Faith: A Principle of Action and of Power!

We had zone conference this week which was awesome like always. Sister Richardson talked about consecration, you can't be like the savior if you're casual in your discipleship. Give your heart, and He will give you power. President talked about how the law of a fallen world is entropy. So we must have momentum-- positive slope-- because everything will naturally deteriorate if we aren't making progress. Putting off the natural man requires yielding up our stuff and our hearts. It was incredible. I'm so grateful to have such wise mission leaders who emulate their understanding. The next day, I gave a training on faith at district council. I've been studying the Lectures on Faith and am in awe of the depth of the gospel. Here's a quote:

Were this class to go back and reflect upon the history of their lives, from the period of their first recollection, and ask themselves, what principle excited them to action, or what gave them energy and activity, in all their lawful avocations, callings and pursuits, what would be the answer? Would it not be that it was the assurance which we had of the existence of things which we had not seen, as yet?— Was it not the hope which you had, in consequence of your belief in the existence of unseen things, which stimulated you to action and exertion, in order to obtain them? Are you not dependent on your faith, or belief, for the acquisition of all knowledge, wisdom and intelligence? Would you exert yourselves to obtain wisdom and intelligence, unless you did believe that you could obtain them? Would you have ever sown if you had not believed that you would reap? Would you have ever planted if you had not believed that you would gather? Would you have ever asked unless you had believed that you would receive? Would you have ever sought unless you had believed that you would have found? Or would you have ever knocked unless you had believed that it would have been opened unto you? In a word, is there any thing that you would have done, either physical or mental, if you had not previously believed? Are not all your exertions, of every kind, dependant on your faith? Or may we not ask, what have you, or what do you possess, which you have not obtained by reason of your faith? Your food, your raiment, your lodgings, are they not all by reason of your faith? Reflect, and ask yourselves, if these things are not so.

We are exercising faith all the time! Faith is the only way action comes about. If someone is lacking motivation, they are lacking faith. Having faith in God requires 3 things: First, The idea that He actually exists. Secondly, A correct idea of His character, perfections, and attributes. Thirdly, An actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing, is according to his will. 

Faith is a principle of action and of power! 

Ether 12:16:

Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after.

It is the principle by which the world was created. I love President Nelson's talk, "Christ is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains." He explains 5 things we can do to increase our faith.

First, study. Become an engaged learner. Immerse yourself in the scriptures to understand better Christ’s mission and ministry. Know the doctrine of Christ so that you understand its power for your life. . . .

Second, choose to believe in Jesus Christ. If you have doubts about God the Father and His Beloved Son or the validity of the Restoration or the veracity of Joseph Smith’s divine calling as a prophet, choose to believe and stay faithful. . . .

Third, act in faith. What would you do if you had more faith? Think about it. Write about it. Then receive more faith by doing something that requires more faith.

Fourth, partake of sacred ordinances worthily. Ordinances unlock the power of God for your life.

And fifth, ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for help.

We had a friend come to church! Small success but I'm grateful. Love you guys! 

-Elder Dahl