O come, let us adore Him - Day 9

Christlike attributes are gifts from God.  They don't necessarily come naturally to us since we are imperfect human beings continually trying to put off the natural men (and women.) Mosiah 3:19.  As we strive to become more like our Savior, we can, through patience, trial and error, find what our strengths are and work to develop our weaknesses.

Faith in Jesus Christ is the first attribute.

It is pretty basic, but it is very profound.  Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things.  Alma 32:21 When we have faith in Christ, we believe that he is actually the Son of God in the flesh.  We accept him as our Savior and Redeemer.  We believe that he was born to a mortal mother named Mary and that our Heavenly Father was actually his Father.  We know that he lived and walked the earth and that he taught through his perfect example, how to live life. Faith starts as a small light and can grow into a large flame given the proper watch care, nourishment and fuel.

painting by Simon Dewey

Faith needs to be nourished.  It needs to be feed to keep the bright light burning.  Such basic practices such as prayer, scripture reading, service, sharing faith promoting experiences with others, attending church and the temple, and encouraging others help to keep the light burning brightly and to build that flame into an unquenchable roaring fire.  Those who feel their faith being tested or diminished can turn to these practices to add fuel to their fire of faith.  The necessity of this cannot be understated.  We need to feel the Spirit of our Heavenly Father to be reminded of who we are and what our purposes are here on the earth in this mortal period of time. Our faith is either growing or it is becoming weaker.  The choice is ours.  The future of our faith is not by chance, but by choice.

Faith leads to action.  Once we have felt the stirring of the Holy Ghost and we have let the seed of faith grow in us, we desire to take action.  We want to see others experience the peace, hope and comfort that we enjoy through our faith.  Faith in Jesus Chris is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on to it.

At this time of year, I ask myself, "How does the Savior see my faith?"   Am I doing the things I need to do to feed it every day?  Am I taking the time each day to do essential things to nourish my faith to keep it fueled?  I started reading the Book of Mormon again in the middle of October.  I accepted a challenge from a friend to read the Book of Mormon in 80 days.  She gave me a reading schedule to follow and I am on track to finish on New Year's eve.  This has been a wonderful faith promoting activity for me.  I've loved reading several chapters each day and contemplating the words of wisdom and many faith promoting and very challenging experiences of the Nephites and the Lamanites.  I would encourage anyone who is experiencing trials and loss of faith to read the Book of Mormon.  It will strengthen your faith.

"How we live our lives increases or diminishes our faith.   Because there is an adversary who delights in destroying our faith.  Be relentless in protecting your faith.  Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon give us beautiful assurance that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  Faith is a choice.  

Although your beginning fire of faith may be small, righteous choices bring greater confidence in God and your faith grows.  The difficulties of mortality blow against you, and evil forces lurk in the darkness, hoping to extinguish your faith.  But as you continue to make good choices, trust in God and follow His Son, the Lord send increased light and knowledge, and your faith becomes settled and unwavering.

Strengthen your faith, and live to be deserving of the Savior's approving words:  "Great is thy faith."  As you do, I promise you that your faith, through the grace of Jesus Christ, will one day allow you to stand with those you love, clean and pure in the presence of God."  This talk was given by Elder Neil L. Andersen.