Lectures on Faith
There are a couple of points that I should like to make with regard to these beginning statements of the second lecture germane to "understanding" and empowerment.The Object of Faith
Lecture Second
1 Having shown in our previous lecture "faith itself—what it is," we shall proceed to show secondly the object on which it rests.
2 We here observe that God is the only supreme governor, and independent being, in whom all fulness and perfection dwells; who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient; without beginning of days or end of life; and that in him every good gift, and every good principle dwells; and that he is the Father of lights: In him the principle of faith dwells independently; and he is the object in whom the faith of all other rational and accountable beings centers, for life and salvation.
"In him the principle of faith dwells independently." 1.) God has faith in Himself.
2.) God expects us to develop faith in ouselves.3 Nephi 12:
48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
How can the "Heavens" be silent after our earnest prayers of supplication?
The key . . .Doctrine and Covenants 9:
7 Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
If one has prayed in faith that God will consecrate their performance unto themselves in that it may be for the welfare of their souls and there is no response from "Heaven," that is a clear indicator that one should proceed according to the dictates of their own best judgment. It, then, becomes a2 Nephi 32:
8 And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray.
9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.
"trial of faith," with the intent of teaching you to develop faith in yourself. The "affirmation" will occur "afterwards," for we are, also, told:
Ether 12: 6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.
God will honor such prayers. It is an invitation to action, rather than paralysis.1 Peter 1: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
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