Faith
by Shauna Gibby

It is our faith in Jesus Christ that sustains us at the crossroads of life’s journey.

Conference Talk
For more information on this topic read “Live by Faith and Not by Fear,” by Quentin L. Cook, Ensign, Nov 2007, 70–73.

Thought
It is our faith in Jesus Christ that sustains us at the crossroads of life’s journey. (Quentin L. Cook, “Live by Faith and Not by Fear,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 70–73.)

Song
“Faith,” Children’s Songbook, p. 96.

Scripture Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world. (Helaman 5:47)

Lesson
Print the following on word strips:
• Remember that
• without faith
• you can do
• nothing;
• therefore
• ask
• in faith.

Place the phrase strips in random order, on a wall or other display area. Have the family unscramble the phrases until they think it is what the scripture says. Have them look up Doctrine and Covenants 8:10 and talk about the meaning of the scripture. (Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Building Blocks for Better Lessons, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1998], p. 21.)

Story
For a number of years, I was privileged to work with the wonderful Saints in the islands of the sea. All my life I have seen the power of the priesthood used to heal and bless in many ways. But I have seen the Polynesian Saints, through their faith and through the power of the priesthood literally control the elements.

Elder L. Tom Perry, Elder Robert L. Simpson, and I, accompanied by our wives, were assigned to hold a great regional conference in Tonga. The meeting was attended by thousands and thousands of Church members. Our conference was to be held in an open soccer stadium of the Liahona High School. No building on the island could hold such a large gathering.

It rained intermittently prior to the meeting, and I said to the local Tongan brethren, “What are the Saints going to do if it rains during the meeting?” Their answer was, without hesitation, “It is not going to rain.” I responded, “I certainly hope that is true. But what will we do if it rains?” The brethren said, “Elder Faust, it will not rain.” And it did not rain until our meeting was over. I have seen this same kind of faith many times. (James E. Faust, Stories From My Life, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2001], p. 79-80.)

Activity
Prepare ahead by copying the letters to spell out F-A-I-T-H on individual sheets of paper. Each family member will need all five letters.

Play the “Go Forward with FAITH” game. Give each player a set of cards that spell out F-A-I-T-H. Have everyone stand on one side of the room. Players take turns answering the questions for the letter F. When they have answered, they can toss their letter F in front of them and then jump to it. Throw as far as you think you can jump but no farther. If you jump short of the card, you must return to your previous spot and answer the question again. When each person has moved to his or her new position, continue with the A card and so on. Play until each person has landed on their H card.

Game questions:
F: Tell your FEELINGS about your FAMILY and Jesus Christ.
A: Tell what ACTIONS you can do to strengthen your faith.
I: Faith is needed IN obeying which commandments?
T: Share your TESTIMONY about the Book of Mormon and the prophet.
H: Tell how faith HELPS you in your life.
(Deborah Pace Rowley, Before They Turn Twelve, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2007], p. 97.)

Refreshment

Pineapple Upside Down Cake
2/3 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 (16-ounce) can pineapple rings
Maraschino cherries (one cherry per pineapple ring)
Pecan halves (optional)
1 box yellow cake mix, prepared according to package directions

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Place the butter and brown sugar in a glass, rectangular baking dish and place the dish in the oven until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Remove the dish and place the pineapple rings in the butter and sugar mixture. Put a cherry in the center of each pineapple ring. (You could also put pecan halves in the spaces between the pineapple rings.) Pour the cake batter over the pineapple and cherries. Bake for about 35 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, then loosen the edges with a knife and turn the cake over onto a large tray or cookie sheet. Serve with whipped cream, or just eat it fresh from the oven. Serves 10 to 12.

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Deseret Book