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Saturday, February 17, 2007

Lectured and outlined by Jose

Faith

 

"The first principle of the Gospel"

Faith in Jesus Christ and in Christ only, is the first principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1)

substance = assurance

evidence = proof

Faith in Christ means to believe in Him and trust Him. Even more meaningful, it is to know that He is the only begotten Son of God. It is also a principle of action that needs to be strengthened daily, as it requires personal efforts to exercise it.

Substance (assurance) Vs. Evidence (proof)

Faith is awakened in two ways, first by hearing the word of God (Rom 10:17), and secondly by the teachings of the Holy Ghost (John 14:26)

For example: the life and mission of Christ is taught in most cases, by tradition or reading of scriptures. That form of teaching is evidence or proof not seen, but learned of. How it turns into a conviction is the substance or assurance that comes through the Holy Ghost testifying that in reality Christ lived, died, resurrected on the third day, and now stands at the right hand of the Father as the Savior and Redeemer of mankind, and that He is the One whom God sent (John 17:3)

A principle of action

True faith in Christ is to believe and to act. Faith in Jesus Christ inspires people to act in His behalf, to follow His example, and to do His work. Failure to act on the teachings and commandments of God represent an absence of faith. Christ taught: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Mat 7:21) Later, James wrote: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works." (James 2:17-18)

Righteousness strengthens faith while wickedness diminishes faith. Failure to the commandments of God brings a loss of the Spirit of the Lord and a loss of faith. "Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are found unclean before the judgment-seat of God; and no unclean thing can dwell with God; wherefore, ye must be cast off forever." (BOM 1 Nephi 10:21)

Faith is Hope

Faith and hope work together. True faith is to have hope in Christ and in His teachings. Hope is eternal, and is a reason to endure to the end. Faith in Christ prompts to repentence, and gives hope to obtain eternal life. "And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope. And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise. Wherefore, if a man have faith must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope." (BOM Moroni 7:40-42)

Faith and Testimony

Faith exercise brings many blessings in life. One of those blessings is to obtain a testimony of Christ. "And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore dispel not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (BOM Ether 12:6) Having a testimony of Christ is to accept him as the savior. When faith is exercised through trials and tribulations, one can feel peace and comfort, and often a solution to problems in life. More important, we can feel closer to God. "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (BOM Ether 12:27)

Other scriptures on faith

Book of Morman-Faith comparison

Alma 32: 26-36

Now, as I said concerning faith-that it was not a perfect knowledge-even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge.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 yea 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.
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 brests; and 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; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge. But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness. Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, thereforeit is cast away. 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.

"Remember to BYOB"