Faith

Today, I wish to talk about something that is dear to my heart and something that has changed my life forever. That subject is faith.

       Now before we begin talking about faith I wanted to share something. Now my life has been a great experience and although there have been some rough spots here and there, I still feel that life itself is what I am most grateful for! And although it has been rough and I have had cancer and a variety of other tribulations. I still don't consider myself the worst of the bunch since I know that some of you out there probably have it much worse than I do; Now back to faith. So you’re probably thinking "what's his point?" Well to answer that question I will now bring up faith.

       Faith, one of the many things that I know only so much about is amazing to me. Faith is a power greater than all of us can imagine. Each man, woman and child is given faith and with that faith we can do amazing things that can help us come closer to God and to Jesus Christ. 

       So what is faith? Well Alma, an ancient prophet from the Book of Mormon said of faith: "And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." (Alma 32:21)

       So Faith is a "hope for things which are not seen, which are true." So with that in mind I go back to my life. So amidst my trials there was one thing that I did when I had cancer and that was having faith. Now what did I hope for that was unseen in my eyes? That I would be cancer free and free from the pain that it brought. Now it was simple but some things can be simple, but the point is, Faith is there for us and when we have faith that God will help us or maybe have faith that things will get better. God will do His part to help you according to His will. 

       So you see? Without faith we really can't do anything and without God's help we wouldn't be able to progress and grow in life. But that's not all; there is another part of the Formula that allows us to progress. When we came here to earth (or through birth), and I assume you the reader came to earth or were born, Gain two valuable and priceless gifts. One: the Body and two: the ability to choose for yourself or Agency. Now, it may seem a little weird to think that our thoughts and choices are a gift but think of it this way:

God gave us gifts before we were born, he blessed us with the power of Agency or to choose good from evil and when we came to earth we were given a Body that we might use it to choose either good or evil.

       Now, we have talked about faith and faith is really important and with our ability to choose, we can find out for ourselves what is right or wrong. Now back to what I was saying in the fifth paragraph. So it is said that there is a conflict or debate on whether we are saved by faith only or by faith and works. Well I am here not to tell you what is right or wrong and if I do go one way or the other I apologize ahead of time. And for the next few Blog posts that I will Post I will talk about faith and other principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and how they apply to the LDS faith and how we use them.   

       I want to invite you to talk with the missionaries about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ask them the questions you have about these principles. I can testify that they can help you and will help answer questions that need attention and rightfully so.

       You are the priority of the missionaries; they want to hear from you and want to answer the questions you have. No they aren't going to try to convert you or force you to convert; but they will help you better understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I promise it and I promise that your life will change for good. If you are willing to learn and practice these same principles I know you can find Peace and Joy in your life; and yeah it may be hard but with faith and with doing your part God will lead you to light, and happiness, I know it!           

-Elder Sheets