Colby's Hope

I’ve really enjoyed studying more about faith this semester and sharing my insights with you. I wish we had more time to study and learn together, maybe we’ll have to start a study group! I wanted to share a few final thoughts regarding faith and our journeys of faith.

President Nelson promised, “With faith in Jesus Christ, you can move the mountains in your life”. I know this is true. I’ve accomplished things with Him that I never could have done alone and I know He is with each of us through every step of our lives. I invite you to think of one way you can press forward with faith in Christ. I know as you do you will see your faith strengthened, feel His love for you, and His strength to accomplish anything. I love Him and I’m so grateful for the opportunity I have to deepen my relationship with Him every day.

I had a conversation with my brother last week about faith in Christ. He is also studying faith for his Book of Mormon class and he shared some great insights that I hadn’t thought about before. He told me a definition of faith that expanded the purpose of faith for me. “The word faith, as it appears in the King James Version of the New Testament, is a translation of the Greek word pistis, which is best understood in terms of the ancient world’s patron-client relationship—as is grace.” Alternate definitions of Pistis are also “loyalty” or “faithfulness”, indicating a relationship. I’ve studied about grace a lot in the past couple of years, and I love the connection to a relationship.

My mom has always encouraged my brothers and me to think and speak positively, about ourselves and others. I would consider myself a pretty happy and positive person, but sometimes the first thoughts that come into my head are not the kindest, especially to myself. I can think of the worst possible outcome of a given situation, and have a hard time thinking positively about it, as I think most of us do at times.

 In my scripture study, I recently came across the phrase “faith unto repentance”. This phrase is used in Alma chapter 34 when Amulek is teaching about faith and repentance. He invites the people to “exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;”. I have read this verse many times before, but I didn’t take the time to ponder it and understand what it means.

 There may be times in our lives when we experience trials or crises of faith. This is a normal experience. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has commented “Real faith — life-changing faith, Abrahamic faith — is always in crisis. That’s how you find out if it’s faith at all." I love this perspective that we will all have challenges to our faith, but that is how it grows.

The scriptures, especially the New Testament and the Book of Mormon teach that faith is rewarded with numerous blessings, both seen and unseen. The most powerful and memorable blessings of faith are the cases where big things happen, but that doesn't make the smaller blessings any less miraculous. I'd like to share a few of my favorite miracles that came because of faith in the Book of Mormon. I'd love to hear your favorite stories of faith in the Book of Mormon or other scriptures in the comments as well!

Always have hope,

Colby

Now that we have learned what faith is and why it's important, let's talk about how we can grow our faith in Christ. I’d like to highlight a few ways that have helped me increase my faith and I’d love to hear your ideas too!