Faith

Although much could be said about faith¹, we focus on the overarching purpose of faith: obtaining eternal life. We learn from Joseph that “faith 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.” (Lectures on Faith 1:9.) From Paul we learn that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17.) If we put these two statements together, we see that faith is believing in God's word enough to act on it. It requires, first, the receipt of God’s word, and second, action. As an example, a person exercises faith in baptism by hearing God's instruction about baptism, then repenting and being baptized, believing he will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost as promised.

Faith, then, is not mere belief, nor can it be exercised on commandments of men that are incorrectly assumed or purported to be God’s word. When men understand faith as mere belief, or when they attempt to exercise it on commandments of men, they engage in vain religion; their efforts will never bring them closer to God. At best, they distract them from those actions that would bring about salvation. At worst, they move away from God through beliefs and actions that are antithetical to the gospel of Christ.