Faith- McKenna Weir

Building faith can be compared to the structure of a house. Shelter is one of our basic temporal needs. Similarly, faith is one of our basic temporal and spiritual needs. Joseph Smith wrote that the first principle of the gospel is "faith in the Lord Jesus Christ" (1). The foundation of a building is crucial. Without a firm foundation the structure will inevitably crumble. Our House of Faith must be set on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Helaman counsels his sons on this same subject. He says, "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (2) It is only through Christ that we can be assured of truth. As we are baptized and become converted the Atonement allows us to begin to build upon the foundation of Christ. With Christ as our foundation we have a perfect example to look to. We will not be lead astray if we follow His counsel.
A foundation alone will not protect us against the mighty winds Alma speaks of. Elder Rasband of the Quorum of the Seventy said, "Brothers and sisters, think of the special experiences you have been blessed with in your life that have given you conviction and joy in your heart. Remember when you first knew that Joseph Smith was God's prophet of the Restoration? Remember when you accepted Moroni's challenge and knew that the Book of Mormon was indeed another testament of Jesus Christ? Remember when you received an answer to fervent prayer and realized that your Heavenly Father knows and loves you personally? As you contemplate such special experiences, don't they give you a sense of gratitude and resolve to go forward with renewed faith and determination?" (3) We maintain our conversion by building upon that foundation with bricks of experience, knowledge and gratitude. These special experiences in our life that Elder Rasband speaks of add to our testimony. They also come about through faith.
As we exercise our faith, we build faith. This is a principle taught in James 1:5 which states, "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, which giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (4). This scripture counsels us that if we ask the Lord in faith for assurance of these and other truths we will receive our desire. The spirit of the Lord brings a sense of peace that cannot be duplicated. We feel this peace on our heart and mind as we seek truth which builds faith.
The bricks that build our House of Faith must be tested for their strength so they will endure and withstand the pressures put on them. If one block crumbles, the entire structure is weakened. Isaiah counsels us to use "a tried stone" (5). Often we learn the most about faith through trials. The Lord says in 1 Nephi 20:10, "I have refined thee , I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction". Affliction provides us with the opportunity to exercise our faith. Often it challenges us to use our faith at a new level. We learn more about our character and when we stretch out of the bounds we are accustomed to and we learn about Heavenly Father's individual plan for us. It takes faith for us to follow His plan, but He is a merciful God that has provided a way for us to grow in faith as we grow in understanding.
There are also support beams in our House of Faith. Romans 10:17 follows this idea. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (6). Our faith is strengthened by the faith of others- those nearby and those who have left a legacy of faith. That is the importance of gathering on Sunday for church. We can edify and encourage one another. The same pattern follows, as we share our faith, we build our faith. We are also edified as we read the accounts of faith in the scriptures.
All of these aspects of our House of Faith combine to make a structure that can remain steadfast and immovable through temptation, affliction and whatever challenge may come. Acts of faith make our House of Faith beautiful and it become a refuge and sanctuary that brings us great joy in this life and the next.

Nephi, one of the author's of the Book of Mormon, is a great example to me of a man who build a House of Faith that could not be shaken. When his family left Jerusalem to travel to the promised land he had the faith to follow the counsel of his father. They endured many trials on their journey in the wilderness, but as we have learned, his faith was made stronger in his trials. When he broke his bow hunting, he had the faith to act and seek the Lord's counsel on where to hunt instead of complain. He stood as an example to all his family and future generations of unshakable faith.
Like Nephi, having faith in Jesus Christ brings hope in my life. Because of my faith in Christ I know that I have a purpose here in this life and that I will someday be able to see my Savior again. Because of faith I know that my Savior loves me and wants me to succeed in my righteous pursuits. The knowledge that I have because of faith brings indescribable joy to my life. I want to continue to build my House of Faith and strengthen it so that it can last eternity and so I can help others feel the joy that I have in my life. I am grateful for my Savior and Heavenly Father who have assured me of my faith. I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sources:
(1) The Articles of Faith
(2) The Book of Mormon- Helaman 5:12
(3) Ronald A. Rasband, "Special Experiences", Ensign, May 2008, 11-12
(4) The New Testament- James 1:5
(5) The Old Testament- Isaiah 28:16
(6) The New Testament- Romans 10:17