But by the power of the Spirit, in the redemption of Christ, through obedience, we often catch a spark from the awakened memories of the immortal soul, which lights up our whole being as with the glory of our former home. the record of heaven the Comforter the peaceable things of immortal glory." The words of Christ lift our sense of what is possible and strengthen our faith in Him because we feel "the record of heaven." President Joseph F. We receive what the Lord called "the words of eternal life. When the Lord's servants bear witness of Christ, "the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." As Alma taught us, if our hearts are open to the Spirit, the words of Christ stir our souls. This is what the scriptures call "the words of Christ." Increased faith in Jesus Christ is a gift of the Spirit "come from God, for the benefit of the children of God." It comes by hearing the chosen servants of the Lord bear witness of Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost. We trust in His will, His timing, and His way. faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith in Jesus Christ is the spiritual assurance and evidence that inspires confidence and trust in Him, in His power, and in what He says and promises. I will speak about three fundamental principles: 1) faith in Jesus Christ is a gift of the Spirit 2) faith in Christ is a principle of action and 3) faith in Christ is a principle of power.įaith in Jesus Christ is a Gift of the Spirit I want to focus today on what you and I can do to have faith like a grain of mustard seed-active, dynamic faith in Jesus Christ that brings heavenly power into our lives. The Savior's message is clear: If your faith in Jesus Christ is active and vibrant, if it grows and develops in you like the mustard seed grows and develops into a tree, "nothing shall be impossible unto you." It can grow into a tree so large and inviting that birds come to lodge there. Remember what we have learned about the mustard seed: It isn't just tiny it is incredibly dynamic. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?Īnd Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place and it shall remove and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Please keep this image in your minds and turn now to Matthew, chapter 17, verses 19 and 20. Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. Please turn with me to Matthew, chapter 13, verses 31 and 32:Īnother parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: In the parable of the grain of mustard seed, the Savior taught His apostles about the kind of faith we need. We know that Heavenly Father has prepared for you marvelous gifts and blessings that will increase your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We know of the challenges you face now, and we know something of the storms and tests you will face in the years ahead. You and I are embarked on a great journey in a world no less challenging and perhaps even more spiritually dangerous than the one the pioneers faced. he great test of life is to see whether we will hearken to and obey God's commands in the midst of the storms of life. Those spiritual storms are already raging. nurtured faith in Jesus Christ long before Satan hits us, as he will, with doubts and appeals to our carnal desires and with lying voices saying that good is bad and that there is no sin. is to have developed faith in Jesus Christ so powerful that we can pass the test of life upon which everything for us in eternity depends. Eyring talked about those storms and the faith we need to endure them well: Our call is different but we, too, need great faith in the Savior because storms rage in our day as well. We do not have to travel 200 miles on horseback to find a doctor or try to feed a family when all the crops have been destroyed by a late frost. You and I do not have to survive brutal winters in a mud-roofed dugout or dig canals in the freezing rain and driving wind. There was strength in that faith, spiritual strength that fortified and blessed those men and women. That faith had been tried and tested on the plains of Nebraska and Wyoming and in the mountain valleys of Utah. At the very heart of their courage and devotion was faith in Jesus Christ, in His Church, and in His living prophet. Sister Clark spoke about the courageous pioneers who settled this valley and built this school. I pray that the Holy Ghost will be with us today. I am grateful to be with you on this historic day-another great day at BYU-Idaho.
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