Faith
A young son of a prophet travelled into the forest to hunt beasts. As he did so, the words that his father spoke concerning eternal life sunk into his heart. His soul hungered, and he prayed all the day long, with his prayer continuing into the night. In answer to his mighty supplication for his soul, the Lord spoke to him: ‘Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed’ (Enos 1:5). This assurance filled his heart with peace, and the guilt for his previous transgressions was swept away.
Surely filled with gratitude at this remarkable event, he asked the Lord how this cleansing was done. The Lord responded: ‘Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole’ (Enos 1:8).
At the close of his brief record, Enos testified of the role of the gospel in his life: ‘I must soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the power of God that I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all my days, and have rejoiced in it above that of the world. And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer, for I know that in him I shall rest. And I shall rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father’ (Enos 1:26-27).
What began for Enos as a supplication to the Lord for his soul led to a faith-ennobling experience that defined the rest of his life. This path to Christ began for him, as it does with each of us, through faith in Christ. His journey on the path led to a lifelong conversion, and he ended his days with a complete assurance of his eternal rest with His Father. So it is with us: when we come to Christ, in faith, we enter the path that, if followed, will lead each of us toward eternal life.
If ye have faith, ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true
The ‘way’ to Christ is a lifelong application of the basic principles of the gospel: faith, repentance, baptism (and later the sacrament), and reception of the Holy Ghost. As faith in Christ is first principle in ‘the way’ to return to Him, it is essential that we have an accurate understanding of the nature of faith if we are to start the path that will lead us back to him. Modern language often describe a person’s overall religious views as their personal ‘faith,’ regardless of what the views are, such as those of the ‘Jewish faith.’ Additionally, the word ‘faith’ is often erroneously used in place of ‘hope,’ such as faith that if one studies for a test, he will do well on the test. The true understanding of the nature of faith is given by Alma to the Zoramites, when he stated 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’ (Alma 32:21). Faith is foremost a belief instead of a perfect knowledge. It is an assurance that the principles in which one relies on are true principles.
As such, while faith is an understanding or belief and may provide us with hope, this understanding and belief must first be grounded in correct principles. Consider the words of Nephi, as he prophesied concerning his descendants and their eventual return to the gospel in the latter days. He pleaded that they would ‘come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of His doctrine, that they may know how to come to Him and be saved’ (1 Ne 15:14, emphasis added). In other words, until their knowledge was based in correct of the doctrine of Christ, they could not have the faith necessary to come to Him. This is why, as part of his definition of faith, Alma stated that ‘if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true’ (Alma 32:20, emphasis added). Unless based on true principles of the gospel, faith is mere belief and cannot direct us on the path to eternal life. However, when rooted in the gospel of Christ, faith can lead us along the empowering path back to Him.
As we strive to build our faith in Christ, we should follow the counsel of King Benjamin, who pleaded with his people that they ‘believe in God; believe that He is, and that He created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that He has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which The Lord can comprehend. And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that He would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them’ (Mosiah 4:9-10).
Our faith must begin with a belief in the true nature of God, for only then can we understand our own divine nature and destiny. We must believe in the true attributes of God, that we might learn to trust Him. We must understand that our comprehension of the world is limited so that we may humbly come to Him. Finally, we must have a belief in the correct principles of the gospel, that we might be able to fully come to Him and partake of His goodness.
They who have faith in Him will cleave unto every good thing
Faith begins with a belief in correct principles of the gospel of Christ. However, if we limit our faith to simply a passive belief, we will never be able to come to Christ. Our eternal progression will stop, and we will never gain the knowledge, ability, and attributes that He wishes us to have. Though faith begins with belief, it is only by putting that belief into action that we truly can move forward on our path to Christ. In His words to Nephi, Christ helps us understand that He ‘will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have’(2 Ne 28:30). To ‘hearken’ is not only to hear the word but act upon that which has been given to us. However, as we move forward in action based on our faith, we have the assurance that we will grow knowledge and understanding of His gospel.
