Choosing faith

In the middle of the night many years ago, my brother, an infant, suffered a very high fever with a seizure. My mom and dad rushed him to the hospital. My dad waited in a hospital hallway wondering where he would buy a tiny casket. A new thought came to my dad: “You are not showing faith.” My dad immediately changed his thoughts to hoping and believing that his son would live, and so he did. In fact this son, my older brother, has taken care of our wonderful mother for many years.

Our friend in Wasilla has an adult daughter who has fought advanced stages of cancer for several years. He tells us he is praying for a miracle. He believes in Jesus Christ, and has faith that miracles can happen. And miraculously, his daughter has outlived the doctors’ predictions and takes care of her children today. It has been a hard journey, and with cancer the fight is never fully over, but the family is thankful for the blessing of her extended life.

“Faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of all belief and the conduit of divine power,” teaches Russell M. Nelson, prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Faith in Jesus Christ is the greatest power available to us in this life.” The Apostle Paul teaches that faith is fundamental: “Without faith it is impossible to please [God]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Paul makes it clear that faith is the power by which all the ancient prophets accessed Godly power. By faith Noah followed the commandment to build an ark and save his family. By faith Abraham left his home to find the land of his inheritance. By faith Sara received the strength to conceive seed, and “from this one—and him as good as dead—sprang so many, as the stars of the sky in multitude, as the sand of the sea is innumerable” (Hebrews 11:12). By faith Moses was hidden by his mother, refused to be called the son of Pharoah’s daughter, forsook Egypt, kept the Passover, and traveled across the Red Sea. It was by faith that the walls of Jericho fell down. Many Old Testament prophets, through faith, “subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, and stopped the mouths of lions.” (Hebrews 11:7-33). It seems surprising that the marvelous miracles of the past were brought about by something as basic as faith. Yet, here we are, able to access God’s power through the same faith as the ancient prophets.

Though powerful, faith cannot be seen. The results of faith cannot always be counted, and some blessings that result from faith won’t be gained until the next life. Faith is the “assurance” of the things we hope for that are good, and the “evidence” of things we have not yet seen that are true (Hebrews 11:1).

Miracles don’t create faith, rather, miracles follow faith. “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” (Matt 17:20). Miracles can be as big as a miraculous healing, or as small as clear direction in response to prayer. When you feel hopeless because you see no path forward, praying for help and believing that God can open a door for you can be an act of great faith.

How do we increase faith? Faith begins with a desire to believe in God. This is a particle of faith. Acting on that desire increases your faith. We can act on it by praying, asking for help, learning more about God and his plan for us, and following God’s commandments (see Alma 32:27-31).

Our faith can grow from a particle, or seed, to a fully-rooted tree. This is the kind of faith that anchors us and extends healing, hope and sanctuary to family and friends, teaches President Nelson.

Our faith can be tried as we wait. That’s why hope is an important component of faith.

Faith coupled with hope creates “an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works” (Ether 12:4). This anchor can keep us steady during every storm in our lives. Faith doesn’t mean we can avoid life’s challenges, but it does mean that God can guide us through those challenges.

As a young father, my dad learned how to choose faith. As time went by, he chose to show faith at every opportunity. By the time I was a teenager, my father’s anchored faith healed and protected me. His faith blessed our family and friends. Today, his faith is one of his great legacies.

“Start today to increase your faith,” teaches President Nelson. “Through your faith, Jesus Christ will increase your ability to move the mountains in your life, even though your personal challenges may loom as large as Mount Everest.” This sure anchor of faith can be ours--if we are willing to work for it.

Beth Wright and her husband Kerry are up to their elbows in garden soil. They love hiking, fishing and family this time of year. They find great joy in being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.