Good afternoon, a couple days ago I was asked to speak on my favorite sacrament talk. I chose Quentin L.

Cooks, entitled In Tune with the Music of Faith. He begins by saying:

The great introductory vision in the Book of Mormon is Lehis prophetic dream of the tree of life.3 This vision starkly describes the challenges to faith that exist in our day and the great divide between those who love, worship, and feel accountable to God and those who do not. Lehi explains some of the conduct that destroys faith. Some are proud, vain, and foolish. They are interested only in the so-called wisdom of the world.4 Others have some interest in God but are lost in worldly mists of darkness and sin.5 Some have tasted of the love of God and His word but feel ashamed because of those mocking them and fall away into forbidden paths.6

Finally, there are those who are in tune with the music of faith. But what is faith, and how do you get it?
The Apostle Paul taught that "faith is the substance [assurance] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Alma made a similar statement: "If ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true" (Alma 32:21). Faith is a principle of action and power. Whenever we work toward a worthy goal, we exercise faith. We show our hope for something that we cannot yet see. Faith is much more than passive belief. We express our faith through actionby the way we live. The Savior promised, "If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me" (Moroni 7:33). Faith in Jesus Christ can motivate us to follow His perfect example (see John 14:12). Our faith can lead us to do good works, obey the commandments, and repent of our sins (see James 2:18; 1 Nephi 3:7; Alma 34:17). Our faith can help us overcome temptation. Alma counseled his son Helaman, "Teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ" The Lord will work mighty miracles in our life according to our faith

2 Nephi 26:13 Reads: 13 And that he amanifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the bHoly Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty cmiracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their dfaith.
Faith in Jesus Christ helps us receive spiritual and physical healing through His Atonement (see 3 Nephi 9:1314). When times of trial come, faith can give us strength to press forward and face our hardships with courage. Even when the future seems uncertain, our faith in the Savior can give us peace (see Romans 5:1; Helaman 5:47).

How do we gain faith? How do we gain evidence of our Savior, whom we have not seen? The scriptures teach us: From the beginning of time, prophets have known that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, of His mortal mission, and of His Atonement for all mankind. Sacred records give the prophecies of thousands of years, not only of the first coming of our Savior but also of the Second Cominga glorious day that will most assuredly come. __________________________________________________________________________ If we had lived in the days of these prophets of old, would we have believed on their words? Would we have had faith in the coming of our Savior? In ancient America, Samuel the Lamanite prophesied that on the night of the Saviors birth there [would] be great lights in heaven, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day. 4 Many believed Samuel and went to find Nephi, confessed their sins, repented, and were baptized. And angels did appear unto [them], and did declare unto them glad tidings of great joy. 5 But for the most part, the Nephites harden[ed] their hearts 6 and became blind to the signs and wonders of the times. These signs were given so that [the people] might know that the Christ must shortly come. 7 But instead of heeding them, the Nephites depend[ed] upon their own wisdom, saying: Some things [the believers] may have guessed right, [but] it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come. 8 In those days as in ours, some naysayers, called anti-Christs, convinced others that there was no need for a Savior and His Atonement. When Samuels prophecy was finally fulfilled and there was a day and a night and a day, as if it were one day, 9 what joy must have filled the hearts of those who had believed in the prophets! It had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets. And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word. 10 Those who believed on the words of the prophets recognized the Savior throughout His life and ministry and were blessed to follow Him. But sometimes the faith of even the most devoted followers was tested. After the Crucifixion Thomas heard his brethren testify that the Savior had risen from the tomb. But instead of believing their words, Thomas declared, Except I shall see , I will not believe. 11 Later this beloved Apostle was given the opportunity to touch the prints of the nails in the Saviors hands and confessed, My Lord and my God. 12 The Savior then lovingly taught him as He has taught all of us what it means to have faith: Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 13

Believers on the American continent faced similar tests of faith. As Samuel had prophesied, there were great thunderings and lightnings, 14 and darkness covered the whole earth for the space of three days. 15 But those who had received the prophets and stoned them not 16 did not fear or flee. They recognized this was the sign [that] had been given concerning [the Saviors] death 17 and gathered to the temple, marveling together _______________________________________________________________________________________ Faith is a gift from God, but we must nurture our faith to keep it strong. Faith is like a muscle. If exercised, it grows strong. If left immobile, it becomes weak. We can nurture the gift of faith by praying to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. As we express our gratitude to our Father and as we plead with Him for blessings that we and others need, we will draw near to Him. We will draw near to the Savior, whose Atonement makes it possible for us to plead for mercy (see Alma 33:11). We will also be receptive to the quiet guidance of the Holy Ghost. We can strengthen our faith by keeping the commandments. Like all blessings from God, faith is obtained and increased through individual obedience and righteous action. If we desire to enrich our faith to the highest possible degree, we must keep the covenants we have made. We can also develop faith by studying the scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets. The prophet Alma taught that the word of God helps strengthen faith. Comparing the word to a seed, he said that the "desire to believe" can lead us to "give place" for the word to be "planted in [our] heart[s]." Then we will feel that the word is good, for it will begin to enlarge our souls and enlighten our understanding. This will strengthen our faith. As we continually nurture the word in our hearts, "with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life." I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.