Consider the words of King Benjamin to his people, after they had received the word of God and experienced a mighty change of heart through their conversion: ‘I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body--I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world.'(Mosiah 4:6). The atonement of Jesus Christ is the means through which we can be saved and return to our Father in Heaven. For this people, the process of faith began with a belief in the true nature of God and the infinite atonement, but true faith was brought to pass by believing in the Lord, keeping His commandments, and continuing in faith throughout mortality. Indeed, faith is far more than simply belief: it is trust in the Lord to follow His words that we have received from His prophets. This trust leads men to act upon the word of God, having the assurance that an outpouring of the Spirit will result from keeping commandments which they have received. Indeed, 'they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing' (Moroni 7:28), and 'whosoever putteth his trust in Him the same shall be lifted up at the last day' (Mosiah 23:22).
Faith as a Power (ie why we must have faith)
While faith is indeed a knowledge of truth, through which we are led to action, a diligent study of faith demonstrates a third characteristic of faith: faith is power. Consider the explanation of faith provided by Moroni (Ether 12:12-18, emphasis added):
For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith. Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth. Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost. Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites. Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after. And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith. And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God.
These verses make it evident that these individuals were able to work miracles specifically due to their faith, for without faith they could do nothing. Faith begins as a knowledge of things as they really are, which leads men to become more like God by acting in accordance to this eternal understanding. God is bound by natural laws, so the miracles performed by God must be the result of natural law, for He cannot be disobedient to the laws of the universe. As such, miracles are performed by bringing into effect a higher law that supersedes the lower laws governing our mortal existence. This, then, enables the great works of the Lord to be brought to pass. With this in mind, the true nature, and ultimate purpose, of faith is clear: faith is the power through which God works. As God has a perfect knowledge of all things, or in other words has a perfect faith, He can work in His ways to bring to pass His works among men. These works, performed through the higher laws that govern nature, then appear as miracles according to our limited comprehension. Therefore, as we increase our knowledge of truth, we increase in an understanding of the power of God. As our faith increases, God can then use more of His power in our lives. Ultimately, for those individuals with a sure faith and ‘doubting nothing, whatsoever [they] shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him’ (Mormon 9:21).
Faith as a Process
The blessings which come from obtaining faith in God and in His gospel are immeasurable. Yet, throughout mortality we experience doubt, reservations, and longings for a greater understanding. How can we replace these moments of unbelief with greater faith, thus enabling us to increase in assurance, belief, and power? As with all commandments, the first step in gaining faith is that we must first humbly acknowledge ‘that man doth not comprehend all the things which God can comprehend’ (Mosiah 4:10). Consider the words of Mormon to his son Moroni: after noting his son’s faithfulness in the gospel, he judged that he had ‘faith in Christ because of [his] meekness (Moroni 7:39). It should come as no surprise, then, that before teaching the Zoramites about faith, Alma noted their great humility which had come from their circumstances. Our humility is essential to obtain faith, for only then will we ‘give [a] place, that a seed may be planted in [our] heart’ (Alma 32:28). After we have the humility to allow the word to enter our heart, we can then begin the process given by Alma to increase in faith. Here are his words:
‘And now as I said concerning faith—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.’ (v 21)
How often do our doubts and fears get in the way of what we believe to be true? Yet, this verse helps us to understand our incomplete understanding is part of the plan of God. We are to walk by faith, hoping for things we cannot see but are true. The fact that we have an imperfect knowledge of the things of God is by the design of god. Yet, we have the assurance that our knowledge of the mysteries of god can improve, if we act upon our faith. Alma continues:
‘But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words’ (v 27, emphasis added).
Though our knowledge of the things of God are limited, that does not mean that we should continue in that limited understanding. Instead, Alma provides to the people an ‘experiment’ of faith, through which knowledge of the truths of god can be learned in perfection. All that is required of us is a desire to improve in our understanding of the things of God. This desire will lead us, in humility, to allow a portion of God’s word to enter into our hearts. This portion of the word of God is then planted into our hearts, as a seed is planted into the earth:
‘Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts’ (v 28).
