Looking Forward With Faith

I was asked to speak today on faith as an attribute of Jesus Christ, as presented in Preach My Gospel. As I have pondered and prepared, I keep coming back to the definition given in Alma 32:21 and in Hebrews 11:1, and how these apply throughout the Book of Mormon and to us today.

From Alma: “And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.” And from Paul to the Hebrews: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

The first principle of the gospel is specifically faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. In other words, we hope in Him, though we have not seen Him. A simple Primary song reminds us:

“We do not see the wind;
We only hear it sigh.
It makes the grasses bend
Whenever it goes by.

“We do not see God’s love,
But in our hearts we know
He watches over us
Wherever we may go.

“We do not have to see
To know the wind is here;
We do not have to see
To know God’s love is near.”

In the chapters already mentioned, Paul describes what many of the patriarchs of the Old Testament did by faith, while Alma describes treating faith like a seed that we plant and nurture. I would encourage everyone to reread these chapters to be reminded of faith. But my thoughts this week have been continually directed to looking forward with faith.

Nephi said, “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” (2 Nephi 25:26) Hundreds of years before Christ was born, the Nephites were focused on His coming and rejoiced in knowing He would come.

Abinadi taught, “And now if Christ had not come into the world, speaking of things to come as though they had already come, there could have been no redemption.” (Mosiah 16:6) His faith was so strong that it did not matter that Christ had not yet been born; he knew the atonement had been promised, and that he would be redeemed.

At the time of Christ’s birth, the believers “…did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain.” (3 Nephi 1:8) They knew the unbelievers had threatened them with death, but they held fast to their faith and hope in Jesus Christ and His coming. That very night the sign of Christ’s birth, the sign they were waiting and watching for was given.

Moroni describes the wars among the Lamanites after the Nephite civilization had ended: “because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ. And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.” (Moroni 1:2-3)

In some of these cases, a prophet saw a vision following his expression of faith. In many others, the ordinary people heard the words of a prophet, had faith, and nurtured that faith.

We, too, are in a time where we can look forward with faith—in our case to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. We can nurture our faith in him and in His teachings and trust that He will return to the earth in His glory.

President Nelson has given many teachings of hope and of building faith, as well: “But, my dear brothers and sisters, so many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns ‘with power and great glory,’ He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful.” Are we watching for those manifestations of His power ? We don’t necessarily know what all those privileges, blessings, and miracles may be, but he also has taught us to “seek and expect miracles.” This was part of five steps he gave: “Get on the covenant path and stay there. Experience the joy of repenting daily. Learn about God and how He works. Seek and expect miracles. Strive to end conflict in your life.” As we follow these steps, we will be better equipped to recognize the miracles that come through our faith. We will recognize the manifestations of the Savior’s power.

One miracle I have seen this month was with a cousin. My parents let me know that my aunt had requested prayers for a cousin who had a growth apparently attached to an ovary. The day she went in for surgery, I texted my aunt to let her know the whole family had been on my mind that day and that I had been praying for this cousin. She texted me back, letting me know that the surgery went well, and that they found the growth was attached to the ovary but nothing else. A few days later, she let me know that the biopsy showed it was benign. As a sense of relief washed over me, I offered a prayer of gratitude for the answer to many humble prayers of faith.

Additional blessings are promised as we learn to “hear Him”—to hear the messages our Savior shares with us: “What will happen as you more intentionally hear, hearken, and heed what the Savior has said and what He is saying now through His prophets? I promise that you will be blessed with additional power to deal with temptation, struggles, and weakness. I promise miracles in your marriage, family relationships, and daily work. And I promise that your capacity to feel joy will increase even if turbulence increases in your life.” Do we trust these prophetic promises? Do we believe that they are promised by Jesus Christ through His prophet? As we intentionally increase our faith and follow Jesus Christ, we can find more joy even if turbulence increases!

Finally, “Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Learn more about His Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression. Turn to Him! Follow Him!” Last fall, our family was able to be in Beaver during the annular eclipse. That was the first time that I had experienced the temperature change associated with an eclipse. Both light and warmth were significantly decreased. I thought of how symbolic that was. Jesus Christ is the way. He is our Redeemer and has prepared the way back to our Heavenly Father. How often do we eclipse His light and love in our own lives by allowing other things to take priority? When we need healing, help, repentance, joy, “the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.”

I close with more from Alma: “And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.”

Each step of the way in nurturing our faith, we can feel the love of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We can eventually partake of the fruit of the tree of life. I know that Jesus Christ has prepared the way back to our Heavenly Father. I am thankful for the strength and reassurance I can receive each day as I turn to Him and trust in Him. I love Him. I know He loves me, and that He loves each of you. I look forward in faith to His return to the earth, when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is our Redeemer. Until that day, we can each strive to come to know Him now. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.