Conference tecrus::mormonism

101.0. "Faith - the FIRST principle!" by ALLVAX::MCKINNEY (CAD/CAM Squid) Thu Apr 11 1991 18:44

    Faith is a GREAT topic...it is the first principle of the gospel!
    
    There is a difference between faith and belief.  If I believe that the
    Book of Mormon is true, that does not necessarily mean I will read it
    or ponder the wonderous messages therein; it will lay on my shelf, and
    I may carry it to church occassionally; I may even open it once in a
    while.  However, if I have faith that the Book of Mormon is true, I will 
    read it, ponder its' messages, and pray to understand the doctrines more 
    fully.
    
    Joseph Smith said that "faith is the moving cause of action in all
    intelligent being" {or something like that, from lectures on faith}.
    James tells us that "faith without works is dead, being alone" {James
    chapter 2:something}.
    
    Alma, in chapter 32 likens faith to a seed.  If I have faith, I will DO
    something about it, and I will gain the blessing of feeling that what I
    have faith in is true.  
    
    Christ likened faith to a grain of mustard seed (if you have seen one,
    it is very small).  So even if we have only a particle of faith, and
    only desire to believe (as Alma says), if we will DO something, that
    faith will grow, until it beomes a great tree, and birds lodge in the
    branches (using the mustard seed analogy again).
    
    I believe that everyone has faith in some things, which will lead them to
    investigate it vigorously, and as they feel the swelling (Alma), or burning
    (D&C) in the bosom that it is true, their faith will be strengthened.  If 
    they do not feel good feelings, but have a stupor of thought (D&C 9:7-9), 
    then they will know that it is not a good seed (Alma 32 again).
    
    I also believe that many people only believe in things, and this leads
    to a half-hearted effort of investigation, and then they may cast away
    a good seed, becuase there was not really faith, which leads to active
    investigation, and work.  They will say "I have not read the Book of
    Mormon, but I know it isn't true."  Remember that if you say to me you
    have faith, show me your works to prove it (James chapter 2 again).
    
    We also learn from the scriptures that our faith will be tested, "doubt
    not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until AFTER the trial
    of your faith", (Ether 12:6); that by faith, many great miracles were 
    performed by the ancients, (Hebrews 11:all); and that "if ye have all
    faith so that ye could remove mountains, and have not charity, it
    profiteth you nothing." (I Corrinthians 13:all).  
    
    I appologize for rammbling... :-%
    
    Jim                                         

    
    There is no hopeless situations. There are only people who have grown
    hopeless about them.
    
    
    
                            Ray