Faith

The Apostle Paul taught that “faith is the assurance of

things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews

11:1; see footnote b). Alma made a similar statement: “If ye

have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are

true” (Alma 32:21).

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.

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

In order for your faith to lead you to salvation, it must be

centered in the Lord Jesus Christ (see Acts 4:10–12; Mosiah

3:17; Moroni 7:24–26; Articles of Faith 1:4). You can exercise

faith in Christ when you have an assurance that He exists, a

correct idea of His character, and a knowledge that you are

striving to live according to His will.

Having faith in Jesus Christ means relying completely on

Him—trusting in His infinite power, intelligence, and love. It

includes believing His teachings. It means believing that

even though you do not understand all things, He does.

Remember that because He has experienced all your pains,

afflictions, and infirmities, He knows how to help you rise

above your daily difficulties (see Alma 7:11–12; D&C 122:8).

He has “overcome the world” ( John 16:33) and prepared the

way for you to receive eternal life. He is always ready to help

you as you remember His plea: “Look unto me in every

thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:36).

Living by Faith

Faith is much more than passive belief. You express your

faith through action—by the way you live.

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). Your faith can lead you

to do good works, obey the commandments, and repent of

your sins (see James 2:18; 1 Nephi 3:7; Alma 34:17). Your faith

can help you overcome temptation. Alma counseled his son

Helaman, “Teach them to withstand every temptation of the

devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Alma 37:33).

The Lord will work mighty miracles in your life according

to your faith (see 2 Nephi 26:13). Faith in Jesus Christ

helps you receive spiritual and physical healing through His

Atonement (see 3 Nephi 9:13–14). 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).

Increasing 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.

You 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.

You can 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 develop your faith by studying the scriptures

and the words of latter-day prophets. The prophet

Alma taught that the word of God helps strengthen faith.

Comparing the word to a seed, he said that the “desire to

believe” can lead you to “give place” for the word to be

“planted in your heart.” Then you will feel that the word is

good, for it will begin to enlarge your soul and enlighten

your understanding. This will strengthen your faith. As you

continually nurture the word in your heart, “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.” (See Alma 32:26–43.)

Additional references: Hebrews 11; James 1:5–6; 2:14–26; Ether 12:4–27;

Moroni 7:20–48; D&C 63:7–11; 90:24

See also Baptism; God the Father; Jesus Christ; Repentance