Current Lesson No. Seven
To Increase Our Faith
Introduction – We have a dear friend who is attending the Addiction Recovery Program classes provided by the Church. The 2nd step in this program is: "Come to believe that the power of God can restore you to complete spiritual health." Our friend wrote and asked, “What does complete spiritual health mean to you”? I have pondered this question and my answer is that complete spiritual health means that our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is increasing, and in order to increase our faith in the Lord we must be willing to give heed to the words of his living prophet.
How do we increase our faith in Jesus Christ? – The most complete answer as to how we can increase our faith is given in the Lectures on Faith. These seven doctrinal lessons were prepared by the Prophet Joseph Smith and delivered to the School of the Prophets in Kirtland in the winter of 1834-35. In Lecture Three Joseph set forth three requirements necessary to increase in faith:
- “First, the idea that [God] actually exists.” For many people this is a self-evident truth which Alma well explains: “…all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator” (Alma 30:44).
- “Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes.” The Prophet taught that God has all knowledge and power and is perfect in every way.
- “Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life we are pursuing is according to [God’s] will.” Joseph further explained that the knowledge that our lives are pleasing to God only comes to those who are willing to sacrifice all earthly things. This is why dedicated full time missionary service is such a wonderful opportunity to increase in faith.
The Book of Mormon teaches the same requirements to increase in faith as are set forth in the Lectures on Faith – In Mosiah 3 King Benjamin first taught his people the doctrine of the atonement. Then in Mosiah 4 the people humbled themselves and asked to be forgiven of their sins because they knew that without “the atoning blood of Christ” they were “less than the dust of the earth” (Vs 1-2). They “received a remission of their sins…because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ…” (Vs 3).
King Benjamin now teaches them what is required for them to continue to grow in faith:
- “Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things both in heaven and in earth” (Vs 9);
- “Believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend” (Vs 9).
- “Believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them….calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come” (Vs 10, 11).
King Benjamin testifies that this is the way we grow in faith and knowledge of the Lord: “And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true” (Vs 12).
Giving heed to the living prophet is essential to know our lives are pleasing to God – For those who will not give heed to the prophet they will never know that “the course they pursue is well pleasing in [God’s] sight; for whatever may be their belief or their opinion, it is a matter of doubt and uncertainty in their mind; and where doubt and uncertainty are there faith is not, nor can it be. For doubt and faith do not exist in the same person at the same time; so that persons whose minds are under doubts and fears cannot have unshaken confidence; and where unshaken confidence is not there faith is weak; and where faith is weak the persons will not be able to contend against all the opposition, tribulations, and afflictions which they will have to encounter in order to be heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ Jesus; and they will grow weary in their minds, and the adversary will have power over them and destroy them” (Lectures on Faith 6:12).
Testimony – If we keep the Lord’s commandment to give heed to all the words of the living prophet our faith will increase, and we will experience the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise:
“Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all [our prophet’s] words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good and his name’s glory” (D&C 21:4-6).