Faith: The First Principle of the Gospel
Faith is more than belief—it is a principle of action, power, and trust in Jesus Christ that underpins every aspect of the gospel.
Faith is the foundation of our spiritual progression and a required attribute of exalted beings. This article explores the essence of faith, why it is vital, and how we can cultivate and exercise it in our lives.
What Is Faith?
The scriptures define faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1; Alma 32:21). It is confidence in Jesus Christ and His promises, motivating us to act even when outcomes are not yet visible. Faith bridges the gap between the unseen and the true, transforming belief into action.
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that faith is the moving cause of all action—both temporal and spiritual (Lectures on Faith 1:9–13). Without faith, our lives would lack purpose and motion, as it is our hope for unseen things that inspires us to act. Faith is not static; it is alive, prompting us to obey, sacrifice, and endure.
Faith in Jesus Christ
Faith must be centered on Jesus Christ to lead to salvation. It involves complete reliance on His infinite love, wisdom, and power (2 Nephi 9:23). Having faith in Him means trusting that He knows all things, even when we do not. This includes believing in His Atonement, His teachings, and His ability to guide and sustain us through trials.
Through faith in Christ, we receive the strength to overcome challenges, repent of our sins, and align our lives with God’s will. “Look unto him in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36) exemplifies the peace and courage that come through faith in Him.
Faith as Action and Power
Faith is inherently tied to works. As James stated, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17–20). True faith moves its possessor to act—whether that action involves parting the Red Sea (Hebrews 11:29), building an ark (Hebrews 11:7), or trusting God in the wilderness as the pioneers did. Faith is the principle by which we draw upon divine power, enabling us to overcome physical, emotional, and spiritual obstacles.
Why Is Faith Important?
Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God and the mechanism through which we access His grace and blessings. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Faith helps us:
- Act in accordance with God’s will: As Joseph Smith taught, true faith is based on correct knowledge of God’s character, perfections, and attributes (Lectures on Faith 3:2–5). This understanding assures us that His commandments are for our good and empowers us to follow them.
- Receive divine strength: Faith enables miracles, spiritual gifts, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost (Moroni 7:33–39). It transforms adversity into an opportunity for growth.
- Progress eternally: Faith leads to hope and charity, forming the foundation for exaltation. It opens the door to revelation and personal knowledge of God.
How to Cultivate Faith
Faith, though a gift from God, requires effort to grow and flourish. Like a muscle, it strengthens with use:
- Act on what you believe: Alma’s analogy of planting a seed (Alma 32:27–43) teaches that faith grows as we act on our belief. As we see the fruits of our obedience, our confidence in God deepens.
- Pray and seek guidance: Faith grows through sincere prayer, where we draw closer to God and open our hearts to His will.
- Study the scriptures: The word of God nourishes our faith, enlarging our souls and enlightening our understanding (Alma 32:28).
- Obey the commandments: Faith increases as we keep covenants and live righteously, aligning our lives with God’s will.
- Remember miracles: Reflecting on how God has guided and blessed us in the past can strengthen our faith for future challenges.
Faith for the Exalted
Faith is not limited to mortality. Even exalted beings, possessing all knowledge and power, exercise faith. Though they know all things past, present, and future, their divine actions still depend on trust in eternal principles and unseen outcomes. Faith will forever be a principle of action and power, enabling the ongoing work of creation and progression.
Jesus Christ demonstrated perfect faith throughout His mortal ministry and in His eternal role as the Savior. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He submitted Himself entirely to the Father’s will, saying, “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).
In mortality, Christ’s faith was evident when He performed miracles. He said to the Father before raising Lazarus, “I knew that thou hearest me always” (John 11:42). Similarly, God exercises faith as He creates worlds without end (Moses 1:33).
Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac foreshadows the Father’s own act of perfect faith in sending His Only Begotten Son into the world. As we exercise faith in mortality, we emulate these divine examples, learning to trust in unseen outcomes, align with God’s purposes, and act in accordance with eternal principles.
Conclusion
Faith in Jesus Christ is not merely a belief—it is the dynamic force that moves us toward salvation and eternal life. It inspires us to act, strengthens us to endure, and opens the door to miracles and divine grace. As we cultivate our faith, we draw closer to our Savior and prepare ourselves for the eternal progression that lies ahead. For it is our faith that is an anchor to the souls of men so that they will always abound in good works (Ether 12:4).
May we each reflect on our faith and take steps to strengthen it daily, that it may anchor us in every trial and guide us toward eternal life. Let us, like the prophets of old, act with faith to overcome challenges, build Zion, and bring to pass the purposes of God. For faith, truly, is ‘the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen’ (Hebrews 11:1).