With modern technology, knowledge is abundant, immediate, and at our fingertips. Yet, Alma makes it clear in this verse that not all knowledge is beneficial. He teaches that only knowledge that is both true and good will result in a spiritual growth of that knowledge as we plant it in our hearts. Knowledge that is simply true cannot ennoble us, and knowledge that is false cannot enlighten us. Indeed, much of the ‘understanding’ of the world, scientific or social, is only partially true. Additionally, the world often interprets this partial understanding in a way contrary to the knowledge of God. Though other forms of knowledge may be important for our career or social developments, only the knowledge of God is essential to learn in this life. This knowledge is the ‘good seed’ must be planted in our hearts if we are to gain a hope of eternal life. We must humbly provide a space for these truths, not removing them through doubt or disbelief, but trusting in the light that God has seen fit to reveal to us. Only then will the light of the spirit help this knowledge to grow. We can have the promise that, while our understanding of the gospel may be a flicker of hope, that hope can begins to expand into the assuring flame of faith. Alma continues:
‘When you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea.’ (v 30)
We may wonder how we can recognize if what we have discovered is truth. Whether we are pounding upon social beliefs, some historical aspect of the church, or another point that may be causing doubt and confusion, the process of faith can be used to clarify confusion and help doubts to depart. When we plant a word in our hearts, if it is good we can feel it expand within our hearts. While worldly knowledge can cause our soul to shrink, godly knowledge causes us to expand. Feeling this, we can begin to know that these are truths from the Lord. Allowing this word a space in our lives returns the blessing of truth ten-fold, as the truths of the gospel enlighten our understanding of the purposes of God. Our faith in the word will then increase. Yet, says Alma, our belief in God ‘hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.’ Further gospel experimentation is necessary, bringing the light and truth of the gospel continually into our hearts. This experimentation continues as follows:
‘And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good. And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand.’ (v 34)
Though our minds may be clouded by doubt and our hearts enshrouded in confusion, we have the assurance that our belief in Christ can grow. As we give space for the word of God, humbly planting it in our hearts, it will begin to grow. We will feel the enlightenment of the spirit expanding our souls. As we continue to experiment upon the word, it will continue to grow within our hearts. In time, our knowledge of a principle of the gospel will become perfect. Our faith will be ‘dormant,’ because we will ‘see’ the truths of the gospel. With our spiritual, and not or natural eyes, we will be able to see the ‘mysteries of the gospel’ in perfection. As Alma testifies, we will be able to exclaim, ‘O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible’ (Alma 32:21-35).
Perhaps you have tried this process, only to find that planting the word did not immediately result in a greater outpouring of the spirit. If this is the case, do not be discouraged. Before faith is strengthened, trials will increase, temptations will abound, and your commitment to the word will be tested. Faith is a belief in things 'which are hoped for and not seen,’ and Moroni implores us to ‘dispute not because [we] see not, for [we will] receive no witness until after the trial of [our] faith' (Ether 12:6). If the faith you long for has not yet come, realize that God will often test our commitment to what we have received before giving us more. Though at first difficult to understand, we can come to realize that He provides is truths ‘line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more’ (2 Ne 28:30). In His great mercy, as we are accountable according to the light and knowledge given to us, He allows us to be converted to the word we have received before giving us more. After, for those who demonstrate their faithfulness in what they have received, 'then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them' (3 Ne 26:9).
A Story of Faith
The Book of Mormon is replete with examples of individuals gaining and demonstrating their faith. Yet, no experience is as complete in the process of faith as the story of the Brother of Jared. After the languages of the people were confounded at the Tower of Babel, the Brother of Jared prayed in faith that he and his family would maintain their language. The Lord led their families away from the city with the assurance of obtaining a land of promise for their descendants. Yet, on the way they stopped in a land by the sea shore, dwelling there for four years and instead of progressing in their journey. Finally, though, after repenting fully the family made preparations once more to cross the ocean to reach their ultimate destination. Here is the account:
Faith Begins with Obedience:
During his rebuking conversation with the brother of Jared, the Lord commanded him to move forward, to make barges and continue in their journey. As a wonderful example for us all, the record simply states ‘that the brother of Jared did go to work...according to the instructions of the Lord.’ (Ether 2:16).
After he had completed the barges, the brother of Jared prayed once more to the Lord. Though he had followed the instructions of the lord perfectly, the barges could not support a journey across the sea. Said he: ‘O Lord, in them there is no light; whither shall we steer? And also we shall perish, for in them we cannot breathe, save it is the air which is in them; therefore we shall perish.’ (v 19)
The lord provided the direction once more, telling them to make holes in the top and bottom and unstop them to receive air. Once more, the brother of Jared provided for us an example of simple obedience: ‘And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did so, according as the Lord had commanded’ (v 21).
