FAITH – THE POWER OF GODS
– see Lectures on Faith
Most imp. principle in all eternity? First principle of Gospel? 2d most imp? First principle of religion?
Joseph Smith said all thingsin heaven and earth are the effect of faith – and nothing else – LoF
All creation the result of faith, obedience, charity, salvation. Solomon asked for wisdom; I for faith
Here in life for body, family, ordinances, and faith – the whole purpose of life. Everything is faith!
What is faith? Twain said, “Believing what you know ain’t so”. Faith not 1 principle, but 3
1) Believe in faith Joshua: it is a choice, based on evidence — E.g. farmer, B. Young
“Blind” faith vs. 5 senses, science, reason, intuition, word of others
2) Act in faith [exercise]: “Never give up; Never, never give up; Never, never, never!” –Churchill
Acting in faith is more important than believing in faith: “Help thou mine unbelief!”
When things get overwhelming and seem impossible, just keep pushing forward
“All you can do is all you can do, but all you can do is enough” – with faith
3) Receive power from God, as faith, to achieve. It is all power. Ammon, Stripling warriors, etc.
Spiritual: M Cowley: Except we believe as child, cannot receive miracles
Temporal: Andrew Carnegie claimed all success depends on tapping into a universal power
Test of how much faith you have: How much impossible have you accomplished?
Man phoned by boss, with long to-do list: “I can do that! I can do that! How’m I gonna do that?”
“When we obtain any blessing, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated”
We are responsible 1] to use and develop faith [talents], and 2] for how we use it [accountability]
All things in life provide the opportunity: Work, relationships, obedience, trials, etc.
Start wherever at
Develop a Plan of Faith for every goal: Visualize – Plan – Commit – Act — Find the Power
1. Salvation: Belief, Action, Power. Robinson’s bicycle: “My burden is easy”
Saved as fast as gain faith, and to the extent of faith – J.S. Your choice – Nibley
2. Temporal goals, e.g. Karli and Gerald’s purchase of a home, Norse, my list
3. Adversity: The refiner’s fire will come. Faith prepares us for challenges and difficult times
Popular book about the bad that happens to good people
Joseph Smith said cannot be exalted as Abraham unless sacrifice as he
Like Jesus on the cross, in our most difficult hour the Spirit may leave us
God has said if we are prepared we need not fear in the difficult times to come
Evaluate physical, spiritual, emotional, financial preparedness
Prepare in faith: Study and pray, listen to prophet, come to Zion, tithe, year’s supply
Contra: Why good happen to bad people, as Job said? Test of our faith; exercise of theirs
Several Keys to increasing faith
1] Seek God and his will, 2] Control thoughts, 3] Focus the power of your will [Chinese saying,
Sharecropper’s daughter, Japanese pilot], 4] Integration, 5] Synergy, 6] Seek God
Bottom Line: We’ve got to learn to trust Him! Do right [in faith], let the consequence follow
Cf. A. A. Serenity Prayer: “God, please grant me: Humility to endure what must be endured,
Faith to change what can be changed, Inspiration to discern the difference”
So what do you want in each area of your life? Temporal as well as spiritual?
Determine it’s right, willing to pay the price, develop a Plan of Faith, Go For It!
If you act in faith; the power will come – for sure if it is right
God wants you to succeed – it is his plan for your faith; salvation depends on it. Develop a plan for
each area of life, recognize it is good that there is too much to do – so much the more you can
accomplish! – GoForIt!