Attribute #2 - Faith
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Alma 32:21
And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.
As I spent some time studying faith earlier this year, I wondered why it was so often listed as the first Christlike attribute. I felt that Christ didn't need faith because he had knowledge. However, once I realized that the first definition of faith - as allegiance to someone and devotion to duty - perfectly exemplifies the Savior, it made total sense.
"Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation. We measure our faith by what it leads us to do - by our obedience. . . Faith is a catalyst. Without works, without virtuous living, our faith is without power."
Robert D. Hales, April 2017
An ancestor who epitomizes faith to me is my 4th great grandfather, Sanford Porter, who is part of my link to George Soule. You can read about his life here and here and here. He wasn't always full of faith. In fact, there was a time when he didn't even believe in God and figured death equaled annihilation. But then, in 1815, he was shown a vision of the post mortal world and was promised that some day, if he was faithful and obedient, he would find Christ's true church. To make a long story short, he did.
Sanford Porter and his family joined the Church in Illinois in 1831 and then moved to Independence, Missouri to join with the Saints. They were “on the front lines” during many of the events of early Church history. They helped to build the Nauvoo Temple and received their temple ordinances there. They suffered at Winter Quarters and buried family members there. They contributed a son to the Mormon Battalion. They crossed the plains with an 1847 wagon company. They founded Porterville, Utah and spread out across countless other communities. Their story of faith, sacrifice and devotion to the Restored Gospel is an inspiration to all.
Christmas is “faith in God and His Eternal Son. It is faith in His wondrous ways and message. It is faith in Him as our Redeemer and our Lord. We testify of His living reality. We testify of the divinity of His nature. In our times of grateful meditation, we acknowledge His priceless gift to us and pledge our love and faith. This is what Christmas is really about.”
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