Good morning brothers and sisters. For those of you who may not know
me, my name is Kaya Gibson. I am 12 years old and I am in 7th grade at
Sowers Middle School. I love the beach and my family.
Today I have been asked to speak on faith and repentance and how they
go together. The 4th article of faith teaches us that the first principles of the
Gospel are first faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and second, Repentance. In
the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, President Joseph Fielding
Smith taught us that it should be uppermost in our minds, now and at all
times, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the
world to lay down his life that we might live. That is the truth, and is
important. Upon that our faith is built.
It is by faith that we come to our Heavenly Father. If we did not believe in
Jesus Christ and if we didn’t have faith in Him or in His atonement, we
wouldn’t feel any need or desire to follow His commandments. It is because
of our faith that we are able to be in harmony with His truth and his Gospel
and have a desire in our hearts to serve him.
Faith however, by itself is not enough. We are taught by James in James
2:26, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is
dead also”. So, when we have faith we have to act on that faith. This is one
way that faith is different from belief and one way that makes faith stronger
than belief.
Repentance is the second fundamental principle of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ and it is one of the actions that comes about by faith. We have been
taught that we cannot return to live with our Heavenly Father in a state of
unrighteousness. Since none of us are perfect, the only way we can be in a
state of righteousness is by repenting of our sins and walking in the light of
Christ. Repentance is one of the most comforting principles of the Gospel
and it show us the mercy of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ more
fully than any other principle. Repentance is a gift from our Heavenly
Father. It is not always easy for some people to repent, but the gift of
repentance and faith is given to everyone who seeks for it.
I know that our Heavenly Father loves us. I know that if we have faith and
repent we can return to him. I’m so grateful for the gospel in my life and I
love this church with all my heart. I am also so grateful for all of the
leaders, teachers and church members who help me every week.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.