Things that Increase or Diminish Faith

[CAS]

I am curious if people believe there is an actual relationship between faith and:

1. Education, does it strengthen or weaken faith?

2. Types of callings, does being a Teacher help one be more faithful than say a Family History Consultant? Are there callings that appear to be more likely to increase a person’s faith? What are those callings?

3. Family background, persons from a strong by the book family - do they tend to have more success rearing faithful children and being faithful members themselves?

4. Those who claim to have felt the Holy Ghost, do they tend to have stronger faith?

5. Regular daily scripture study, does this help make a person more likely to be faithful?

 

What do I mean by faithful?

I would like this to be understood as a person who is less likely to criticize Church leadership, more likely to attend all meetings, more likely to hold a temple recommend, less likely to be inactive or less-active, more likely to hold a calling and that they are talented at their calling, etcetera.

This is not meant to demean anyone or to be taken negatively toward anyone, for anyone reason. If there are other categories that appear to strengthen faithfulness please add to this list. I would very much like this to not turn into a battering over words and terminologies as I would like this to actually be a faith promoting discussion and to be clear I am not so much looking for things that diminish faith but do welcome input along those lines.

This is my first post on this forum, I am hoping to be able to learn something here from your experiences and your opinions. If you have professional studies you recommend please provide a link if there is one and if not please be concise in your explanation, since what I am looking for is what you THINK. If there is already an exact post on this line of thought (I looked and could not find one) please provide the title so that I can look it up. Thank you.

[Tacenda]

As a single young adult and inactive, a short stint, I was called to team teach primary. It lead me to being active again and marrying in the temple eventually. So having callings can certainly elevate a person's faith. 🙂

[Bernard Gui]

Any suggestions about where to go to get reliable data for this?

[MustardSeed]

Good post  

For me personally, my faith grows when I have hope.  I’m more open to God when I feel He is within my grasp.  When I do the reading, praying, attending, and family ritual routines. 

Also, when I surround myself with faithful people and limit the rascals in my life, I’m more faithful. 

[hope_for_things]

45 minutes ago, CAS said:

What do I mean by faithful?

I would like this to be understood as a person who is less likely to criticize Church leadership, more likely to attend all meetings, more likely to hold a temple recommend, less likely to be inactive or less-active, more likely to hold a calling and that they are talented at their calling, etcetera.

This is not meant to demean anyone or to be taken negatively toward anyone, for anyone reason. If there are other categories that appear to strengthen faithfulness please add to this list. I would very much like this to not turn into a battering over words and terminologies as I would like this to actually be a faith promoting discussion and to be clear I am not so much looking for things that diminish faith but do welcome input along those lines.

This is my first post on this forum, I am hoping to be able to learn something here from your experiences and your opinions. If you have professional studies you recommend please provide a link if there is one and if not please be concise in your explanation, since what I am looking for is what you THINK. If there is already an exact post on this line of thought (I looked and could not find one) please provide the title so that I can look it up. Thank you.

Welcome to the board and to your first thread post.  I just wanted to comment on your definition of faithful.  This sounds like conformity to behavioral rules, rather than faith in God as a principle discussed in scripture.  I think this is a common problem in contemporary Mormonism in general.  The idea that checking certain boxes, that outward performances = faith in God.  I see this a missing the point and actually detrimental to the development of actual faith.  

For me, you can replace the word faith with the word trust.  The concept of developing trust in God is a concept that I think is all about finding a peace and inner confidence in the way you operate in the world and it has a direct correlation to aligning our actions with our inner values. For example, if have a value that God wants me to help the orphans of this world, I can exercise faith/trust in that value by contributing my time and resources to help orphans.  That is how I personally can exercise faith in that value, and consequentially increase my faith in God in the process.  When we practice through our actions the principles that align with our deepest inner values, this is what it means to exercise faith from my perspective.  

This may sounds similar to your list of attending meetings or holding a temple recommend, but I think there is an important difference.  The perspective one takes towards the actions that align with their inner values is not a trivial thing.  If you define faith/trust as following a set of behaviors that the culture has predetermined for you, by my definition you aren't exercising a personal faith.  You are just following a checklist that someone else handed you.  I think there is an important component around examining your life and exploring what you truly value the most, that is missing from the checklist approach.  Conformity to the expectations of a group, is very different than personal reflection and a real wrestle about what matters most to you as an individual.  I advocating for a very personal and examined approach to life.  

 

 

[JulieM]

5 hours ago, CAS said:

I am curious if people believe there is an actual relationship between faith and:

1. Education, does it strengthen or weaken faith?

2. Types of callings, does being a Teacher help one be more faithful than say a Family History Consultant? Are there callings that appear to be more likely to increase a person’s faith? What are those callings?

3. Family background, persons from a strong by the book family - do they tend to have more success rearing faithful children and being faithful members themselves?

