Faith, Knowledge &Truth

[Rob Osborn]

The question came up in church several times today on faith- "what is faith"? This has been an oft debated topic in the church and one in which I think we ....overthink! Perhaps confusing, but in Alma 32:21 we read the mormon definition of faith-

And now as I said concerning faith—^afaith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye ^bhope for things which are ^cnot seen, which are true.

(Book of Mormon | Alma 32:21)

My position on the issue is that faith is merely trust or confidence in someone or something regardless of whether or not in the end it is true or untrue. For instance- my faith or belief in what heaven is like has changed over the years. Does this mean that i really had no faith in the beginning? Absolutley not. Just because my world-view can change doesn't mean that I have no faith, it merely means that "that" which I place my "faith" within changes. I also believe that peoples of differing faiths and belifs can exercise faith in distinctly different manner s and still be heard and answered by teh same God in heaven. For some, their faith may lead them in the belief that God takes the shape and form of a ghost or spirit without any real distinct qualities. So, they place their faith in this and pray to this faith according to their belief. If sincere, God will still answer there prayer regardless of what that person is exercising faith-wise on what they may look like or be like.

We are told that the gospel is learned line upon line precept upon precept. All this while, our faith, or confidence & trust in a certain belief may change- and change rather drastically at that! This doesn't make our faith in vain or nonexistant, it is just a tool that must be recognized that enables us to find truth and knowledge. In my work I can place faith in doing a task a certian way and then in the end find a better way or better idea for doing it. I then shift my faith into a new channel and pursue that course. The path I end up weaving has indeed been done in faith for the most part even when at times that faith led me in vain.

My point here is that something doesn't have to be a known or even be true to have faith in. All faith does is enable us to place confidence within that which drives us forward.