Faith

Faith is the first principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  What is Faith?

I think of the Primary song "Faith"

Faith is knowing the sun will rise, lighting each new day.
Faith is knowing the Lord will hear my prayers each time I pray.
Faith is like a little seed: If planted it will grow.
Faith is a swelling within my heart. When I do right, I know.

Faith is knowing I lived with God before my mortal birth.
Faith is knowing I can return when my life ends on earth.
Faith is trust in God above; In Christ, who showed the way.
Faith is strengthened; I feel it grow whenever I obey.

How much sweeter and more simple can it be?

"Faith leads to action.  It leads to sincere and lasting repentance.  Having faith causes us to try as hard as we can to learn about and become more like our Savior. We want to learn what His commandments are and then obey them.  Even though we will still make mistakes, we show our love for Him by striving to keep His commandments and avoid sin" (Preach My Gospel, 61-62).

Did you know that faith can actually be a power that makes things happen.  It's true!  As we obey God, we are blessed with power to bear our challenges, change the unrighteous desires of our hearts, and God can heal us both physically and spiritually.
"...the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him..." (1 Nephi 7:12).
So exercising faith is like tapping into the power of God in our lives.  Who wouldn't want that?

Faith is also like climbing a mountain because we've been told there is a gorgeous lake at the top.  We can't see it yet, but there are signs along the way pointing us in the right direction.  We can't just sit at the bottom of the mountain and say, "oh yes, I believe" but do nothing to find out for ourselves.  We must pick ourselves up and keep on putting one foot in front of the other until we see for ourselves the sparkling water.

Faith, Power, and Salvation
1 Nephi 7:12
2 Nephi 9:23
2 Nephi 25:23
Moroni 7:33-34
Moroni 10:7

The Doctrine of Faith
Alma 32
Ephesians 2:8
Bible Dictionary, "Faith"

Examples of Faith
Ether 12
Hebrews 11

Works and Obedience
1 Nephi 3:7
D&C 130:20-21
James 2:17-26

Faith unto Repentence
Alma 34

Kingdoms of Glory

Through scriptures and revelation we have learned that each of us will stand before God to be judged of our works here on Earth.  Christ, knowing perfectly our thoughts and intents will be the perfect judge.  None of us will feel that we have been dealt with unjustly, and more than likely we will play a part in deciding where we feel comfortable living out eternity.

There are three different kingdoms of glory where we could be assigned to: the Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial.

The Celestial kingdom will be where God dwells with those who have repented of their sins and received the ordinances of the gospel and kept their covenants. Here we will experience the most joy, also known as Eternal life or Eternal increase. It has been compared to the brightness of the sun.

The Terrestrial will be for those who did not accept the gospel of Jesus Christ but did live an honorable life. It has been compared to the brightness of the moon.

The Telestial kingdom will be for those who rejected the gospel, continued in their sins and did not repent in this life. It has been compared to the brightness of a star.

I don't know about you, but I am horrified when I think of all the mistakes I've made and all the good things I should have done.  I can only hope and pray that God will be very gracious with me!

I ran across this talk.  It is as straight-forward as it can be.  Read it!
 
What Will A Man Give? by Mark E. Petersen

Scripture Study
Judgement
2 Nephi 28:23
Mosiah 3:23-25
Alma 5:15-21
Alma 12:12-14
D&C 132:12; 137:9
John 5:22

Kingdoms of Glory
3 Nephi 28:10
D&C 76: Introduction
D&C 76
D&C 137
Matthew 5:48
1 Corinthians 15:40-42

Eternal Life
D&C 14:7
D&C 29:43-44
D&C 45:8
D&C 93:19
John 3:16
John 17:3

Sunrise

The heart anguishes when someone we love has to leave us through death, but it is so comforting to know that they are not gone forever.

After our physical death, our spirits go to a place called the spirit world.  Here we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and choose whether or not we accept it.  We also wait here for the time our spirits and our perfected bodies will be reunited again.

Every time I think of someone dear who has passed on, I am encouraged to live a little better, and hold my loved ones a little closer.  I look forward to a wonderful reunion.  I know that all the trials and unfairness in this life will be made up for through Christ.

Death is like a glorious sunset.  If we were to never see the sun again, it would indeed be dreadfully sad to see it go.  We are able to fully enjoy the splendor of the day because we know we will soon enjoy the light of the sunrise.

D&C 138
1 Peter 3:18-20
1 Peter 4:6
Alma 34:34
Alma 40:11-14
Ecclesiastes 12:7