Joseph Smith - The Lectures on Faith

Question .—What is theology?

Answer .—It is that revealed science which treats of the being and attributes of God—his relations to us—the dispensations of his providence—his will With respect to our actions—and his purposes with respect to our end. (Buck's Theological Dictionary, page 582).

Q. What is the first principle in this revealed science?

A. Faith. (I. ¶ 1.)

Q. Why is faith the first principle in this revealed science?

A. Because it is the foundation of all righteousness. Heb 11:6. without faith it is impossible to please God. 1st John, 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness, is righteous, even as he (God) is righteous. (I. ¶ 1.)

Q. What arrangement should be followed in presenting the subject of faith?

A. First, it should be shown what faith is. (I. ¶ 3.) Secondly, the object upon which it rests. (I. ¶ 4.)

And, thirdly, the effects which flow from it. (I. ¶ 5.)

Q. What is faith?

A. It is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1); that is, it is the assurance we have of the existence of unseen things. And being the assurance which we have of the existence of unseen things, must be the principle of action in all intelligent beings. Heb. 11:3 Through faith we understand the worlds were framed by the word of God. (I. ¶ 8,9.)

Q. How do you prove that faith is the principle of action in all intelligent beings?

A. First, by duly considering the operations of my own mind; and, secondly, by the direct declaration of Scripture—Heb. 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Heb. 11:8. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go into a place which he should afterwards receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and he went out not knowing whither he went. Heb. 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. Heb 11:27 By faith Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. (I. ¶ 10,11.)

Q. Is not faith the principle of action in spiritual things as well as in temporal?

A. It is.

Q. How do you prove it?

A. Heb. 11:6 without faith it is impossible to please God. Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Rom. 4:16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all—(I. ¶ 12,13.)

Q. Is faith anything else beside the principle of action?

A. It is.

Q. What is it?

A. It is the principle of power also. (I. ¶ 13.)

Q. How do you prove it?

A. First, it is the principle of power in the Deity as well as in man. Heb. 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.—(I. ¶ 14,15,16) Secondly, it is the principle of power in man also. Book of Mormon, page 264. Alma and Amulek are delivered from prison. Do. page 421. Nephi and Lehi, with the Lamanites, are immersed with the Spirit. Do. page 565. The mountain Zerin, by the faith of the brother of Jared, is removed. Josh. 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand you still upon Gibeon, and you Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. Josh. 10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves of their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. Mat. 17:19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? Mat. 17:20. And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief; for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.—Heb. 11:32 And what shall I say more? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah, of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets. Heb 11:34 who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance: that they might obtain a better resurrection. (I. ¶ 16,17,18,19,20,21,22.)

Q. How would you define faith in its most unlimited sense?

A. It is the first great governing principle which has power, dominion, and authority over all things. (I. ¶ 24.)

Q. How do you convey to the understanding more clearly that faith is the first great governing principle which has power, dominion, and authority over all things?

A. 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; and without it there is no power, and without power there could be no creation, nor existence! (I. ¶ 24.)

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