Faith by Lauren Bush

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I often get asked the question, “How do you know your church is true? There is no way of knowing for sure.” I reply with a simple answer. “I know my church is true because of the way I feel when I learn about the gospel and abide by its teachings. That feeling is the Spirit, and I know it is true because I have faith.” So what is faith? Paul, an Apostle from the New Testament, taught that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (1).

Too many people in the world have the mindset that “seeing is believing”. They are not willing to believe in something that they cannot visibly see and touch. They want proof. My grandpa Bush was a pilot in the navy. On one occasion he was flying through severe weather trying to get back to his aircraft carrier to land. He could not see anything and became disoriented. He was tempted to fly a certain course but knew he had to fight that urge and have faith in his flight instruments. His faith paid off because he flew directly to his ship. Even though I do not see angels or have other heavenly manifestations, I have faith "the ship" is there and that I will land safely home. Besides, seeing does not always produce, or enhance, faith. Laman and Lemuel saw plenty and were seriously lacking. In Alma 32:17, it reads, “Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe” (2). However, Moroni taught 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” (3). We receive answers and blessings only after we exercise our faith.

There is a Primary children song that explains what faith is. The song says, “Faith is knowing the sun will rise, lighting each new day. Faith is knowing the Lord will hear my prayers each time I pray. Faith is like a little seed: If planted it will grow. Faith is a swelling within my heart. When I do right, I know” (4). We do not know for a fact that the sun will rise each morning. We just expect it to... we have faith that it will rise. The same goes with prayer. We cannot visibly see our Heavenly Father, but we know that He is there, listening to us and guiding us. I like how this song compares faith to a seed. We need to constantly be exercising our faith in order for it to increase. Just like a seed can grow into a great tree, our faith can grow into strong testimonies, and we can be so sure of something that we can, in fact, say that we know something is true. President Gordon B. Hinckley once stated, “When I discuss faith, I do not mean it in an abstract sense. I mean it as a living, vital force with recognition of God as our Father and Jesus Christ as our Savior. When we accept this basic premise, there will come an acceptance of their teachings and an obedience which will bring peace and joy in this life and exaltation in the life to come” (5).

It is important for us to exercise faith in all aspects of the Gospel. However, the primary focus of our faith should be revolved around the Savior. It is important to remember that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel. Demonstrating faith in the Savior will have its ultimate reward one day, but there are immediate rewards as well. When we see ever-increasing turmoil and unrest in the world, faith in Jesus allows a perfect brightness of hope. It is not false hope, nor is it wishful thinking, but rather an absolute faith that there is a wiser power that conquers all. Faith in Christ brings the ultimate comfort. "And whosoever shall believe in my name, doubting nothing, unto him will I confirm all my words, even unto the ends of the earth" (8). Furthermore, faith is what leads us to Christ, and Christ leads us to Heavenly Father. In the New Testament, it says (referring to Christ) that “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there in none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (6). Christ is our only way home, and we must therefore have faith that he can save us.

Nephi explains in the Book of Mormon that the Liahona showed them the way, but only if they had faith. I know that if we have faith in Christ, he will show us the way back to Heavenly Father. President James E. Faust once said, “The Lord can do remarkable miracles with a person of ordinary ability who is humble, faithful, and diligent in serving the Lord and seeks to improve himself. This is because God is the ultimate source of power” (7). I have personally witnessed miracles in my own life and in the lives of others through faith. Having recently graduated from High School I can say it is a miracle in itself that I survived! I kept my faith strong and tried to act in accordance with that faith every day. Looking back on those days, I realize the miracle has not been an immediate breath-taking moment, but rather a sweet realization of where that faith has brought me today. A small miracle for some, but a precious one for me. On a grander scale, it has been my privilege to know and love a family whose faith has brought about mighty miracles. Christian and Stephanie Nielson, a young married couple from Mesa Arizona with four small children, were in a horrific plane crash over a month ago. Their bodies were severly burned and both have been in critical condition. The combined faith of their family, along with thousands around the world, have brought about physical and spiritual miracles for their family. Christian has whispered that he feels the prayers and miracles taking place. Through faith we find safety, happiness, and eternal reward.

References:
1. Hebrews 11:1
2. Alma 32:17
3. Ether 12:6
4. Children’s Songbook, Pg. 96
5. “ ‘With All Thy Getting Get Understanding,’ ” Ensign, Aug. 1988, 5.
6. The Acts 3:12
7. President James E. Faust, Ensign, Nov. 1995, 47

8. Mormon 9:25