1. Faith, a Power That Chapter 13
Centers in Christ
Introduction B. Faith comes from a knowledge of God and His
teachings.
To succeed in this life and to prepare 1. Faith begins by our hearing the word of God (see
successfully for eternal life, we need firm faith in Romans 10:17).
the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is the first principle of 2. The holy scriptures confirm and strengthen our
the gospel and the foundation of all other faith (see Helaman 15:7–8; 2 Nephi 32:3; Alma
principles. 30:43–44).
3. Our faith is increased by hearing and obeying the
Doctrinal Outline word of God (see Alma 32:26–43).
C. Faith in Jesus Christ always produces good fruits.
A. Faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of the
1. Faith is accompanied by good works (see James
gospel.
2:14, 17–26; Luke 3:8).
1. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle
2. Through faith we may draw upon the power of
of the gospel (see Articles of Faith 1:4; D&C 68:25).
God (see Moroni 7:33; D&C 45:8).
2. Faith is the assurance we have of that which we
3. Miracles are wrought by faith (see Mark 16:16–18;
cannot see but which is true (see JST, Hebrews
Moroni 7:37; 2 Nephi 26:13; D&C 35:8–11; Ether
11:1; Alma 32:21; Ether 12:6).
12:12–22; D&C 46:19–21).
3. Faith is a gift of God through the Holy Ghost (see
4. Faith in Jesus Christ is a shield that protects us
1 Corinthians 12:8–9; Ephesians 2:8; Moroni
from the things of the world and the temptations
10:8–11).
of the devil (see Alma 37:33; D&C 27:17;
4. By exercising faith in Christ, we can receive truth Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 5:4).
and knowledge through the power of the Holy
5. God can do all things for us if we exercise faith in
Ghost (see Moroni 10:4–5; Ether 4:7).
the Savior (see 1 Nephi 7:12; Hebrews 11:4–40).
5. Faith in Christ is required for salvation and
6. Asking God with faith brings answers to prayer
eternal life (see 2 Nephi 31:19–21; 9:23; Moroni
(see James 1:5–6; Joseph Smith—History 1:11–19;
7:33–34, 38; Mosiah 3:9, 17; D&C 33:12).
Mosiah 27:14; Moroni 10:4–5).
6. Faith is a principle of power (see Matthew
7. Productive membership in the Church of Jesus
17:19–21; Ether 12:30; Alma 14:26–28).
Christ is dependent upon faith (see Moroni 7:39;
7. It is impossible to please God without faith (see D&C 12:6–8; 124:55).
Hebrews 11:6; D&C 63:8–11).
Supporting Statements
A. Faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of the
gospel.
■ “The first principle of the gospel is faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ; and of course we are not going
to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ without
having faith in his Father. Then if we have faith in
God the Father and the Son and are guided, as we
ought to be, by the Holy Ghost, we will have faith
in the servants of the Lord through whom he has
spoken” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of
Salvation, 2:303).
■ “Faith unto life and salvation centers in Christ.
There is no salvation in that general principle of
faith alone, that moving cause of action, which
causes the farmer to plant his seed with the unseen
hope that it will bear grain. But there is faith unto
salvation when Christ is the focal point in which
the unseen hope centers. Accordingly the Prophet
explained ‘that three things are necessary in order
that any rational and intelligent being may exercise
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2. Chapter 13
faith in God unto life and salvation.’ These he by its dictates. Although faith is called the first
named as: 1. ‘The idea that he actually exists’; principle of the Gospel of Christ, though it be in
2. ‘A correct idea of his character, perfections, and fact the foundation of religious life, yet even faith
attributes’; and 3. ‘An actual knowledge that the is preceded by sincerity of disposition and humility
course of life which he is pursuing is according to of soul, whereby the word of God may make an
his will.’” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, impression upon the heart. No compulsion is used
262). in bringing men to a knowledge of God; yet, as fast
■ “Faith is a gift of God, and faith comes to all as we open our hearts to the influences of
of us who serve God and supplicate Him for the righteousness, the faith that leads to life eternal will
guidance of His Spirit. There is no danger of any be given us of our Father” (James E. Talmage, The
man or woman losing his or her faith in this Articles of Faith, 106–7).
Church if he or she is humble and prayerful and B. Faith comes from a knowledge of God and His
obedient to duty. I have never known of such an teachings.
individual losing his faith. By doing our duty faith ■ “If we want to have a living, abiding faith, we
increases until it becomes perfect knowledge” must be active in the performance of every duty
(Heber J. Grant, Gospel Standards, 7–8). as members of this Church” (Smith, Doctrines of
■ “Inasmuch as salvation is attainable only
Salvation, 2:311).
through the mediation and atonement of Christ, ■ “Faith comes by hearing the word of God,
and since this is made applicable to individual through the testimony of the servants of God;
sin in the measure of obedience to the laws of that testimony is always attended by the Spirit
righteousness, faith in Jesus Christ is indispensable of prophecy and revelation” (Joseph Smith,
to salvation. But no one can effectively believe in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 148).
