“I know that as we respond to President Nelson’s inspired invitations to: Study, Choose to believe in Jesus Christ, Act in faith, Partake of sacred ordinances worthily, and Ask our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ for help. That our faith will flourish and give us the power through the Lord Jesus Christ to move the mountains in our lives.”
Several years ago, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counselled together for some months about the question – How can we help members of the church increase their faith in Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ?
In Ether 12:5, Moroni pauses his transcription of the record of the Jaredites and provides some powerful commentary, “Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe, because they saw them not.”
In the following verses in Ether, Moroni recounts many examples of the power of faith:
- 12:7 It was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers
- 12:11 By faith was the law of Moses given
- 12:12 If there is no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them
- 12:13 It was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth
- 12:15 It was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites
As we consider these examples, we begin to understand why the question of increasing faith was so important to our living prophets and apostles. The revelation they received as they counselled together was that increased faithful observance of the Sabbath Day would do more to increase faith in Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ than any other thing.
In his April 2015 talk, “The Sabbath is a Delight,” Elder Russell M. Nelson taught, “Faith in God engenders a love for the Sabbath; faith in the Sabbath engenders a love for God. A sacred Sabbath truly is a delight.”
During his April 2021 General conference address, “Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” President Nelson extended to all of us additional prophetic invitations to increase our faith.
“Faith in God engenders a love for the Sabbath; faith in the Sabbath engenders a love for God. A sacred Sabbath truly is a delight.”
Elder Russell M. Nelson
“Faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of all belief and the conduit of divine power.
Everything good in life—every potential blessing of eternal significance—begins with faith. Allowing God to prevail in our lives begins with faith that He is willing to guide us. True repentance begins with faith that Jesus Christ has the power to cleanse, heal, and strengthen us.”
He also gave us 5 powerful invitations to help us develop faith and trust.
“First, study. Become an engaged learner. Immerse yourself in the scriptures to understand better Christ’s mission and ministry…
…He took upon Himself your misery, your mistakes, your weakness, and your sins. He paid the compensatory price and provided the power for you to move every mountain you will ever face… Moving your mountains may require a miracle. Learn about miracles. Miracles come according to your faith in the Lord. Central to that faith is trusting His will and timetable—how and when He will bless you with the miraculous help you desire. Only your unbelief will keep God from blessing you with miracles to move the mountains in your life…The Savior is never closer to you than when you are facing or climbing a mountain with faith.” [See Mormon 9:19-21]
“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 [See 2nd Nephi 33:10-11]and stay faithful. Take your questions to the Lord and to other faithful sources. Study with the desire to believe rather than with the hope that you can find a flaw in the fabric of a prophet’s life or a discrepancy in the scriptures. Stop increasing your doubts by rehearsing them with other doubters. Allow the Lord to lead you on your journey of spiritual discovery.”
“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. [See D&C 84:20]”
“And fifth, ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for help. Faith takes work. Receiving revelation takes work. But “every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. [See Matt 7:8]” God knows what will help your faith grow. Ask, and then ask again.”
President Nelson also counselled, “Do not minimize the faith you already have. It takes faith to join the Church and remain faithful. It takes faith to follow prophets rather than pundits and popular opinion. It takes faith to serve a mission during a pandemic. It takes faith to live a chaste life when the world shouts that God’s law of chastity is now outmoded. It takes faith to teach the gospel to children in a secular world. It takes faith to plead for the life of a loved one and even more faith to accept a disappointing answer.”
He then shared two powerful promises. “Your growing faith in Him will move mountains—not the mountains of rock that beautify the earth but the mountains of misery in your lives. Your flourishing faith will help you turn challenges into unparalleled growth and opportunity.”
I express gratitude and love for a true prophet of God who continues to teach and invite us. I know that as we respond to President Nelson’s inspired invitations to: Study, Choose to believe in Jesus Christ, Act in faith, Partake of sacred ordinances worthily, and Ask our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ for help. That our faith will flourish and give us the power through the Lord Jesus Christ to move the mountains in our lives.