Joseph Smith on Faith:
By way of definition, he taught
that faith is "the first principle in revealed religion, and the foundation of all
righteousness"; that it 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"; that it is "the
moving cause of all action in ... intelligent beings"; that it is also a principle of power; that it
"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."
(Lectures on Faith, pp. 1-8.)
(From Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Bruce R. McConkie)
Deity is the object upon which
faith unto life and salvation rests. Such faith is centered in Christ. "Three things are
necessary," the Prophet says, "in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise
faith in God unto life and salvation." These he named as (1) "The idea that he actually
exists"; (2) "A correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes"; and (3) "An actual
knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to his will."
(Lectures on Faith, p. 33.)
Thus in order to gain faith men
must gain a knowledge of God; they must know that he is a personal being in whose
image man is created, and that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost -- though one Godhead: one in
character, perfections, and attributes -- are separate and distinct personalities.
Then they must gain a correct
understanding of both the character and attributes of Deity. As listed by the Prophet,
his attributes are: Knowledge, Faith or Power, Justice, Judgment, Mercy, and Truth; and his
character is summarized under these headings: (1) "He was God before the world was
created, and the same God that he was after it was created"; (2) "He is merciful and
gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness, and ... he was so from everlasting, and will be so to
everlasting"; (3) "He changes not, neither is there variableness with him, and ... his course is one
eternal round"; (4) "He is a God of truth, and cannot lie"; (5) "He is no respecter of
persons"; and (6) "He is love." (Lectures on Faith, pp 39,
42-49.)
Relative to the perfections of God,
the record says: "What we mean by perfections is, the perfections which belong to all
the attributes of his nature." (Lectures on Faith, p. 50.) For instance, the perfection of God
consists in his possession of all knowledge, all power, and all truth. It follows that if a
person believes that God is progressing and gaining new knowledge, or that he does not yet
have all power, or that there are new truths for him to learn, that person cannot attain
perfect faith. Or, as the Prophet expressed it: "If it were not for the idea existing in the minds
of men that God had all knowledge it would be impossible for them to exercise faith in
him." (Lectures on Faith, p. 44.)
Finally, in obtaining or increasing
faith, the great governing principle is personal righteousness. A man's faith cannot
exceed his righteousness and obedience. The greater the adherence to the truth, the greater
is the faith of an individual. "An actual knowledge to any person, that the course of life
which he pursues is according to the will of God, is essentially necessary to enable him to have
that confidence in God without which no person can obtain eternal life." (Lectures on
Faith, p. 57.)
Such then is the course by which
the apostles of old, or the saints in any age, have power to gain faith, to increase
such faith as they may have, and to gain favor with the Lord. And since faith is a principle of
power, when men do gain it, they have power to perform miracles, heal the sick, raise the
dead, move mountains, or command a sycamore tree to be plucked up and planted in the sea.
Signs, miracles, and gifts are the effects which flow from faith; where these are, there is
faith; where these are not, there is no faith. "When faith comes," the
Prophet said, "it brings its train of attendants with it -- apostles, prophets, evangelists,
pastors, teachers, gifts, wisdom, knowledge, miracles, healings, tongues, interpretation
of tongues, etc. All these appear when faith appears on the earth, and disappear when it
disappears from the earth; for these are the effects of faith, and always have, and always will,
attend it. For where faith is, there will the knowledge of God be also, with all things which
pertain thereto -- revelations, visions, and dreams, as well as every necessary thing, in order
that the possessors of faith may be perfected, and obtain salvation." (Lectures on Faith, pp. 70-71; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 242-248.)
