INFORMATION ON FAITH

Hebrews 11; James 1:5–6; 2:14–26; Ether 12:4–27; Moroni 7:20–48; D&C 63:7–11; 90:24

The Apostle Paul taught that “faith is the substance [assurance] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Alma made a similar statement: “If ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:21). Faith is a principle of action and power. Whenever we work toward a worthy goal, we exercise faith. We show our hope for something that we cannot yet see.

Excerpts from Lectures on Faith

1. NOW faith is the substance [assurance] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2. For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

From this we learn that faith is the assurance which men have of the existence of things which they have not seen, and the principle of action in all intelligent beings.

If men were duly to consider themselves, and turn their thoughts and reflections to the operations of their own minds, they would readily discover that it is faith, and faith only, which is the moving cause of all action in them; that without it both mind and body would be in a state of inactivity, and all their exertions would cease, both physical and mental.

But faith is not only the principle of action, but of power also, in all intelligent beings, whether in heaven or on earth. Thus says the author of the epistle to the Hebrews (11:3): “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

Who cannot see, that if God framed the worlds by faith, that it is by faith that he exercises power over them, and that faith is the principle of power? And if the principle of power, it must be so in man as well as in the Deity? This is the testimony of all the sacred writers, and the lesson which they have been endeavouring to teach to man.

24. Faith, then, is the first great governing principle which has power, dominion, and authority over all things; by it they exist, by it they are upheld, by it they are changed, or by it they remain, agreeable to the will of God. Without it there is no power, and without power there could be no creation nor existence!

3:13. First, that he was God before the world was created, and the same God that he was after it was created.

Secondly, that he is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness, and that he was so from everlasting, and will be to everlasting. 3:15.

Thirdly, that he changes not, neither is there variableness with him; but that he is the same from everlasting to everlasting, being the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; and that his course is one eternal round, without variation. 3:16.

Fourthly, that he is a God of truth and cannot lie. 17.

Fifthly, that he is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of him. 3:18.

Sixthly, that he is love.

Faith yields priesthood power

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the priesthood’s dynamic power source. By failing to put faith first in our callings, we reduce the priesthood’s light and power. Other obstacles also block its beneficial rays.

Oliver Cowdery thought he could translate under the flickering light of a candle. The Lord instructed him, “Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in faith.” (D&C 8:10.)

Past priesthood leaders such as Peter, Paul, Joseph, and Brigham accomplished amazing results in their callings. How? They all did it with faith. They had no computers or fax machines. Their power depended on faith. Jesus often answered pleas for his miraculous intervention, “According to your faith be it unto you.” (See Matt. 9:29; Matt 15:28.)

Rather than relying on faith, we are tempted to stay with the comfortable and tangible tools of our temporal lives to accomplish priesthood callings. The Church has also provided some tools. These tools are useful. They have helped us achieve success, power, and control over our time. They include our natural intelligence; education and training; preparation, with manuals, handbooks, agendas, and budgets.

We operate with diligent, purposeful effort using management concepts and systems we have learned. I wouldn’t say a word against these tools. They serve us well. Often they have come themselves through a process of faith and inspiration, trial and error, and intelligent effort. After all, the Lord said, “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing.” (D&C 88:119.)

Add faith, however, and priesthood service becomes magnificent. Two candles suddenly burst into four hundred watts of light. More to the point, we tap into the Lord’s power source, and our actions move in rhythm with His. The Lord compensates for our deficiencies. Vast, unseen reservoirs of dynamic power supply our needs.     [John K. Carmack, “Faith Yields Priesthood Power,” Ensign, May 1993, 41]

Ask in Faith

“My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join” (Joseph Smith—History 1:10, 18).

Joseph’s questions focused not just on what he needed to know but also on what was to be done! His prayer was not simply, “Which church is right?” His question was, “Which church should I join?” Joseph went to the grove to ask in faith, and he was determined to act.

True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to righteous action. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “faith [is] the first principle in revealed religion, and the foundation of all righteousness” and that it is also “the principle of action in all intelligent beings” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 1). Action alone is not faith in the Savior, but acting in accordance with correct principles is a central component of faith. Thus, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20).

The Prophet Joseph further explained that “faith is not only the principle of action, but of power also, in all intelligent beings, whether in heaven or on earth” (Lectures on Faith, 3). Thus, faith in Christ leads to righteous action, which increases our spiritual capacity and power. Understanding that faith is a principle of action and of power inspires us to exercise our moral agency in compliance with gospel truth, invites the redeeming and strengthening powers of the Savior’s Atonement into our lives, and enlarges the power within us whereby we are agents unto ourselves (see D&C 58:28).

I long have been impressed with the truth that meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work. Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them, and prayer, as “a form of work, … is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings” (Bible Dictionary, “Prayer,” 753). We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer, after we say “amen,” by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father.

“Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other” (Bible Dictionary, “Prayer,” 752–53). Humble, earnest, and persistent prayer enables us to recognize and align ourselves with the will of our Heavenly Father. And in this the Savior provided the perfect example as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. … And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly” (Luke 22:42, 44). [David A. Bednar, “Ask in Faith,” Ensign, May 2008, 94–9]

Faith is always a gift of God to man, which is obtained by obedience, as all other blessings are. The man or woman in this Church who desires to enrich his or her faith to the highest possible degree will desire to observe every rite and ordinance in the Church in conformity to the law of obedience to the will of God. In these things, and through them, man gains a more perfect knowledge of God’s purposes in the world. An enriched faith means an enlarged power, and though man may not have in this life an occasion to exercise all the powers that come to him through the enrichment of his faith, those powers may be exercised in their fulness in eternity, if not in time. [Gospel Doctrine, 444–45]

Faith is always a gift of God to man, which is obtained by obedience, as all other blessings are. The man or woman in this Church who desires to enrich his or her faith to the highest possible degree will desire to observe every rite and ordinance in the Church in conformity to the law of obedience to the will of God. In these things, and through them, man gains a more perfect knowledge of God’s purposes in the world. An enriched faith means an enlarged power, and though man may not have in this life an occasion to exercise all the powers that come to him through the enrichment of his faith, those powers may be exercised in their fulness in eternity, if not in time. [Gospel Doctrine, 444–45]

Faith exists when absolute confidence in that which we cannot see combines with action that is in absolute conformity to the will of our Heavenly Father. Without all three—first, absolute confidence; second, action; and third, absolute conformity—without these three all we have is a counterfeit, a weak and watered-down faith. Let me discuss each of these three imperatives of faith.

Often what passes for faith in this world is little more than gullibility. It is distressing to see how eager some people are to embrace fads and theories while rejecting or giving less credence and attention to the everlasting principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is distressing how eagerly some rush into foolish or unethical behavior, believing that God will somehow deliver them from the inevitable tragic consequences of their actions. They even go so far as to ask for the blessings of heaven, knowing in their hearts that what they do is contrary to the will of our Father in Heaven.                                                                                                                                                    Faith is not so much something we believe; faith is something we live.                                                                                                                         [Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Shall He Find Faith on the Earth?,” Ensign, Nov 2002, 82]

Faith does not exist by itself. Faith requires an object. It must be faith in something or someone.  In that respect, faith is like love. Love cannot exist without an object.

[Dallin H. Oaks, “‘Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ’,” Ensign, May 1994, 98]

We have been in Goteborg (pronounced ‘Yoot-a-bory’) here on the west coast of Sweden for a month now.  It is a beautiful city and a beautiful country.  Many things stand out in my mind that I especially like.

Many people of all ages walk and ride bikes — not for exercise but to get from place to place.  From the windows of the Center we can watch them go down the Vasagatan — the road in front of the center.  In the middle of the road is a special lane for walkers and bike riders.  It is wider than either of the other two lanes — which are shared by buses, trams and cars! — and is complete with lines and arrows for organized travel.  We have seen little people who still have the training wheels on their bikes,  college-age youth who zoom by on racing type bikes, workers who are wearing suits and ties, women in skirts (very short), and gray haired people slowly pedaling who knows where.  Walkers include families, youth on their way to the park, lovers on their way to one of the many night clubs in the area, shoppers with several bags of goodies, and grandparents trying to keep up with their grandchildren.  The walking and biking lanes are everywhere.  There is even one that goes from out by our apartment into town.  Many of the YSA ride in to the activities and to work.

Trams and buses go everywhere at all times and are usually filled to capacity, with many riders standing in the aisles.  the YSA say that if you miss your tram another will be by in 10 minutes.  It is very difficult to get a drivers license in Sweden and many of the youth do not have one.  Licenses are expensive and you have to be at least  18 to get one.  The trams wait for no one and the buses have special lanes on the larger roads.  We have both a tram stop and a bus stop near our apartment and there are always people waiting at both.  When you ask someone how to get someplace they answer “take sparvagn __ and get off at ______.”  (pronounced ‘sporvahn’ and meaning tram)

The place is GREEN.  Trees grow everywhere and the lawns are always green and every balcony on every apartments has flower pots full of blooming flowers (except ours!).  Wild flowers grow beside the roads.  The bushes grow like weeds.  When they mow they go around any flower growing in the lawn (even dandelions).  I have been told that it is against the law to water the lawn — and I’ve never seen a sprinkler.  It’s OK to water the flowers but not the bushes.

This is the cleanest big city I’ve ever seen.  Rarely have I seen a piece of litter.  Yards are free of clutter and full of bushes and flowers.  Garbage cans are inside little buildings or special rooms of big buildings.  There are even several construction sites in our neighborhood that are totally picked up all the time.  There are small litter bins on the roads that every one uses as they walk by.

Several things I’m not quite sure about:

Walkers and bikers are everywhere — in the road, beside the road.  You never know when one will decide to leave the sidewalk and cross the street.  Driving is a constant worry for bikers and walkers.

Grocery stores do not give you a bag to carry away your purchases.  You either have to bring several from home or pay for what you need.

The place is GREEN.  Because every other day it rains.  Not a quick cloud up and dump then go away rain but a be cloudy all day and alternately drizzle, pour buckets, drizzle, pour buckets all day or all night.  Then on the not rainy days it is hot with 98% humidity!

The round-abouts are huge and the cars whiz around them like race cars.  If you aren’t in the correct lane you go around again until you can work your way into the correct lane.  Dad and I sing “one more time around Picadilly circus”  quite often!

I’m sure as we live here longer we will find other things we love about the place, and I hope some of the things I’m not sure about will become things I like.