“Increasing Our Faith in Jesus Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 2001, 53
While serving as a member of the Seventy, Elder Stephen D. Nadauld related the following experience: “A stake president and I took the opportunity to visit a young woman. … Her husband had been killed in a car accident; she was living in a modest apartment with her two young children. I suppose we expected to find her upset and discouraged. … On the contrary, she was cheerful; she was calm; she was very gracious. She thanked us for coming and then said, … ‘Brethren, I want you to know I believe in the plan of redemption. I am grateful to my Savior for the promise of a glorious resurrection with my husband. I am grateful for His redeeming sacrifice.’ Then, putting her arms around her two children, she said, ‘Our faith in Jesus Christ will see us through’” (“Faith and Good Works,” Ensign, May 1992, 82–83).
This sister’s humble declaration demonstrates how faith in the Savior can replace fear and doubt with hope and courage.
In today’s uncertain world, we may not know what tomorrow will bring, but faith in Jesus Christ can give us spiritual peace, even in the face of calamity and heartbreak. As President Ezra Taft Benson explained while serving as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Faith in [Jesus Christ] means believing that even though we do not understand all things, He does” (“Jesus Christ: Our Savior and Redeemer,” Ensign, Nov. 1983, 8).
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel (see A of F 1:4). By exercising faith we receive strength to face difficulties and overcome temptations. As we put our faith in Him, repent, and are obedient, He will forgive our sins and help us return to Him. “If ye will have faith in me,” He has promised, “ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me” (Moro. 7:33).
We study and practice to develop the skills we need in any earthly endeavor. So also do we develop faith. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” the Apostle Paul explains (Rom. 10:17). Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles observes that “simply hearing the words of doctrine can plant the seed of faith in the heart. And even a tiny seed of faith in Jesus Christ invites the Spirit” (“The Power of Teaching Doctrine,” Ensign, May 1999, 74).
Once the seed of faith has been planted in our hearts, it must be nourished. Our faith in Jesus Christ is nourished as we study, search, and ponder the scriptures; fast and pray; participate in sacred ordinances; keep our covenants; serve the Lord and others; sustain our Church leaders; and obey the commandments.
As our faith in Jesus Christ grows stronger, we learn to walk with faith in Him. “To have faith in Christ,” says Sister Sheri L. Dew, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, “is to believe in Him, follow Him, and rely on Him. And it is to be blessed with the peace of conscience and mind that the Apostle Paul spoke of when he said, ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me’” (Philip. 4:13) (“Our Only Chance,” Ensign, May 1999, 67).
FAQs
Our faith in Jesus Christ is nourished as we study, search, and ponder the scriptures; fast and pray; participate in sacred ordinances; keep our covenants; serve the Lord and others; sustain our Church leaders; and obey the commandments. As our faith in Jesus Christ grows stronger, we learn to walk with faith in Him.
What does it mean to ask Jesus to increase our faith? ›
Increasing our faith requires trusting the Lord with our whole souls. We cannot say, “We have done enough and deserve to rest.” Nor does the increase come through definitions, logic, or philosophy. Rather, we must: Do what is right and serve the Lord because we know, trust, and love Him with all of our souls.
How does the Bible say to increase your faith? ›
Become familiar with the Bible and what faith is all about by meditating on its contents. This will give you the basis for growing or increasing your faith. James 1:22-24 (NKJV) offers a second way to increase your faith: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
What is true faith How can we increase our faith in God? ›
You can only have true faith in God if you are able to persist in pursuing the truth through refinement, if you are able to truly love God and do not develop doubts about Him, if no matter what He does you still practice the truth to satisfy Him, and if you are able to seek in the depths for His will and be considerate ...
How to regain faith in Jesus? ›
“If I feel like I'm losing my faith, what can I do to regain it?”
- Go to the Scriptures. If I am having a hard time feeling the Spirit, it helps me to go to the scriptures and see the faith that everyone has. ...
- Nourish the Seed of Faith. ...
- Figure It Out Together. ...
- Ask Your Parents. ...
- Pray, Reach Out, and Read.
To have faith in Jesus Christ means to have such trust in Him that we obey whatever He commands. As we place our faith in Jesus Christ, becoming His obedient disciples, Heavenly Father will forgive our sins and prepare us to return to Him.
What did Jesus say about growing in faith? ›
Mark 11:22-23. “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.
Who said to Jesus increase our faith? ›
Luke 17:5 In-Context
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.
How did Jesus show faith? ›
When he performed miracles, it was partly out of compassion, and partly to confirm the faith of men who had already believed. There is one passage where he appears to say that his own power to perform miracles comes from his faith.
How does God want us to have faith? ›
Having faith is having trust. You have to trust with your entire being that God has your back that he will help you and take care of you. He knows what is best, but to truly embrace what he has planned for you, you have to fully trust. Our trust is not foolish, for our God is both faithful and good.
Here are seven practical ways to trust God in your everyday life:
- Seek Truth in Scripture.
- Confess Unbelief. Be honest. ...
- Share Your Concerns With Your Community.
- Remember God and Spend Time With Him. God is bigger than your circ*mstances. ...
- Look for Things to Be Grateful For.
- Walk in the Holy Spirit. ...
- Wait on the Lord.
Learning to Walk by Faith
- Listening to God. When we recognize God's voice, we'll have assurance about what to do and where to go.
- Obeying God. Obeying God shows we really trust Him, and each time we obey Him, our faith grows stronger.
- Depending on God. ...
- Waiting on God. ...
- Acknowledging and learning from our failures.
5 Ways to Deepen Your Relationship with God
- Get to know who God is—Read the Bible.
- Spend time with God—Pray.
- Live out your love for God—Obey.
- Live out God's love for others—Serve.
- Enjoy the gifts He's given us—Live with Gratitude.
It is given to us by God. The very faith necessary to believe God is also provided by the grace of God to all who will receive it. This faith came from the Word of God. Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes out of hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”Let's say you are wearing a gold ring.
How can I deepen my faith in God? ›
5 Ways to Deepen Your Relationship with God
- Get to know who God is—Read the Bible.
- Spend time with God—Pray.
- Live out your love for God—Obey.
- Live out God's love for others—Serve.
- Enjoy the gifts He's given us—Live with Gratitude.
2 Peter 1:5-8 New International Version (NIV)
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
How can I believe more in Christ? ›
Try praying that God will give you faith.
If you want to have faith in Jesus but you can't seem to manage it, try a prayer like, "Dear God, please help me have certainty that Jesus is Your Son so I can have the peace of knowing I'll spend eternity in heaven."
How to teach faith in Jesus Christ? ›
Keep your teaching simple and brief. Keep it focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ, building understanding of basic doctrine and principles. Help people seek the understanding that comes from the Holy Ghost. As they gain this understanding, they will come to believe the message of the gospel.
