The Atonement and Faith

I figure that since we get the Ensign delivered to our door step every month, I need to take the time to read it. I was reading through the April Ensign this month, and the talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks was the one that struck me. It's called, "The Atonement and Faith." Mostly the part about faith was for my benefit. Faith seems so simple, but it's always been a struggle for me. So this talk was more than what I needed to hear.



"Faith comes by hearing the word of God which comes by scripture, by prophetic teaching, and by personal revelation. The word of God teaches us that we are children of God the Eternal Father. It teaches us about the identity and mission of Jesus Christ. Founded on our knowledge of those things, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is a conviction and trust that God knows us and loves us and will hear our prayers and answer them with that is best for us.

Faith in the Lord is trust in the Lord. We cannot have true faith in the Lord without also having complete trust in the Lord’s will and in the Lord’s timing. As a result, no matter how strong our faith is, it cannot produce a result contrary to the will of Him in whom we have faith. Remember this when your prayers do not seem to be answered in the way or at the time you desire. The exercise of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is always subject to the order of heaven, to the goodness and will and wisdom and timing of the Lord. When we have that kind of faith and trust in the Lord, we have true security and serenity in our lives. "- Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Having faith has been such a struggle for me because when I need an answer, I want it right away. I have a great deal of patience, except for when it comes to answers to my prayers. I have a lot to work on as far as Faith goes, but I know that the Lord knows what is best for me. He knows my future and what lies ahead. He knows all of the struggles and trials that I'll be faced with. He knows who I'll marry and when I'll marry. He knows how many kids I'll have. He knows how old I'll grow to be. The Lord knows what's in store for me, I just have to remember that it's in his time that he will make those things known unto me. I can't wait! ... I mean, I can wait. :)