Faith in Christ changes lives, leads to salvation
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Faith and obedience are the answers to the concerns, cares and suffering of Church members, said Elder David E. Sorensen.
"Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, is truly the power that can change our lives and lead us to salvation," he said.
During his Sunday morning address, Elder Sorensen of the Presidency of the Seventy recalled the early 1950s when — because of war on the Korean Peninsula — the Church was allowed to send only one missionary from each ward.
When his bishop gave him the opportunity to serve a mission, Elder Sorensen worried. He had planned to enter the Army ROTC and become an officer. If he served a mission he would receive his draft papers immediately following his return and serve instead as an enlisted man. Still, Elder Sorensen filled a mission, and was drafted later. Serving as a military policeman, he experienced many opportunities for leadership.
"Many times when we exercise faith to do the Lord's will, we find that we are richly blessed for our obedience," he said.
Sometimes, though, members find that even when they do their best to serve the Lord, they still suffer, he added.
"Remember that the Lord has promised that He will help us as we face adversity. He has particular compassion for whose who suffer."
As part of the Atonement, the Savior suffered all things, said Elder Sorensen. "He knows physical and emotional pain; He knows the sorrow of loss and betrayal. But He showed us that ultimately love, patience, humility, and obedience are the path to true peace and happiness. . . .
"We who have accepted Jesus as our Savior must rely wholly on the merits of Christ. He will save us after all we can do. When we courageously exercise our faith, and when we go forward relying on the merits of Christ, He will bless us and guide us in all our efforts. He will strengthen us and bring us peace in the times of our trials. 'For we walk by faith, not by sight' (2 Corinthians 5:7). I pray that each of us can better learn to put our trust in the Lord and to increase our faith in Him."
Elder Sorensen also reminded Church members to follow President Gordon B. Hinckley — a man who is "not only a living prophet, but also a living seer."
"He sees things that others do not see. He has the gift of discernment; he is an optimist and a realist."
