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This talk was usually delivered in Sacrament meetings with the missionaries at the Missionary Training Center:

• Faith in Jesus Christ
  • WHAT?
    • From PMG – the gospel begins with faith in Jesus Christ
    • Faith is a firm belief in Jesus as Son of God, Savior, Redeemer
    • Faith leads to action, change, service, tangible results
  • WHY?
    • 2 Nephi 25 – there is no other name given under heaven whereby…
    • This is not a generic acceptance, but focused discipleship
  • HOW? Study his life and develop a love of His glory and majesty
    • Woman with an issue of blood in the Jairus story
      • So aware
      • He would not move on until He blessed yet another life
      • Will He be aware of us touching the hem of His robe?
      • Will He stop, seek us out, bless our faith?
      • What about Jairus? Fear not, only believe!  Picture His face.
      • Natural, instinctive, EASY to have faith in our sweet Savior
    • Walking on water
      • Imagine the apostles! In the history of this earth, ever before??
      • Why did He walk on the water? Why not hire or borrow a boat?
        • You have no idea what lies ahead
        • Gave them a chance to exercise faith. Did He anticipate?
      • Should He have told Peter to stay in the boat? Dangerous out here!
      • Are you willing to step out of the boat to serve a mission? Like Peter?
      • Can you see His hand reaching out to you? Can’t do this alone, BUT –
    • Widow of Nain
      • Busy day in Capernaum, and the next morning He is in Nain, 30+ miles uphill
      • Coincidental? Happenstance? He sensed a need!
      • He arrived just as the funeral procession was moving to the cemetery.
      • Can you have faith in this Savior who is so attuned to needs?
      • Can you feel His hand on your shoulder, hear His voice saying ‘Fear not’.
      • No other events are mentioned in Nain. He went for her and him!
    • RESULTS? An example from the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith
      • Up late helping with a sick baby, drug from the home by angry mob
      • Drink acid, hot tar in his mouth, broken tooth
      • Stripped of his clothes and covered in melted tar. How hot must it have been!
      • Family and compassionate friends worked all night to remove the tar.
      • How would your mouth feel?
      • Next day was Sunday, Joseph was scheduled to be the concluding speaker
      • What might we have done if we were in his place?
      • Spoke for over an hour
        • In the congregation were some of the men who tarred him!
        • Including Simonds Ryder, a former member and former friend.
        • Joseph didn’t point a finger, castigate, denounce, rebuke.
        • How could he do this? Faith in Jesus!  Remembrance of what Jesus endured!
      • Final scriptures
        • Hebrews 11:1 – faith is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things not seen
        • Philippians 4 – I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me. How many?
        • Matthew 11 – Come unto me, all ye..labor..heavy laden..rest. Take my yoke, learn, meek, rest.  Yoke is easy, burden is light.
        • He leads, He lifts, He loves, and most assuredly, HE LIVES!