Every child
must learn that faith sufficient to perfection can only be developed by
sacrifice and except he learns to sacrifice of his appetites and [physical]
desires in obedience to the laws of the Gospel he cannot be sanctified and made
holy before the Lord.
In order for
good to blossom it must be cultivated and exercised by constant practice, and
to be truly righteous there is required a daily pruning of the evil growth of
our characters by a daily repentance from sin. … “Chapter 4: The First Principles and
Ordinances of the Gospel,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B.
Lee
Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: “Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present, and the greater the measure of obedience to God’s laws the greater will be the endowment of faith” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 264). If we desire more faith, we must be more obedient. 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.
Desire is a particle of faith that develops within us as we experience divine truth. It is like spiritual photosynthesis. The influence of the Holy Ghost, acting on the Light of Christ within every human being, produces the spiritual equivalent of a chemical reaction—a stirring, a change of heart, or a desire to know. Hope develops as particles of faith become molecules and as simple efforts to live true principles occur.
As patterns of obedience develop, the specific blessings associated with obedience are realized and belief emerges. Desire, hope, and belief are forms of faith, but faith as a principle of power comes from a consistent pattern of obedient behavior and attitudes. Personal righteousness is a choice. Faith is a gift from God, and one possessed of it can receive enormous spiritual power.” Kevin W. Pearson, “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 2009, 38–40
We need a strong faith in Christ to be able to repent. Our faith
has to include a “correct idea of [God’s] character, perfections, and
attributes” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 38). If we believe that God knows all things, is loving, and is merciful, we
will be able to put our trust in Him for our salvation without wavering. Faith
in Christ will change our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are not in
harmony with God’s will.” --Dieter
F. Uchtdorf, “Point
of Safe Return”, Apr. 2007
Faith is a conviction that God knows us and loves us and will hear our prayers and answer them with what is best for us.
In fact, God will do more than what is best for us. He will do what is best for us and for all of our Heavenly Father’s children. The conviction that the Lord knows more than we do and that he will answer our prayers in the way that is best for us and for all of his other children is a vital ingredient of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
My beloved young sisters, each of you needs to build a reservoir of faith so you can draw upon it when someone you love or respect betrays you, when some scientific discovery seems to cast doubt on a gospel principle, or when someone makes light of sacred things, such as the name of God or the sacred ceremonies of the temple. You need to draw on your reservoir of faith when you are weak or when someone else calls on you to strengthen them. You also need to draw on your reservoir of faith when some requirement of Church membership or service interferes with your personal preferences. Elder Oaks
James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ
But there is in Christ's question,
"Who touched me?" a deeper significance than could inhere in a simple
inquiry as to the identity of an individual; and this is implied in the Lord's
further words: "Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that
virtue is gone out of me." The usual external act by which His miracles
were wrought was a word or a command, sometimes accompanied by the laying on of
hands, or by some other physical ministration as in anointing the eyes of a
blind man. That there was an
actual giving of His own strength to the afflicted whom He healed is evident
from the present instance.
Passive belief on the
part of a would-be recipient of blessing is insufficient; only when it is
vitalized into active faith is it a power; so also of one who ministers in the
authority given of God, mental and spiritual energy must be operative if the
service is to be effective.
2 Nephi 3:21 Because of their
faith
their words shall proceed forth out of my mouth unto their brethren who are the
fruit of thy loins; and the weakness of their words will I make strong in their
faith,
unto the remembering of my covenant which I made unto thy fathers.
Enos 1:5-8 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy
sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. And I said: Lord, how is it done? And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in
Christ
Mosiah
27:14 And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of
his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for
he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that
thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the
Alma 32:26 Now, as I said concerning faith—that it
was not a perfect knowledge—even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of
their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith
is a perfect knowledge.
Alma 34:16 And thus
mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of
safety, while he that exercises no faith unto
repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore
only unto him that has faith unto repentance is
brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.
Alma 37:40
And it did work for them according to their faith
in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe
that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go,
Alma 37:33
Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord
Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in
heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ether 12:6
And now, I, Moroni ,
would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen;
wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until
after the trial of your faith.
Ether 12:7 For it was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers, after
he had risen from the dead; and he showed not himself unto them until after
they had faith in him; wherefore, it must needs be
that some had faith in him, for he showed himself
not unto the world.
Ether
12:19 And there were many whose faith was so
exceedingly strong, even before Christ came, who could not be kept from within
the veil, but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with
an eye of faith, and they were glad.
Ether 12:20 And behold, we
have seen in this record that one of these was the brother of Jared; for so
great was his faith
in God, that when God put forth his finger he could not hide it from the sight
of the brother of Jared, because of his word which he had spoken unto him,
which word he had obtained by faith.
Ether
12:30 And if he had not had faith it would not
have moved; wherefore thou workest after men have faith.
Moroni 7:37
Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith
that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that
angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo
be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.
Moroni 7:38
For no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have
faith in his name;
James 2: 14-21:21 Joseph Smith Translation Seest thou how works wrought with his faith, and by works was faith
made perfect?
James 2: 14-21:14 Joseph Smith Translation What profit is it, my brethren, for a man to
say he hath faith, and hath not works? can faith save him?
Doctrine and
Covenants 63:11 Yea, signs come by faith, unto
mighty works, for without faith no man pleaseth
God;
Doctrine and
Covenants 109:7 And as all have not faith,
seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of
the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith;
