Faith is a spiritual gift from God that comes through the Holy Ghost. It requires a correct understanding and knowledge of Jesus Christ, His divine attributes and perfect character, His teachings, Atonement, Resurrection, and priesthood power. Obedience to these principles develops complete trust in Him and His ordained servants and assurance of His promised blessings.

There is no other thing in which we can have absolute assurance. There is no other foundation in life that can bring the same peace, joy, and hope. In uncertain and difficult times, faith is truly a spiritual gift worthy of our utmost efforts. We can give our children education, lessons, athletics, the arts, and material possessions, but if we do not give them faith in Christ, we have given little.

Do your children know that you know? Do they see and feel your conviction?

When we teach our children by example or precept to be casual or situational in obeying God’s commandments, we prevent them from receiving this vital spiritual gift.

Desire, hope, and belief are forms of faith, but faith as a principle of power comes from a consistent pattern of obedient behavior and attitudes.

There is a quality of faith which develops as we focus all of our heart, might, mind, and strength. . . It is the “eye of faith” spoken of by the prophet Alma – the ability to focus and be steadfast, continually holding fast to true principles, nothing wavering, even when the mist of darkness confronting us is exceedingly great. This quality of faith is exceedingly powerful.

Consider it this way: our net usable faith is what we have left to exercise after we subtract our sources of doubt and disbelief. You might ask yourself this question: “Is my own net faith positive or negative?” If your faith exceeds your doubt and disbelief, the answer is likely positive. If you allow doubt and disbelief to control you, the answer might be negative.

Six Destructive D’s

• Doubt
• not a principle of the gospel
• leads to
• Discouragement
• comes from missed expectations. Chronic discouragement leads to lower expectations
• leads to
• Distraction
• destroys the focus required for the eye of faith
• leads to
• lack of Dilligence
• ultimately leads to
• Disobedience
• undermines the basis of faith
• often results in
• Disbelief

Choose to live by faith and not fear.