Hello and welcome. I have felt prompted to create this blog for a long time but didn’t know where to start. Then I read, once again, President Russell M. Nelson’s talk from the most recent general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about increasing our faith, and I felt inspired to work on this with even more focus. Would you like to join me? President Nelson’s talk was so powerful and inspiring to me! I wish I had been working on this challenge a little more in the past five months, but I will say that I have had amazing–even miraculous–experiences because of it. Here are some excerpts from his talk:
My dear brothers and sisters, my call to you…is to start today to increase your faith. Through your faith, Jesus Christ will increase your ability to move the mountains in your life, even though your personal challenges may loom as large as Mount Everest.
…Your mountains may be loneliness, doubt, illness, or other personal problems. Your mountains will vary, and yet the answer to each of your challenges is to increase your faith.
…Faith in Jesus Christ is the greatest power available to us in this life. All things are possible to them that believe. Your growing faith in Him will move mountains—not the mountains of rock that beautify the earth but the mountains of misery in your lives. Your flourishing faith will help you turn challenges into unparalleled growth and opportunity.
Russell M. Nelson, “Christ is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” April 2021, https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/49nelson?lang=eng
I love his call to us to increase our faith and the promises that go with it! Notice that he said it is through YOUR faith [and MY faith] that Jesus Christ will increase our ABILITY to move the mountains in our lives! This is another example of how President Nelson is teaching us how to increase in power, even if our faith is “small but growing.” He teaches us to start where we are, even if our faith is as small as the grain of a mustard seed.
Do you have personal challenges in your life that, at least sometimes, seem overwhelming or insurmountable? I know I do! I would love to share insights together as we focus on this call from President Nelson. Whether or not you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, if you feel a desire to increase your faith, please join us!
The way we each approach this call of increasing our faith may be a little different. Here is a summary of the suggestions given by President Nelson:
First, study. Become an engaged learner. Immerse yourself in the scriptures to understand better Christ’s mission and ministry. Know the doctrine of Christ so that you understand its power for your life. Internalize the truth that the Atonement of Jesus Christ applies to you.
Second, choose to believe in Jesus Christ. If you have doubts about God the Father and His Beloved Son or the validity of the Restoration or the veracity of Joseph Smith’s divine calling as a prophet, choose to believe and stay faithful. Take your questions to the Lord and to other faithful sources.
Third, act in faith. What would you do if you had more faith? Think about it. Write about it. Then receive more faith by doing something that requires more faith.
Fourth, partake of sacred ordinances worthily. Ordinances unlock the power of God for your life.
And fifth, ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for help.
Below are some specific things that have helped me increase my faith in Jesus Christ, as well as a few that I got from a recent talk in the Liahona (a magazine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints):
- Sincere, heartfelt prayer: Decide on a quiet time and place for prayer, morning and night. Talk to Heavenly Father like you would talk to a close friend or parent who understands you, listens to you, and wants to help you (because He does!). Pour out your soul openly and honestly and ask for help, comfort, and guidance.
- Listen: Take time to listen carefully during your prayers for ideas, thoughts and feelings that come to your mind and heart.
- Write it down: Get a journal or spiral notebook and write down your questions or concerns before prayer, and write down the ideas, thoughts, and feeling you receive during prayer.
- Increase awareness and gratitude: Record in a journal or notebook the daily blessings and tender mercies the Lord gives you. (Here is an excellent article about the blessings of doing this! https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2007/10/o-remember-remember?lang=eng)
- Scripture study: Find a regular time to study the scriptures, study a specific theme, or seek to receive answers to prayers through your study. (The principles above about prayer apply to scripture study too. You can write down a question, pray for guidance, study to seek answers, and write down the insights you receive.) Setting a goal to read the Book of Mormon daily brings incredible blessings to our lives! (Read President Nelson’s promise and his talk about this here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/the-book-of-mormon-what-would-your-life-be-like-without-it?lang=eng )
- Uplifting music: Find time to play and ponder hymns or other uplifting music during the day.
- Temple Attendance: Set a regular time to attend the temple and enjoy communion with the Spirit.
- Create quiet spaces to ponder: Set aside some time to unplug from music, the internet, social media, TV, etc. while walking/exercising, driving, or at other times during the day so you can “listen for Them, connect with the Spirit and recognize and ponder the intricate details of the world and [your] purpose.” The author of the article from the link below shares blessings she received from this.
- Study words of the prophet: Listen to and study talks by President Russell M. Nelson (or all the apostles), writing down counsel he has given and blessings he has promised, and prayerfully decide how to follow his counsel. Notice how this draws you closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
MY CHALLENGE FOR THE NEXT MONTH IS TO:
Decide a couple of things you will do to increase your faith in Jesus Christ.
Write down and pray specifically about the “mountains” in your own life that you would like to be “moved.”
I would love to hear about your goals and focus, as well as the blessings and miracles you are experiencing if you are comfortable sharing them, or simply how it is changing your life. Please share!!