Zion Was Always Here – The Truth of the Covenant People

Good morning, brothers and sisters.
I’m grateful for the chance to speak today about the faith of our fathers and what that means for us now.

When I first heard the phrase “Faith of Our Fathers,” my mind immediately went to the hymn we sang this morning. But as I’ve thought about it more, I realize it means much more than just the words of a song. The faith of our fathers is about the legacy that has been handed down to us—a legacy of belief, of trust in God, and of courage to live the gospel even when it isn’t easy.

For me, the faith of my fathers starts with my own family. I think of my parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents, some of whom faced hard times, but still chose to trust in Jesus Christ and try to follow Him. Sometimes their stories are simple—like a grandmother who never missed a Sunday at church, or a grandfather who quietly served his neighbors. Sometimes they are dramatic—like pioneers who left everything behind to follow what they knew was right. All of these people had moments when they had to choose faith, even when things were uncertain or difficult.

One thing I’ve learned is that faith isn’t something we inherit automatically. Just because my parents or grandparents believed doesn’t mean I will—unless I choose it for myself. Their example can inspire me, but at some point, I have to decide to trust God, to pray, and to keep going even when I don’t have all the answers. That’s what I think it means to honor the faith of our fathers—not just to remember their stories, but to live in a way that carries their legacy forward.

I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned from those who came before me. Their faith teaches me that I can trust God’s promises, even when I can’t see how things will work out. Their faith shows me that small acts of kindness and service really do matter. Their faith reminds me that no matter what happens in the world, I can find hope and strength in Jesus Christ.

I want to share a scripture that means a lot to me. In 2 Timothy 1:5, Paul says to Timothy, “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” I love this scripture because it reminds me that faith can be passed down, person to person, generation to generation—but only if we choose to make it our own.

I hope I can honor the faith of my fathers and mothers by living true to what I know, by trying to be kind and serve others, and by choosing to trust God, even when it’s hard. I’m grateful for their example, and I hope we can all find ways to carry their legacy forward.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Brothers and sisters, good morning.
Today’s theme, “Faith of Our Fathers,” invites us to remember those who have gone before us—our parents, grandparents, and ancestors, but also the pioneers in the faith, both famous and unsung, who blazed a trail for us. When I think of the faith of our fathers, I think of courage—of real people facing real trials, yet choosing to trust in the Lord.

In the history of the Church, and in each of our families, there are stories of sacrifice and faith. I think of the pioneers who crossed plains and mountains, facing hunger, illness, and uncertainty, but pressing forward because they believed in God’s promises. Their journeys weren’t easy. Some lost loved ones. Some walked hundreds of miles with barely any belongings. They could have given up, but their faith helped them keep going.

But it’s not only the pioneers of the 1800s whose stories matter. Each of us has ancestors—whether in this Church or elsewhere—who faced their own trials. For some, the journey was about coming to a new country. For others, it was about keeping their faith during war, poverty, or persecution. My own family has stories that inspire me. (You can insert a personal story here: e.g., “One of my ancestors was [name], who [briefly tell a family story of faith, migration, or trial]. Through it all, they chose faith over fear.”)

It’s easy to admire the faith of people from the past, but sometimes we forget they were ordinary people like us. They had doubts, fears, and sometimes wondered if their sacrifices would be worth it. What made the difference was their decision to trust the Lord and move forward, even when the future was unknown.

President Gordon B. Hinckley once said, “The faith that motivated our forebears must be our watchword today. We must not let down the cause. We must rise to the task and march forward as did they.”

I believe the same kind of faith is needed today. We may not be crossing frozen rivers or pulling handcarts, but we all face our own personal challenges. Maybe it’s an illness, a family struggle, or the challenge of staying true to our beliefs when it isn’t popular. When we remember the examples of those who went before us, we gain courage to keep moving, knowing we are not alone.

One thing that stands out to me is that faith is a choice. The pioneers chose faith, day after day. Our ancestors made conscious decisions to hold on to hope, serve others, and stay close to God. We can do the same.

As we honor the faith of our fathers, we also create a legacy for those who will come after us. Our choices now—how we respond to trials, how we treat others, how we keep the commandments—will become the stories that inspire our children and grandchildren.

Let us remember that faith is rarely about seeing the whole path; it’s about taking the next step, trusting that God will provide a way. The faith of our fathers wasn’t just for them—it is for us, here and now.

I’m grateful for their example and for the strength that their stories give me. May we follow in their footsteps, building our own faith so that future generations will look back and be inspired by us.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Good morning, brothers and sisters.
As we have heard today, “Faith of Our Fathers” is more than just a phrase from a hymn—it is a reminder of our heritage, our blessings, and the sacred responsibility we have to build upon the foundation laid by those who came before us.

We live in a remarkable time. We have access to knowledge, technology, and opportunity that previous generations only dreamed of. Yet the foundation for any lasting happiness or progress still rests on the same principles: faith in Jesus Christ, love for one another, and the willingness to act with courage and conviction.

Our fathers and mothers, our pioneers and ancestors, may have crossed oceans, deserts, or mountains. They may have faced persecution, poverty, or heartbreak. Their stories are reminders that true faith is always active—it leads to action. They didn’t just believe; they built, they served, they endured. Their faith became visible in their daily choices.

The question for us today is: How do we honor that legacy? How do we build upon their faith in our own time and circumstances?

First, we build by remembering. President Henry B. Eyring taught, “Remembrance is the seed of gratitude, which is the seed of faith.” We remember not just the big events in our ancestors’ lives, but also the small, daily decisions they made to be honest, to work hard, to forgive, and to love. As we remember, we gain strength for our own journey.

Second, we build by choosing faith over fear. The world is full of uncertainty. It’s easy to let doubt or discouragement take root. But the faith of our fathers calls us to look forward with hope. Alma taught that “faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.” We may not know the end from the beginning, but we can trust the One who does.

Third, we build by serving others. The legacy of faith is not just about our personal salvation—it’s about reaching out, lifting up, and building Zion wherever we are. Our ancestors sacrificed for their families, their neighbors, and their communities. We carry that forward every time we show kindness, stand up for truth, or share our testimony with someone in need.

Finally, we build by creating our own legacy. The choices we make now—how we love, how we repent, how we follow the Savior—will shape the faith of future generations. We may not think of ourselves as pioneers, but every act of faith we make paves the way for those who come after us.

Brothers and sisters, the faith of our fathers is alive and well when we remember, when we choose faith over fear, when we serve, and when we strive to leave a legacy of righteousness and love. Our Heavenly Father knows our challenges. He honors every sincere effort we make, no matter how small.

As we partake of the sacrament today and renew our covenants, may we recommit to building upon the faith that has brought us this far. May we look forward with courage and hope, trusting that the Lord will help us become the mothers and fathers of faith for those who follow after us.

I testify that Jesus Christ lives. He is the foundation of every lasting legacy. As we follow Him, we will find strength beyond our own. I am grateful for those who came before, and I pray that I can be true to their faith.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.