Jul 21, 2024

The first principle in the gospel of Jesus Christ is faith—but how do we actually exercise it? The Book of Mormon prophet Alma the Younger related faith to a seed to help us understand the principle: 

Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me (Alma 32:28).

This scripture teaches us that it’s important to first plant the seed of faith and make room for belief—we cannot build without a foundation. But how do we do this? For me, I’ve spent time going to church, reading my scriptures, and praying to help me develop faith. These actions have given me opportunities to learn about Jesus Christ and put my trust in Him, and as I’ve done so, I’ve seen the impact that understanding and exercising faith can have in my life.

We learn more about the importance of exercising faith from Wilford Woodruff in an 1887 discourse: “I have a desire that the Latter-day Saints should try to live their religion, and endeavor to do what is right; that they should have faith in God, and in the revelations of God, and in the principles of which have been revealed to the Saints for the salvation of the human family.” Wilford Woodruff was a man of faith, and his counsel to exercise faith by living our religion and doing what is right can bring us unimaginable blessings and joy. As we take the time to intentionally develop our faith, God will pave a way for us to grow that faith and come closer to the Savior Jesus Christ.

Bekah Marriott is currently attending Brigham Young University and enjoying the cold contrast from her hometown in Mesa, Arizona. She has a passion for creativity and vision which she hopes to use as an interior designer one day. She spent eighteen months serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kansas and appreciates the opportunity to work with the Wilford Woodruff Papers team to continue her mission in bringing others closer to Jesus Christ.

The Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation’s mission is to digitally preserve and publish Wilford Woodruff’s eyewitness account of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and make his records universally accessible in order to inspire all people, especially the rising generation, to study and to increase their faith in Jesus Christ. For more information, please explore wilfordwoodruffpapers.org.