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 (Alma 32:21)."

The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Having faith in the Savior leads us to action. 

There are many principles of the gospel that require us to exercise faith:

• prayer
• tithing
• fasting
• repentance
• keeping the Sabbath day holy

It is interesting that we teach these principles line upon line; precept upon precept staring with our children at home and at church.  "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" outlines some of the responsibilities we have as parents:

"Husband and Wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.  'Children are an heritage of the Lord' (Psalm 127:3).  Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.  Husbands and wivers -- mothers and fathers -- will be held acocuntable before God for the discharge of these obligations"

Each principle that we teach is primarly taught by example.  We can not effectively teach our children to pray if we haven't established a habit of prayer in our own lives.  When we begin to regularly offer up morning and evening prayers it will be easier to pray as a family and to teach our children to offer their own personal prayers.

Some principles of the gospel are also commandments, like paying tithing and keeping the Sabbath day holy.  Again, these are principles that are only taught by example.  Sharing experiences with your children about the blessing received from paying tithes and offerings may help embed these principles in their hearts.  Teaching your children to always be in their church meetings will also help them to keep the Sabbath day holy.

Sacrament meeting is the most important meeting that our children should attend with us.  This is the time that we have to partake of the sacrament and to ponder on the sacred words of the prayers.  This is the time we ask for forgiveness of our weakness and then to renew our baptsimal covenants.  The sacrament is an important part of the blessings we receive through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.