The Book of Mormon doctrine of faith

Here is a definition of faith, based on my own observation and study and upon instructions given by Elder David A. Bednar ("Seek Learning by Faith," Ensign, Sep 2007, pp. 60-68 and a satellite broadcast address to Church Educational System educators given on February 3, 2006.):

"Faith is following a course of action that is prompted by a beginning assurance of what is right and true, and afterwards confirmed by the Spirit, resulting in an increased ability to exercise faith."

Or, following the time sequence of this process, FIRST–a person gains a beginning assurance (or a desire, or hope, or prompting) regarding the correctness of some principle or doctrine SECOND–the person acts upon this initial assurance THIRD–the Holy Spirit confirms the correctness of the action.

The Book of Mormon has much to say about faith. Let’s look at three major passages in the Book of Mormon that teach about faith, to see how the elements of the above definition are present.

Alma 32:27-43
1. GAIN A BEGINNING ASSURANCE: v.27 “Experiment upon my words... exercise a particle of faith... even if ye can no more than desire to believe.”
2. TAKE ACTION: v. 28 “give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart”; v.37 “nourish it with great care” v. 41 “nourish the tree...by your faith, with great diligence, and with patience”; v.42 “because of your diligence and your faith and your patience... in nourishing it.”
3. RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION: v.28 “if you do not cast it out by your unbelief; that you resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breast... it beginneth of enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding; yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.” v. 35-36 “ ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand...O then, is this not real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light, and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernable; therefore ye must know that it is good...”

Ether 12:3-31
1. GAIN A BEGINNING ASSURANCE: v. 3 “believe in God...”; v. 6 “faith is things which are hoped for and not seen...”
2. TAKE ACTION: v. 3 “believe in God UNTO REPENTENCE...[my caps]” v. 4 “sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works...” v. 31 “after they had faith and did speak in thy name...”
3. RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION: v. 4 “ might with surety hope for a better world v.6 ...ye receive no witness until after the trial of our faith.” v. 31 “after they had faith... thou didst show thyself unto them in great power.”

Moroni 7:
1. GAIN A BEGINNING ASSURANCE: v. 16 “Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil..” v. 25 “by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in him...v. 26 ”Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that thou shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.”
2. TAKE ACTION: v. 28 “they who have faith in him, shall cleave unto every good thing...” v.33 “if ye have faith in me, ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient...” v.34 “Repent all ye ends of the earth...”
3. RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION: v.15-16 “ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.”

Summarizing, the Book of Mormon doctrine of faith is not passive, or a mere intellectual assent or understanding. Faith is dynamic and involves choice and action. It also exist in interaction with the influence of the Holy Ghost, both in giving an initial desire or assurance that leads to action and in providing confirmation that the action was correct and the will of God.
[Picture: By faith "The Brother of Jared Sees the Finger of the Lord", by Friberg]