Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

I would like you to know of the special feelings and goodness that comes to me as a father. I love each of you and your families, and am reminded of you often as I go through each day. As I read from the Ensign, hear talks in church and get ideas from working with Pres. Cherrington, or just reading from the newspaper, I have had promptings to share ideas and thoughts with you. Well, Not So!! As you are aware, I have not done much sharing in recent days.

Recently, through an article in the Ensign, as well as some of our planning meetings, and through the Spirit, I am impressed that we, both individually and as a family, need to find ourselves closer to the Savior each day. This idea is not simply something to think about, but this is a call to action, this is about everyday life, our challenges from Satan, and our choices each day. I know about Satan. We all know he is real and how he attacks you and me. I can relate to the advice from Paul to the Ephesians (Eph 6:11-18) and suggest his words apply to each of us. We were each issued a set of armor, but if you go to ‘battle’ without ‘putting it on,’ you will be impacted beyond expectation.

Consider also the words of Alma the younger, when he counseled the people of Zarahemla, asking; “…have you received His image in our countenance?” As a McEvoy, I expect these words will cause great memories to return to your mind and heart. The question he asked has more power and use to us, then simply the song and the singer. His message to the people of Zarahemla applies to each one of us. Reflect please on his situation. Alma teaches about the process of forgiveness and developing a relationship with the Savior. He refers to “…a mighty change being wrought in our heart.” (Alma 5:12&13) He explains the role of trust and faith in our being saved. He suggests we must be “…spiritually born of God,” and that we should receive His image in our countenance in order to experience this mighty change of heart. (Alma 5:14)

In our stake meetings, we have been discussing the types of challenges the students are experiencing, and how we might treat those problems. In each case, the nature of the problem can be treated first with a stronger relationship with Heavenly Father and also with the Savior, even Jesus Christ. We are now focusing on stake Conference in April, with the scripture from 2 Ne 31:20 as our theme. We believe this will help each who are interested in raising their spirituality to do so and become closer to having His image in our countenance. We must come to a better understanding of what the Savior has already done in our behalf, and how He has paved the way for our being forgiven in the days that are yet to come. We must find ourselves actually becoming closer to Him each day!

Alma goes on to teach about faith and our use of it, “…faith in the redemption of Him who created you.” (Alma 5:15) He also teaches us about how the Lord will represent us at the day of judgment, and how we must stand at that time with our garments washed white. (Alma 5:21)

May each of you heed the words of the prophet Alma, and experience this mighty change of heart, accepting the Savior as your redeemer and working each day to eventually receive His image in your countenance, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.