Each of us has experiences that built our testimony in the Father and in His Son. We will have many more to come as we live the gospel of Jesus Christ and remain faithful to the covenants we made. I would like to suggest four ways of increasing and strengthening our faith in Heavenly Father and in His Son.
Observing the Sabbath and partaking of the sacrament worthily
The Lord of the sabbath has commanded that we offer up our sacraments to the Most High and keep ourselves unspotted from the world.1 The Sabbath is the Lord’s day; He has sanctified it and set it apart for rest. The sacrament service should be a spiritual experience. The Savior introduced this ordinance during the Last Supper. On this sacred day, we prepare ourselves to partake of the sacrament and remember His atoning sacrifice. As we do this, we are promised that His spirit will be with us always. Having the spirit with us helps us to be more sensitive and obedient to His commandments. We are stronger than before in facing the world and carrying our cross. Observing the sabbath and partaking of the sacrament will sanctify us and help increase our faith in God.
Receiving personal revelation
In his first address to the members of the Church after becoming the Prophet of the Church, President Russell M. Nelson said, “One of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon my mind since my new calling as President of the Church is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will. The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children.” He further said, “Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.” 2 Learning to receive our own revelation is the key to peace and happiness. We will always know the things that we do are according to His will. That knowledge will bring us peace and strengthen our faith.
Ministering
Another way to strengthen our faith is to do what the Savior did while He was on this earth. Look at His life: He taught, He served, He blessed, He healed, and He glorified His father in heaven through His deeds. In responding to the lawyer’s question, He taught us two great commandments: to love God and love thy neighbor.3 Ministering helps us keep these two great commandments. We become the angels of God when we care for His children. As we see that we have become the answer to someone else’s prayer, our faith is strengthened and our resolve to serve our brothers and sisters increases. When we lose ourselves in the service of others, we find joy in our lives. As King Benjamin exclaimed, “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” 4
Home centered gospel instruction
A final way to increase our faith is to follow the recent revelation of home-centered gospel instruction. We are commanded to teach our children at home.5 Traditionally, we have always looked to the Church to take the lead in gospel instruction, but now we are asked to take that responsibility at home. There is no greater place than home to learn the gospel. My faith in Jesus Christ took root as I learned about Jesus Christ from my grandmother. I reflect upon those times often and thank my God for putting me in a setting where I was able to learn about Him. Our families and children will find joy and increase their faith if the gospel is taught in homes and supported by the Church.
As we keep the sabbath day holy and reverently partake the sacrament, we learn the will of the Lord and align our will with His, serve our fellow brothers and sisters, and continue to teach the gospel in our home, our faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will be strengthened. We will have abundant joy in our lives.
I testify that God is our Father. I know that His son Jesus Christ is our Savior and our Redeemer. True happiness come from knowing God. This is His Church and Jesus Christ is the head of it. President Russell M. Nelson is the mouthpiece of God on earth today. I declare this witness in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.