Lesson 9 Class Preparation Material

Faith in Jesus Christ

Have you ever felt a strong desire to improve and change so that you could become more like the Savior? Brother Brian K. Ashton, former Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, taught, “It is the doctrine of Christ that allows us to access the spiritual power that will lift us from our current spiritual state to a state where we can become perfected like the Savior” (“The Doctrine of Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 106). The doctrine of Christ refers to having faith in Him and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end (see 2 Nephi 31:2, 10–21; 3 Nephi 27:13–22). As you study the doctrine of Jesus Christ, beginning with faith in Him, think about ways you would like to change and the person you would like to become.

Section 1

What can I do to strengthen my faith in Jesus Christ?

The following summary explains what it means to have faith in Jesus Christ:

Having faith in Jesus Christ means relying completely on Him—trusting in His infinite power, intelligence, and love. It includes believing His teachings. It means believing that even though we do not understand all things, He does. … He is always ready to help us as we remember His plea: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36). (“Faith in Jesus Christ,” Gospel Topics, topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Bishop Richard C. Edgley, former counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, said that “faith is a choice, and it must be sought after and developed” (“Faith—the Choice Is Yours,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 32).

The prophet Alma taught powerfully about the principle of faith. Alma worried about the Zoramites, who had stopped believing in Jesus Christ and fallen away from His Church. As Alma and his missionary companions went to preach among them, he found that some of the Zoramites had been humbled because of their poverty and were receptive to his message. He wanted them to understand how the Savior could change their lives. (See Alma 31–32.)

While teaching the Zoramites, Alma compared the word of God to a seed and explained that it will grow when we plant it in our hearts and carefully nourish it through the exercise of faith (see Alma 32:26–33).

Study in Preparation for Class

As you read Alma 32:21, 27–30, consider marking words or phrases that teach how we can increase in faith.

Commenting on Alma’s metaphor of a seed representing the word of God, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, taught:

Too often we approach the gospel like a farmer who places a seed in the ground in the morning and expects corn on the cob by the afternoon. …

Knowing that the seed is good is not enough. We must “nourish it with great care, that it may get root” [Alma 32:37]. …

… Discipleship is not a spectator sport. We cannot expect to experience the blessings of faith by standing inactive on the sidelines any more than we can experience the benefits of health by sitting on a sofa watching sporting events on television and giving advice to the athletes. (“The Way of the Disciple,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 76, 77)

Ponder in Preparation for Class

What counsel might you give to someone who is discouraged because he or she has acted in faith but has not yet experienced the fruits of faith?

Section 2

How can nourishing the word of God through faith bring me closer to Jesus Christ?

Alma taught that when the seed sprouts and begins to grow, we will know the seed is good and our faith will be strengthened. After this initial growth, Alma warned not to “lay aside your faith” and neglect nourishing the tree (see Alma 32:30–38).

Study in Preparation for Class

Read Alma 32:41–43, looking for the blessings that come when we nourish the tree with sustained, lifelong faith.

As Alma finished teaching the Zoramites about faith, he pointed out that the seed he wanted them to plant in their hearts was the message that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who would “atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead” (Alma 33:22–23). Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote:

In this brilliant discourse, Alma moves the reader from a general commentary on faith in the seedlike word of God to a focused discourse on faith in Christ as the Word of God, grown to a fruit-bearing tree, a tree whose fruit is exactly that of Lehi’s earlier perception of Christ’s love. … Christ is the seed, the tree, and the fruit of eternal life. (Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon [1997], 169)

Ponder in Preparation for Class

How has acting in faith and planting Jesus Christ and His gospel in your heart influenced your testimony and conversion?

Section 3

In what ways can I be blessed by exercising faith in Jesus Christ?

As Moroni concluded his work on the Book of Mormon, he included a sermon that his father, Mormon, had delivered many years earlier (see Moroni 7:1). In this sermon Mormon taught what can be accomplished through the power of faith.

Study in Preparation for Class

Read Moroni 7:25–26, 33, and consider the blessings and miracles we can experience as we exercise faith in Jesus Christ.

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught how our faith in Christ brings added power into our lives:

To gain unshakable faith in Jesus Christ is to flood your life with brilliant light. You are no longer alone to struggle with challenges you know you cannot resolve or control yourself, for He said, “If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me” [Moroni 7:33; italics added].

If you are despondent, racked by transgression, are ill, alone, or desperately in need of comfort and support, I solemnly testify that the Lord will help you when you carefully obey the spiritual law upon which that help is predicated. He is your Father. You are His child. He loves you. He will never let you down. I know He will bless you. (“Obtaining Help from the Lord,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 86)

Record Your Thoughts

Identify one or two people in the Book of Mormon who demonstrated faith in Jesus Christ, and write about how they were blessed. Be prepared to share your examples during class. You might also consider ways you have experienced the Lord’s power as you have exercised faith in Him.

Want More? (Optional)

Where can I learn more about the doctrine of Christ?

You can learn more about the doctrine of Christ by studying 2 Nephi 31:2, 10–21 and 3 Nephi 27:13–22.

Brother Brian K. Ashton explained the doctrine of Christ in his talk “The Doctrine of Christ” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 106–9).

What can be accomplished through faith in Christ?

As recorded in Ether 12:3–22, Moroni taught about the importance of faith and provided examples of miracles that were accomplished through faith in Jesus Christ.

In the video “Foundations of Faith” (4:13), Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles discusses how consistent and sustained faith is necessary for lasting spiritual growth.