Foundations of Faith
1.
The Idea that God Actually Exists
·
God’s Creations Testify of Him
(a)
The Lord has blessed us with sufficient
perception to recognize in the creations a witness that He lives, so that
anyone could have faith and believe on His name
(b)
All over the world, men and women believe in
some kind of superior being. They do not know who he is or what he is, but at
least they believe in him
·
Others Testify of God
(a)
Joseph Smith’s testimony has become a basis of
faith for millions of people throughout the world
(b)
Adam saw God. He walked and talked with Him and
heard His voice.
(c)
The Lord has sent angels to testify of Him so
that men could behold with their eyes and be sure witnesses that God does live
(d)
Take some time to try to answer the question “Who
is God” or “What is God to me?” As you think about those kinds of things, you
will come to a better understanding of who God is and how much you may or may
not know about Him. It is a very different thing to say you know Jesus is the
Christ and to really KNOW Jesus.
2.
A Correct Idea of God’s Character, Perfections,
and Attributes
·
Know God through Prayer
(a)
One of the best ways to come to know the
Lord---not just saying your prayers but really praying, conversing with the
Lord. If you do this, you can know the Lord, because He will reveal knowledge
of His ways.
·
Know God through the Scriptures
(b)
A powerful way to learn to know the Lord and
develop faith in Him; it needs to be intense, continual, and prayerful
·
Know God through Intense Observation
(c)
Brigham Young once said that revelations come
from many sources: the Lord, the Lord’s servants, other men, the Lord’s
creations, and many other things. Revelations are not confined to any one
person.
(d)
The Lord’s revelations concerning the government
of His Church are confined to the leaders of the Church, but other revelations
are wide open for anyone to receive.
(e)
The light of Christ is in everyone and
everything, and if you keenly observe God’s creations, you will learn about Him
·
Characteristics of God
(a)
That He was God before the world was created,
and the same God that He was after it was created
(b)
That He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger,
abundant in goodness, and that He was so from everlasting, and will be to
everlasting
(c)
That He changes not, neither is there
variableness with Him; but that He is the same from everlasting to everlasting,
being the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that His course is one
eternal round, without variation
(d)
That He is a God of truth and cannot lie
(e)
That He is no respecter of persons: but in every
nation He that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of Him
(f)
That He is love
·
Attributes and Perfections of God
(a)
Knowledge, Faith or Power, Justice, Judgment,
Mercy, and Truth
(b)
Some people think that the Lord does not operate
by faith because He has all knowledge. In a sense this is true. However, in
this instance, faith is called power. If God ceased to have faith, He would
cease to have power.
(c)
The scriptures teach us that not only will we
see God as He is and know that we are physically in His image, but they also
teach that if we can continue perfecting and sanctifying ourselves, we can
become as He is spiritually
3.
Knowledge that our Course of Life is According
to God’s Will
·
Redouble Your Faith in the Lord when Adversity
Comes
(a)
When the Lord sees that you are willing to serve
Him at any price, at any cost, or under any circumstance, then you will have
sufficient faith to lay hold upon eternal life, and not until you do that
·
Know the Timetable of the Lord
(b)
Do you still believe when you are being beaten
by life? Do you say to the Lord, “I do not know how I am going to do it,
Father, but with thy help I am still going to accomplish thy will.” Or, do you
follow the example of Laman and Lemuel who doubted, murmured, feared, and gave
up?
(c)
There are many things that are the will of the
Lord but whose timetables are not known to man. Keep that in mind when you are
trying to accomplish the Lord’s will.
(d)
The Lord reveals His will generally to allow us
to have faith in Him and to see if we are willing to prove that faith through
our own actions, even when we don’t understand specifically how to do His will
(e)
He reveals light and expects us to walk to the
edge of the light or even into the darkness a bit, and only then will He reveal
more light and truth
(f)
How could we ever become like Him if He made
every decision for us, if He held our hand every step of the way?
·
The Specifics of How to Accomplish the Lord’s
Will are Mostly Unknown
(a)
The Lord appreciates it when you bear your
testimony that He lives, but what really counts is your love for the Lord and
whether you do His will and keep His commandments
·
The Lord Allows Latitude for Human Judgment
(b)
As you go forward in faith, the Lord will reveal
His will to you so that you will know what you should do
(c)
When you sincerely say to the Lord, “Father, I
believe thy will, and I will do it; I will give all that it takes to accomplish
it,” and then you keep that promise, the Lord will reveal to you how to do it
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