4. Those who claim to have felt the Holy Ghost, do they tend to have stronger faith?

5. Regular daily scripture study, does this help make a person more likely to be faithful?

 

What do I mean by faithful?

I would like this to be understood as a person who is less likely to criticize Church leadership, more likely to attend all meetings, more likely to hold a temple recommend, less likely to be inactive or less-active, more likely to hold a calling and that they are talented at their calling, etcetera.

This is not meant to demean anyone or to be taken negatively toward anyone, for anyone reason. If there are other categories that appear to strengthen faithfulness please add to this list. I would very much like this to not turn into a battering over words and terminologies as I would like this to actually be a faith promoting discussion and to be clear I am not so much looking for things that diminish faith but do welcome input along those lines.

This is my first post on this forum, I am hoping to be able to learn something here from your experiences and your opinions. If you have professional studies you recommend please provide a link if there is one and if not please be concise in your explanation, since what I am looking for is what you THINK. If there is already an exact post on this line of thought (I looked and could not find one) please provide the title so that I can look it up. Thank you.

I think most about increasing my faith in the life and teachings of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I believe that isn’t just exclusive to having faith in the Mormon church, but I love this church and it’s where my family, good friends and community are, which are who I love.  The church also encourages service to your fellow man as Christ did.  I serve in the YW’s presidency and love the youth in the church.

I do not believe it’s the ONLY true church, but it’s where I can develop and nurture my love and faith in Jesus Christ.

Its easy to find fault and I have huge issues with some of church history (mainly with Joseph and his polygamy), but I love this church!

Edited February 21, 2019 by JulieM

[Thinking]

5 hours ago, CAS said:

I am curious if people believe there is an actual relationship between faith and:

1. Education, does it strengthen or weaken faith?

2. Types of callings, does being a Teacher help one be more faithful than say a Family History Consultant? Are there callings that appear to be more likely to increase a person’s faith? What are those callings?

3. Family background, persons from a strong by the book family - do they tend to have more success rearing faithful children and being faithful members themselves?

4. Those who claim to have felt the Holy Ghost, do they tend to have stronger faith?

5. Regular daily scripture study, does this help make a person more likely to be faithful?

I think the answers to these questions will be anecdotal.

[JAHS]

Faith should come from within not from a list of criteria or other outside influences, although they can help.  But if I had to choose I would pick # 4 on the list.
Confirmation from the Holy Ghost regarding gospel doctrines and the existence of God has the most powerful influence on a person's faithfulness. 

[Maidservant]

I define faith differently than most people.  For me, faith and the process of creation and becoming is basically the same thing.

My faith has arisen from my deepest trials and weaknesses and my journey to overcome them--by my own choices, and by miraculous mercy.

I would not equate my faith with 'my choice to remain and participate in the Church'.

I also would not equate my faith with my religion.  My religion is breathing, being alive, and being a person.

Edited February 21, 2019 by Maidservant

[Okrahomer]

8 hours ago, CAS said:

I am curious if people believe there is an actual relationship between faith and:

1. Education, does it strengthen or weaken faith?

According to Pew education appears to strengthen faith:

“Among Mormons, those who are more highly educated are not simply as religious as those with less education – Mormons with college experience are more religiously observant, on average, than Mormons with less education. Fully 92% of college-educated Mormons are highly religious, as are 91% of Mormons with some college. Among Mormons whose education topped out with high school, however, just 78% score high on the index of religious observance.”

[let’s roll]

I am in substantial accord with the view expressed by hope for things regarding how the OP defines faith/faithful.  

Just as all commandments are mere appendages to the first and second commandments, faith and faithfulness ought to flow from faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  That faith and the communion and guidance that flow from it is really the only faith and faithfulness I focus on and work to foster.

Every necessary thing will take care of itself if those are in place and the rest Christ offers (freedom from fear and doubt) will be realized.

[CAS]

As I read the comments above I am very impressed and appreciate the food for thought.  This has prompted me to do some study and searching and I have found three quotes that I would like to share:

“Every home is a house of learning either for good or otherwise. Family members may learn to be obedient, honest, industrious, self-reliant, and faithful in living gospel principles, or they may learn something else. "Learning the gospel in the homes of Church members should be centered on the scriptures and on the words of the latter-day prophets. The Lord has commanded parents to teach their children." Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

 

“Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is not something ethereal, floating loosely in the air. Faith does not fall upon us by chance or stay with us by birthright. It is, as the scriptures say, “substance …, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith emits a spiritual light, and that light is discernible. Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on to it. Your faith is either growing stronger or becoming weaker. Faith is a principle of power, important not only in this life but also in our progression beyond the veil. By the grace of Christ, we will one day be saved through faith on His name. The future of your faith is not by chance, but by choice.” Elder Neil L. Andersen

 

“'We are not obedient because we are blind, we are obedient because we can see' (Elder Boyd K. Packer) We might call this “faith obedience.” With faith, Abraham was obedient in preparing Isaac for sacrifice; with faith, Nephi was obedient in obtaining the brass plates; with faith, a little child obediently jumps from a height into the strong arms of his father. “Faith obedience” is a matter of trust. The question is simple: Do we trust our Heavenly Father? Do we trust our prophets?” Elder R. Conrad Schultz

[MustardSeed]

12 hours ago, CAS said:

since what I am looking for is what you THINK. 

