The Lord is ready to help those who are obedient to replace unbelief with faith, Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Seventy said during the Saturday afternoon session of conference.
He referred to the father who asked Jesus to cast an evil spirit out of his son, quoting Mark 9: 23-24: "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
Elder Clayton explained: "We simply go and do the things the Lord has commanded, even when we are weary, trusting that He will help us to do exactly as He asks. As we do so, the Lord helps our unbelief, and our faith becomes powerful, vibrant and unshakable."
He continued: "No matter who we are or where we live, there is much about our daily lives that is routine and repetitive. As we go about this daily-ness, we must be deliberate about doing the things that matter most. These must-do things include making room first for the minimum daily requirements of faithful behavior: true obedience, humble prayer, serious scripture study and selfless service to others. No other daily vitamins strengthen the muscles of our faith as fast as these actions. We also must remember that genuine fasting fosters strong faith. This is especially important as we faithfully seek to fix deeply imbedded character flaws which 'goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.' " (Matthew 17:21.)
Continuing, Elder Clayton said: "We see countless examples of faith developing in Church members today. As young men, young women and mature couples accept calls to serve missions, as couples prepare themselves in virtue to be married in the holy temple, as parents train up children in the way they should go, they strengthen their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. As we keep the Sabbath day holy, magnify callings, pay tithes and offerings, welcome new members into Church circles, and invite friends and neighbors to learn gospel truths, we strengthen our faith. When we choose to abandon our sins and repent willingly, and when we fall to our knees in prayer in good times as well as in turbulent times, we develop strong faith."
