The Importance and Purpose of Faith

Past President's Messages

In the Book of Mormon, Alma, the Chief Judge, is described as “a man of God, being exercised with much faith”, who sought only to “be an instrument in [God’s] hands to save and preserve [his] people.”

If someone were narrating our life events, how would they describe us and our actions, especially in pivotal moments?

Would they describe us as women and men, “of God, being exercised with much faith”?

I think they might…

This week I read the transcript and listened to the audio of Elder David A. Bednar’s recent speech to the National Press Club in Washington, DC. As I read, I thought about your individual and collective efforts over the years, to overcome the hardships and complexities of life and faithfully make this community a better place for everyone.

I thought about the countless missionaries from Taylorsville, who over the years, have served and blessed the lives of others in distant parts of the world at their own expense.

I thought about a massive shipping container overflowing with needed supplies that originated in Taylorsville and will soon arrive in Tonga to bless neighbors that none of us have ever met.

I thought about this Saturday’s Household Goods Exchange in which members of our community will freely give and receive food, clothing, and furniture items as an expression of pure sisterly and brotherly love with no conditions, no caveats, no restrictions.

And I thought about a beautiful temple being erected nearby as a manifestation of faith and testament of our love for the Savior.

In his speech, Elder Bednar highlighted actions by church members all over the world similar to those that occur in our community every day and asked his audience of national reporters rhetorically…

“Why do the members of [our] Church do all these things?”

He answered his own question this way…

“Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, is far more than passive belief or assent. Faith in the Savior is a principle of action and of power. Faith is evident in our priorities and how we live.”

“As we learn and live according to the teachings of Jesus, we are blessed with capacity, power, and strength beyond our own. Our hearts are changed, we change from the inside out and we become new creatures in Christ.”

“To be clear, we do not believe our works save us — far from it. Only the grace of Jesus Christ can enable us to overcome the many negative influences of the world in which we live. But our faith does actuate the spiritual responsibility to work, bless and serve. We do not seek blessings only for ourselves. Rather, the blessings we receive enable us to serve other people more efficaciously.”

As we evaluate our own faith and strive for strength in the face of rising opposition, may we remember these concluding words from Elder Bednar,

“We are the Church of Jesus Christ, reestablished or restored upon the earth in the latter days in preparation for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. We do all of these things because as His disciples we love Him and want to follow His example in our lives.”

“The basic purpose of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to help people learn about the nature and attributes of God, to love God, to become disciples of His Son Jesus Christ, and to love and serve our brothers and sisters. We believe God can change our hearts and make more of us from the inside out than we can ever make of ourselves. And we also believe that change many times is required from the outside in.”

“We strive to do both.”

I pray we may all “strive to do both” and choose to be ”exercised with much faith” as we continue steadily forward in our daily discipleship…

I love you.

President Gardner