Once more, Moroni departs from Ether’s record to record his
observations and teachings. He defines faith similar to the definition found in
Hebrews. “Now faith is the substance [GR assurance] of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
Hope is an essential part of faith.
“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not
hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
“But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with
patience wait for it” (Hebrews 8:24-25).
He tells us to “dispute not because ye see not, for ye
receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.”
“Prophets on the American hemisphere similarly taught the
fundamental importance of faith. Moroni said it included things “hoped for and
not seen” and then warned his skeptics, “Dispute not because ye see not, for ye
receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6). Then he
spoke of leaders whose faith preceded their miraculous deeds, including Alma,
Amulek, Nephi, Lehi, Ammon, the brother of Jared, and the three who were promised
that they should not taste of death (see Ether 12:13–20).”[1]
Alma2 gave us the definitive definition of faith.
“And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of
things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which
are true” (Alma 32:21).
Scriptures make it clear our faith will be tried. After
recording the Savior’s teachings to the Nephites, Mormon broke into his
commentary.
“And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of
the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent
that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to
the words which Jesus hath spoken.
“And when they shall have received this, which is expedient
that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that
they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest
unto them.
“And if it so be that they will not believe these things,
then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.
“Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven
upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith
of my people” (3 Nephi 26:9-11).
Faith is essential. Christ appeared to the Nephites only “after they had faith in him.”
Peter taught this principle.
“Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
“Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of
God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead” (Acts
10:40-41).
Christ showed himself to the world because of the faith of
men. He glorified the Father “and prepared a way that thereby others might be
partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which
they have not seen” (Ether 12:8).
If we have faith and hope, we will “be partakers of the gift”
(Ether 12:9).
Those who were called “of old,” were called through their
faith.
“And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son,
in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward
to his Son for redemption.
“And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being
called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the
foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in
the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen
good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling,
yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a
preparatory redemption for such.
“And thus they have been called to this holy calling on
account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account
of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had
not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren” (Alma
13:2-4).
“Faith is both a principle of action and of power. It “is
not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if [we] have faith [we]
hope for things which are not seen, which are true.” It is an assurance of the
Spirit gained through our learning that moves us to act to follow the example
of the Savior and prayerfully keep His commandments, even through times of
sacrifice and trial. Faith brings us the power of the Lord, which—among other
things—is manifested by a hope of good things to come, miracles that confirm
our faith, and divine protection in spiritual and temporal matters.”[2]
[1] “With
God Nothing Shall Be Impossible,” Russell M. Nelson, April 1988 General
Conference.
[2] By
Faith All Things Are Fulfilled, Elder Marcus B. Nash, October 2012 General
Conference.
No comments:
Post a Comment