Faith

   So lately, I've been reading and enjoying this book called, "The Blueprints of Christ's Church" by Tad R. Callister. There is one small section in the book that talks about Faith. Faith is one of those things I want to learn more about. I feel like it is one of those things that everyone thinks they know and thinks it's so basic. I think it deserves to be learned more about because it is our first principle of the gospel. "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." To me, that must be pretty important then. While I read, I highlighted a couple things that really stood out to me.

- "True faith always motivates its possessor to action."
   I think this helps us move forward. Having faith in the future and having faith in God that He keeps His promises and that all His words will be fulfilled. Faith is trusting in Him that He knows what's best for us. Faith that the atonement happened and works. Faith that God forgives and loves us. Faith keeps us going. With that motivation, we want to continue walking the straight and narrow path towards eternal life.

- "...faith usually comes step-by-step, and as each step is taken, doubt is diminished. We cannot develop faith without destroying doubt."
   We move forward with faith and as we do what the Lord asks we see blessings and we gain knowledge. This helps develop and strengthen our faith. We can't wake up and just have it. We work on it and it takes time to develop. On the flip side if we don't strengthen it, our faith will diminish and doubt will prevail.

- "..faith is a gift from God--it cannot be acquired solely by our efforts, however hard we try."
- "Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present, and the greater the measure of obedience to God's laws the greater will be the endowment of faith."- Bruce R. McConkie
   I'd never thought about faith as being a gift from God. Since it's a gift from God, we can ask God in prayer to help us increase it and develop it. In the book Callister specifically says,
"God has invited us to ask and pray for the gift of faith. To those who do so humbly and earnestly He has promised: "every one that asketh receiveth" (Matt. 7:8) "

So there is just some thoughts of mine.