Faith Is Not by Chance, but by Choice

Good Morning, or Good Afternoon, or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately four to six minutes to read from start to finish. 

This post focuses on a October 2015 General Conference talk and it is called, "Faith Is Not by Chance, but by Choice" by Elder Neil L. Anderson. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk and I hope you will learn something new. 

Elder Anderson mentioned the following; "The Savior perceived the strength or weakness in the faith of those around Him. ... He questioned others, “Where is your faith?” ... I ask myself, “How does the Savior see my faith?” And tonight I ask you, “How does the Savior see your faith?”

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is not something ethereal, floating loosely in the air. Faith does not fall upon us by chance or stay with us by birthright. It is, as the scriptures say, “substance …, the evidence of things not seen.”... Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on to it. Your faith is either growing stronger or becoming weaker. ... The future of your faith is not by chance, but by choice.

... There are many Christian men and women with deep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we honor and respect them.

No Longer on Neutral Ground

But brethren, we have been given something more: the priesthood of God, the power of God restored to earth by holy angels. This makes you different. You no longer stand on neutral ground. Your faith will grow not by chance, but by choice.

How we live our lives increases or diminishes our faith. Prayer, obedience, honesty, purity of thought and deed, and unselfishness increase faith. Without these, faith diminishes. ... Because there is an adversary who delights in destroying our faith! Be relentless in protecting your faith.

Honest Questions

Addressing honest questions is an important part of building faith, and we use both our intellect and our feelings. The Lord said, “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart.” Not all answers will come immediately, but most questions can be resolved through sincere study and seeking answers from God. Using our mind without our heart will not bring spiritual answers. ...

Faith never demands an answer to every question but seeks the assurance and courage to move forward, sometimes acknowledging, “I don’t know everything, but I do know enough to continue on the path of discipleship.”

Immersing oneself in persistent doubt, fueled by answers from the faithless and the unfaithful, weakens one’s faith in Jesus Christ and the Restoration. ...

For example, questions concerning the Prophet Joseph Smith are not new. They have been hurled by his critics since this work began. ... Consider the totality of Joseph’s life - born in poverty and given little formal education, he translated the Book of Mormon in less than 90 days. Tens of thousands of honest, devoted men and women embraced the cause of the Restoration. At age 38, Joseph sealed his witness with his blood. I testify that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Settle this in your mind, and move forward!

"Faith is the antidote for fear." - Russell M. Nelson.

Gifts That Enlarge Our Faith

Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon give us the beautiful assurance that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. ... Some or all of the Book of Mormon is now in 110 languages across the world. It provides a spiritual and tangible witness of the truthfulness of the Restoration. When was the last time that you read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover? Read it again. It will increase your faith.

Another gift from God that enlarges our faith is the guidance of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. ... The guidance of the First Presidency and the Twelve help protect our faith.

Fires

Although your beginning fire of faith may be small, righteous choices bring greater confidence in God, and your faith grows. ... But as you continue to make good choices, trust in God, and follow His Son, the Lord sends increased light and knowledge, and your faith becomes settled and unwavering. President Thomas S. Monson said: “Fear not. … The future is as bright as your faith.”

My dear friends, your faith did not begin at birth, and it will not end at death. Faith is a choice. Strengthen your faith, and live to be deserving of the Savior’s approving words: “Great is thy faith.” ...

I would like to encourage you to read the whole talk in your own time. Here's the link below.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/10/faith-is-not-by-chance-but-by-choice

Stay Tuned until next time.