Jesus Christ and at the same time doubt the C. Faith in Jesus Christ always produces good fruits.
existence of either the Father or the Holy Ghost;
■ “Because faith is wanting, the fruits are. No
therefore faith in the entire Godhead is essential
man since the world was had faith without having
to salvation. Paul declares that without faith it is
something along with it. The ancients quenched the
impossible to please God, ‘for he that cometh to
violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword,
God must believe that he is, and that he is a
women received their dead, etc. By faith the worlds
rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ The
were made. A man who has none of the gifts has no
scriptures abound in assurances of salvation to
faith; and he deceives himself, if he supposes he
those who exercise faith in God, and obey the
has. Faith has been wanting, not only among the
requirements which that faith makes plain. . . .
heathen, but in professed Christendom also, so
“Though within the reach of all who diligently
that tongues, healings, prophecy, and prophets and
strive to gain it, faith is nevertheless a divine gift.
apostles, and all the gifts and blessings have been
As is fitting for so priceless a pearl, it is given to
wanting” (Smith, Teachings, 270).
those only who show by their sincerity that they
■ “Faith implies such confidence and conviction
are worthy of it, and who give promise of abiding
as will impel to action. . . . Belief is in a sense
passive, an agreement or acceptance only; faith is
active and positive, embracing such reliance and
confidence as will lead to works. Faith in Christ
comprises belief in Him, combined with trust in
Him. One cannot have faith without belief; yet he
may believe and still lack faith. Faith is vivified,
vitalized, living belief. . . .
“. . . This principle becomes therefore the
impelling force by which men struggle for
excellence, ofttimes enduring vicissitudes and
suffering that they may achieve their purposes.
Faith is the secret of ambition, the soul of heroism,
the motive power of effort” (Talmage, Articles of
Faith, 96–97, 103).
■ “Unless a man will adhere to the doctrine and
walk in faith, accepting the truth and observing
the commandments as they have been given, it
will be impossible for him to receive eternal life,
no matter how much he may confess with his lips
that Jesus is the Christ, or believe that his Father
sent him into the world for the redemption of
man. So James is right when he says the devils
‘believe and tremble,’ but they do not repent. So
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3. Chapter 13
it is necessary, not merely that we believe, but that clothes or other ordinary protective devices were
we repent, and in faith perform good works until in the fiery furnace to protect the three Hebrews
the end; and then shall we receive the reward of from death; there were no leather nor metal
the faithful and a place in the celestial kingdom muzzles for the mouths of the lions when Daniel
of God” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:311). was locked in the den.
■ “Miracles, signs, the gifts of the Spirit, the “Remember that there were no clouds in the
knowledge of God and godliness, and every sky nor any hydrometer in his hand when Elijah
conceivable good thing—all these are the effects of promised an immediate break in the long extended
faith; all of these come because faith has become drouth; though Joshua may have witnessed the
the ruling force in the lives of the saints. miracle of the Red Sea, yet how could he by mortal
Conversely, where these things are not, faith is means perceive that the flooding Jordan would
not” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 264). back up for the exact time needed for the crossing,
■ “It takes faith—unseeing faith—for young and then flow on its way to the Dead Sea.
people to proceed immediately with their family “Remember that there were no clouds in the
responsibilities in the face of financial uncertainties. sky, no evidence of rain, and no precedent for the
It takes faith for the young woman to bear her deluge when Noah builded the ark according to
family instead of accepting employment, especially commandment. There was no ram in the thicket
when schooling for the young husband is to be when Isaac and his father left for Moriah for the
finished. It takes faith to observe the Sabbath when sacrifice. Remember there were no towns and
‘time and a half’ can be had working, when sales cities, no farms and gardens, no homes and
can be made, when merchandise can be sold. It storehouses, no blossoming desert in Utah when
takes a great faith to pay tithes when funds are the persecuted pioneers crossed the plains. And
scarce and demands are great. It takes faith to fast remember that there were no heavenly beings in
and have family prayers and to observe the Word Palmyra, on the Susquehanna or on Cumorah
of Wisdom. It takes faith to do ward teaching, stake when the soul-hungry Joseph slipped quietly into
missionary work, and other service, when sacrifice the Grove, knelt in prayer on the river bank, and
is required. It takes faith to fill foreign missions. But climbed the slopes of the sacred hill.
know this—that all these are of the planting, while “But know this: that undaunted faith can stop
faithful devout families, spiritual security, peace, the mouths of lions, make ineffective the fiery
and eternal life are the harvests. flames, make dry corridors through beds of rivers
“Remember that Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and and seas. Unwavering faith can protect against
others could not see clearly the end from the deluge, terminate drouths, heal the sick, and bring
beginning. They also walked by faith and without heavenly manifestations. Indomitable faith can
sight. Remember again that no gates were open; help us live the commandments and thereby bring
Laban was not drunk; and no earthly hope was blessings unnumbered with peace, perfection, and
justified at the moment Nephi exercised his faith exaltation in the kingdom of God” (Spencer W.
and set out finally to get the plates. No asbestos Kimball, in Conference Report, Oct. 1952, 50–51).
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