Faith continues with planting the word in our hearts:
Though he followed the commands of the Lord perfectly, only one of the challenges faced by the group remained solved. There was still no light in these vessels, and the brother of Jared could not bear the thought of his family making the great journey ahead of them in darkness. He cried to the Lord once more, pleading that the lord would show him how to light the way during their journey. Instead of providing a direct answer, the Lord first described methods, such as fire and windows, that would not work. After the Lord posed this question to the brother of Jared: ‘what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?’ (v 25). Instead of providing the answer, the Lord posed a question that would require some work on the part of the brother of Jared in order to solve the challenge.
Faith as an Action
The next verse records the brother of Jared creating 16 small stones out of melted glass, taking them to the Lord in prayer. His hope was that the Lord would touch the stones, making them shine. Though the process of coming to this solution is not discussed in the text, it is clear that he put some degree of work into the solution. First, he had to create some device to raise the temperature of the sand above 2500 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, it is possible that he spent time reading scriptures to come to this method. A careful reading of the story of Noah suggests that the ark may have used a similar process: precious stones that provided light (see Genesis 6:16, footnote a). Whatever the method, he put in a great deal of work before bringing his 16 stones to the mountain to present to the Lord.
Completely believing in the power of God, he cried in prayer, ‘behold these things which I have molten out of the rock...therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea.’ (Ether 3:4) He had put forth the work and was now demonstrating his great faith in God. Unwavering, he declared, ‘Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men.’ (Ether 3:5) Having put forth the work necessary to demonstrate his faith, the brother of Jared was about to experience a powerful ‘swelling’ of his faith, until he knew with a perfect knowledge the things of God.
The fruits of faith are made evident
Though the brother of Jared asked that the Lord touch each of the stones with his finger, what happened next was beyond anything he possibly expected. For ‘when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord.’ So great was the faith of this man that the Lord gave him the great gift of seeing beyond the veil. For just a moment, he had the glorious vision of seeing a portion of the spirit body of the Lord in response to his prayer.
Of this experience, the Lord said to him: ‘Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger.’ Though a remarkable event in itself, the Lord desired to bless this this faithful man even more.
Faith grows to a perfect knowledge
In response to the question of the Lord of what he saw, the brother of Jared responded that he saw only the finger of the Lord. Then, in a bold declaration of his faith, he said: ‘Lord, show thyself unto me.’ Because of his remarkable faith, the Lord ‘showed himself unto him, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you. Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.’
Spiritual knowledge grows a little at a time. As long as continue to trust in the Lord, relying on what we do not see, our faith and knowledge of Him continually grows. Yet, Alma teaches that our knowledge can grow to the point that we no longer have faith, for our knowledge is perfect. So it was with this man, for ‘because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and he saw the finger of Jesus...wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him.’ The brother of Jared truly no longer needed faith, for he knew of the Lord with a perfect knowledge.
Yet, the Lord desired even great blessings of knowledge to be poured out in this man. For He ‘showed unto the brother of Jared all the inhabitants of the earth which had been, and also all that would be; and he withheld them not from his sight, even unto the ends of the earth.’
Faith brings about the power of The Lord
After the glorious vision of seeing the Lord and His creations, the brother of Jared finished the work the Lord had commanded of him. ‘For it came to pass after the Lord had prepared the stones which the brother of Jared had carried up into the mount, the brother of Jared came down out of the mount, and he did put forth the stones into the vessels which were prepared, one in each end thereof; and behold, they did give light unto the vessels.’ The faith of the brother of Jared had brought about the power of the Lord, ‘caus[ing] stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness.’ After their preparations for the journey were complete, the people set out on the barges, trusting themselves wholly to the power of God. Though the journey was long, in time they reached their destination, having kept all of the commandments of the Lord. ‘And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them.’
The faith of this great man truly brought about miracles in his life and the lives of those he loved. So it can be with us: as we bring the word into our hearts, acting upon the word in faith, we can obtain a more sure knowledge of the things of God. And, just as with the brother of Jared, the lord will work miracles in our lives to assist us in our journey back to Him.
Faith as a Precursor to Repentance
As faith is the means through which we bring knowledge of God into our lives, our nature will begin to change through this process. Faith fills us with light, and this illumination increases our desire to cast away the darkness in our lives. As a result, faith naturally creates in us a desire to change our lives and bring them more in line with the principles of God. Thus, experimenting upon the word brings forth 'faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon His holy name; that He would have mercy upon you' (Alma 34:17). Through repentance, we can correct the aspects of our lives that are not in harmony with the truth that has entered our hearts. This enables us to continue in the path toward coming to Christ and becoming as He is.