The color associated with this value is white.
Experience Requirement:
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.
I read two conference talks. The second of which didn't touch my heart as much as the other so I am on the look out for another Ah-MAZE-Zing talk. The one that I loved can be found here in its entirety. It was a talk given by Kevin w. Pearson of the Seventy at the April 2009 General Conference.
The one part of this talk that stood out to me the most was this part:
When we teach our children by example or precept to be casual or situational in obeying God’s commandments, we prevent them from receiving this vital spiritual gift. Faith requires an attitude of exact obedience, even in the small, simple things.How that spoke to me! It made me think of the small things that we treat with such a casual nature, and that I am teaching my children that maybe it really isn't that important but it really is very important. The sentence right before this states "If we desire more faith, we most be more obedient." How true that is! I think when you are obedient you, you are living by faith that Heavenly Father will always take care of you. That is not to say you will not experience hard things, only that you can handle and endure hard things.
I put off reading Hebrews to the last, don't ask me why. This chapter gave a list of so many stories where people acted on faith. It mentions Noah. I am not sure I had but much value into the faith of his actions. But focusing on faith and remembering this story, HOLY COW! Did that not take and abundance of faith to be a freak show, but obedient. The ridicule, and mocking that happened to him. In a dessert building a huge boat. Noah is a giant among faithful men!
Likening these stories to my life is a little on the difficult side. I am not being asked to do any of these huge things like sacrifice my son or like Moses, who could have had a pretty easy life, turned his back on the Pharaoh and helped the Lord's people. I do great things like raise up a tiny little army of 6 who get to go in the world and show love to all man. Which isn't that hard considering they came to me with such sweet personalities.
Going on to the verses noted in Alma, it starts off by questing those who will offer faith if they are shown miracles, or God in action. How do you feel about that? It is so hard to believe that people could KNOW Christ, then forget him so easily. I haven't seen Him in person, but I have experienced his love and blessings in my life. All too often when I am in dire need I remember to turn to Him for comfort, peace and direction. Then when things are back to normal, I let that desire slip away. This is not living by faith. I am truly enjoying the challenge to say my morning and evening prayers every day. It may be a few minutes but it is a time where I can pour my heart out to the Lord and if I am patient enough I may even here an answer right then. Either way I know he hears me and will answer my prayers when it is the right time.
In Ether 12:12 it says "For if there be no afaith among the children of men God can do no bmiracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith." Faith precedes miracles. It is because of our faith that miracles can happen.
Finally in the Joseph Smith History verses, he mentions the Book of James when he says ask and it shall be given to you. Joseph Smith did ask for direction with a sincere heart and contrite spirit. He knew he would get an answer to his prayers, and sure enough he did. If he was any less faithful, his answer may have come differently, but this was powerful.
I am so grateful for the gift of faith and the many examples and opportunities to learn and grow. I am thankful that Heavenly Father loves me enough to make mistakes but also enough to give me a way to return to Him. There are many examples in the scriptures that I can glean a lesson or many from. Hopefully it all adds up to making me a better friend, a better mother and a better wife!
