I am a Mormon.

My faith, my religion, is very important to me. It is the foundation upon which everything else rests. My belief in Jesus Christ keeps me going through the tough times, brings me joy in the good times, comforts me when I am down, and guides me every day. Mine is not a passive faith. It is one of action.

If there is any one thing that you and I need, to help us find success and fulfillment in this world, it is faith – that dynamic, powerful, marvelous element by which, as Paul declared, the very worlds were framed (see Hebrews 11:3). I refer not to some ethereal concept but a practical, pragmatic, working faith – the kind of faith that moves us to get on our knees and plead with the Lord for guidance, and then, having a measure of divine confidence, get on our feet and go to work to help bring the desired results to pass. Such faith is an asset beyond compare. Such faith is, when all is said and done, our only genuine and lasting hope. ~Gordon B. Hinckley, Standing for Something
, pg 109)

I come from great stock! My ancestors were a believing people. I am where I am today, and have what I have (speaking faith-wise) because of the choices they made. But it is also because I choose to continue building on the foundation that they laid. I love hearing their stories of faith and miracles and how the Lord helped them through challenging times. I also enjoying searching the scriptures and reading how others expressed their faith. Hebrews 11 is a great chapter to read when one is needing an extra dose of faith building stories. We learn about Noah, and Sarah, and Joseph, and Moses. You know what’s so stunning about all these people? They weren’t free from challenges at all but it was precisely because of the challenges, and how they reacted to them, that increased their faith. And that’s what I want my children to learn.

No matter how difficult the journey may be or how dark the night may seem, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ blessings will come as we show our faith in Him. As the Apostle Paul stated “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11).

So we teach our children by praying with them everyday, studying scriptures with them everyday, singing hymns everyday, living our religion everyday not just on Sundays.

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. 2 Nephi 25:26

I want my children to know they are children of God. He loves them, He hears them, they are precious in His sight, and He will not leave them to struggle and fight through this life alone.

If you’d like some interesting reads, Sarah at Clover Lane has been posting interviews with mothers of various faiths with the goal in her own words “to interview fellow mothers/bloggers of different faiths and have a little window into each of their lives…and to see in the end, how we are all trying to achieve the same thing…to prepare faithful, loving, compassionate, children to go out into the world and lead productive, purposeful, meaningful lives.

We are all more similar than we are different.

Different doctrines, different traditions, different rituals, different beliefs, but our fears, our love for our families, and our hopes for our children are all so alike.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Join us for Wordfull Wednesday! Write a post about today’s topic and come back and sign the Mr. Linky.

June 09 – Faith – There are many religions throughout the world. They are different in doctrines, traditions, beliefs, rituals but there are also many similarities. Faith is what keeps families grounded, helps to bring meaning and purpose to our lives. Tell us about your faith – no matter what it is – and how it has helped you in your life. How are you teaching that to your children?  “Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer…” (Family Proclamation, paragraph 7)

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