families, and gratitude in service to others."[14]

“President Hinckley [taught] that the symbols of our Christian faith are 'the lives of our people.' Truly, our lives of service and sacrifice are the most appropriate expressions of our commitment to serve the Master and our fellowmen."[15]

“If we have faith in God, we are using one of the great laws of life. The most powerful force in human nature is the spiritual power of faith.”[16]

“Although faith often includes positive thinking, it is much, much more than that. Faith taps into divine sources and is a manifestation of unity and partnership with the Lord. Even the ideas and words formulated by faith come by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and the power to accomplish the words formed by faith comes from God. Even more important, faith leads directly to eternal life, because in exercising faith, we come to know God and His power, and we become like Him.”[17]

CHOOSE FAITH

"Because of the conflicts and challenges we face in today’s world, I wish to suggest a single choice—a choice of peace and protection and a choice that is appropriate for all. That choice is faith. Be aware that faith is not a free gift given without thought, desire, or effort. It does not come as the dew falls from heaven. The Savior said, “Come unto me” ( Matthew 11:28) and “Knock, and it shall be [given] you” ( Matthew 7:7). These are action verbs—come, knock. They are choices. So I say, choose faith. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism.”[18]

“when we choose faith and then nurture that faith to a perfect knowledge of the things of the Lord, then we use the words “I testify” or “I know.”[19]

BLESSINGS OF FAITH

"When faith is properly understood and used, it has dramatically far-reaching effects. Such faith can transform an individual’s life from maudlin, common everyday activities to a symphony of joy and happiness."[20]

"If we pray with an eternal perspective, we need not wonder if our most tearful and heartfelt pleadings are heard. ... God will heed your sincere and heartfelt prayers, and your faith will be strengthened."[21]

“With faith we can rise above those negative elements in our lives which constantly pull us down. With effort we can develop the capacity to subdue those impulses which lead to degrading and evil actions.”[22]

“Faith will help us to safely climb the gospel path, overcome every challenge of mortality,[23] and return to the majestic presence of our Heavenly Father. All things are fulfilled by faith.[24]”[25]

FAITHFUL AS CHRIST - ADDITIONAL NOTES

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[1] Thomas S. Monson, "Examples of Righteousness", Ensign, May 2008

[2] John A Widtsoe, Faith in Israel, April 1947 General Conference

[3] Neil L. Andersen, "Trial of Your Faith", Ensign, November 2012

[4] Todd Christofferson, "How to Build Faith in God Through Scripture", New Era, April 2012

[5] Elder Quentin L. Cook, "In Tune with the Music of Faith", General Conference, Apr. 2012

[6] Henry B. Eyring, "Trust in God, Then Go and Do", Ensign, Nov 2010

[7] Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Best Is Yet to Be", Ensign, January 2010

[8] Elder Quentin L. Cook, "In Tune with the Music of Faith", General Conference, Apr. 2012

[9] Thomas S. Monson, "The Holy Temple–A Beacon to the World", Ensign, May 2011

[10] President Henry B. Eyring, "Mountains to Climb", General Conference, Apr. 2012

[11] Neil L. Andersen, "Trial of Your Faith", Ensign, November 2012

[12] Henry B. Eyring, "Where Is the Pavilion?", Ensign, November 2012

[13] Quentin L. Cook, "Prophet, Apostles Speak at MTC Mission Presidents' Seminar", Church News and Events, June 29, 2012

[14] Elder David F. Evans, "Was It Worth It?", General Conference, Apr. 2012

[15] Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Sacrifice", General Conference, Apr. 2012

[16] Howard W Hunter,  As He Thinketh, April 1960 General Conference

[17] John K Carmack, Faith Yields Priesthood Power, Ensign, May 1993

[18] Richard C Edgley,  Faith – The Choice is Yours, Ensign, Nov 2010

[19] Richard C Edgley,  Faith – The Choice is Yours, Ensign, Nov 2010

[20] Richard G. Scott, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character", Ensign Nov 2010

[21] Russell M. Nelson, "Face the Future with Faith", Ensign, May 2011

[22] Gordon B Hinckley,  God Grant Us Faith, Ensign, Nov 1983

[23] See  Doctrine and Covenants 76:53

[24] See  Doctrine and Covenants 76:53

[25] Marcus B Nash, By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled, Ensign, Nov 2012