Faith in Jesus Christ

We believe that the first principle of the Gospel is faith in Jesus Christ. In other words this is the very first step that each person must take in order to prepare to return to God. In Helaman 5: 12 it states "...remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation...which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

Why must we have faith in Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ was sent down to this earth to save mankind from physical death and spiritual death. He conquered both types of death through what we call the Atonement of Jesus Christ which included his suffering on the cross. Through Christ's Atonement, we can receive a forgiveness of our sins so that we can be clean and enter into God's presence. Christ's atonement can also empower us to overcome the struggles and trials that we face in our every day lives. Alma 7:11-12 "...he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy...that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

How do we develop faith in Jesus Christ? Faith in Jesus Christ comes in degrees. It is generally not something that is all or nothing. Some people have been blessed to easily accept Jesus Christ and to others it comes as a struggle. Alma 32: 26-30 gives us some insight on how to develop faith "Now, as I said concerning faith--that it is not a perfect knowledge...Ye cannot know of a surety at first...but behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiement upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work within you...Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold if it be a true seed...if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief...it will begin to swell within your breasts...for it beginneth to enlarge your soul, yea, it beginneth to enlighten your understanding..."

Eternal Families

One of the greatest joys man can experience here on this earth is family. We are all born into different circumstances, cultures, traditions, financial situations, and each have our strengths and weaknesses. However, I believe, that no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in there can be nothing more dear to each of our hearts, save our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, than our families. We know them better than most people. We have seen them at their weakest and at their strongest and through it all love them. We learn from them and whether we learn good habits and see good examples or see what we want to do differently when we "grow up," they are the people who influence our lives the most.

My life has been full of life changing experiences and my family has been their supporting me and loving me through them all. I have built bonds with my siblings that will never break and only get stronger with time. Today I have a family of my own; a wonderful loving husband who I couldn't live without, who makes me laugh when times are tough and makes me happier than I could ever imagine, and a beautiful little girl that brings joy to each of my days. Her smiles melt my heart.

I also know of my Father in Heaven and the great eternal heritage I have come from. What a blessing to know of His love and support. He knows me personally and will always be there to show me the way. He loves his job as Father of us all and proves it as we walk along side Him.

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we believe in eternal families. This means that we can be sealed to our earthly families for time and all eternity. What a beautiful blessing from a loving Heavenly Father. Because of this we can have that bond forever. We can be with our spouses, children, mothers, father, sisters, brother, etc forever. There have been times in my life when a member of my family has passed away. The funerals are sad and tears are shed for our loss and yet we have a spirit of knowing and hope; knowledge that we will one day see them again. This life is not the end for families and it is not the beginning. It is time of learning together, growing closer and loving.