So anecdotal sharing is fine.

[mfbukowski]

3 hours ago, MustardSeed said:

So anecdotal sharing is fine.

Not to mention all that is possible on this subjective subject.

 

[Duncan]

I was reminded of Elder Charles Didier's comments in the April 1991 GC

"Unfortunately, there are those who gain testimonies and then deny them and lose them. How does this happen? If you follow the steps to obtain a testimony, you do exactly the opposite to deny it or lose it. Do not pray; the door to revelation will be closed. Do not be humble but listen to your own superior voice. Do not participate in the ordinances of the gospel but follow the practices of the world. Do not follow Church leaders but be critical of them. Do not listen to prophets and follow their counsel but interpret their declarations according to your own desires. Do not obey the commandments but live according to your own appetites and desires."

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1991/10/testimony?lang=eng

[ALarson]

13 hours ago, JulieM said:

I think most about increasing my faith in the life and teachings of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I believe that isn’t just exclusive to having faith in the Mormon church, but I love this church and it’s where my family, good friends and community are, which are who I love.  The church also encourages service to your fellow man as Christ did.  I serve in the YW’s presidency and love the youth in the church.

I do not believe it’s the ONLY true church, but it’s where I can develop and nurture my love and faith in Jesus Christ.

Its easy to find fault and I have huge issues with some of church history (mainly with Joseph and his polygamy), but I love this church!

You are describing what many are currently going through (at least in our ward and stake).  I think it's been pointed out recently that there is a difference between faith and trust.  What's been termed a "faith crisis" is more of a "trust crisis".  

So how does one who has lost some of the trust they formerly had in their leaders (past and present), continue to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ?  Do the two have to be connected?

 

[CAS]

2 hours ago, Duncan said:

I was reminded of Elder Charles Didier's comments in the April 1991 GC

"Unfortunately, there are those who gain testimonies and then deny them and lose them. How does this happen? If you follow the steps to obtain a testimony, you do exactly the opposite to deny it or lose it. Do not pray; the door to revelation will be closed. Do not be humble but listen to your own superior voice. Do not participate in the ordinances of the gospel but follow the practices of the world. Do not follow Church leaders but be critical of them. Do not listen to prophets and follow their counsel but interpret their declarations according to your own desires. Do not obey the commandments but live according to your own appetites and desires."

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1991/10/testimony?lang=eng

Thank you, I will go and read that talk. I feel like that puts me in my place, me particularly.

Okay, I went and read it, when he used the word forum I felt like I was reading a powerful prophecy.

Edited February 21, 2019 by CAS

[JulieM]

1 hour ago, Duncan said:

I was reminded of Elder Charles Didier's comments in the April 1991 GC

"Unfortunately, there are those who gain testimonies and then deny them and lose them. How does this happen? If you follow the steps to obtain a testimony, you do exactly the opposite to deny it or lose it. Do not pray; the door to revelation will be closed. Do not be humble but listen to your own superior voice. Do not participate in the ordinances of the gospel but follow the practices of the world. Do not follow Church leaders but be critical of them. Do not listen to prophets and follow their counsel but interpret their declarations according to your own desires. Do not obey the commandments but live according to your own appetites and desires."

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1991/10/testimony?lang=eng

And one can do all that, and still learn new facts from church history (info in the essays on lds.org from our leaders), and loose trust and have their formerly strong faith in what they’d been taught shaken.

That is really happening in the church today with very strong, active members.  This is why (I believe) so many leaders are speaking about it now more and more.

Edited February 21, 2019 by JulieM

[bluebell]

I don't know that there is anything specific that lessens or strengthens faith, I think it mostly depends on the person.  Trials can lessen faith in some for example, while strengthen faith in others.  Education lessens faith in some and strengthens it in others too.  Delving into church history strengthened my faith but many lose faith during that process.  

[RevTestament]

19 hours ago, hope_for_things said:

Welcome to the board and to your first thread post.  I just wanted to comment on your definition of faithful.  This sounds like conformity to behavioral rules, rather than faith in God as a principle discussed in scripture.  I think this is a common problem in contemporary Mormonism in general.  The idea that checking certain boxes, that outward performances = faith in God.  I see this a missing the point and actually detrimental to the development of actual faith.  

For me, you can replace the word faith with the word trust.  The concept of developing trust in God is a concept that I think is all about finding a peace and inner confidence in the way you operate in the world and it has a direct correlation to aligning our actions with our inner values. For example, if have a value that God wants me to help the orphans of this world, I can exercise faith/trust in that value by contributing my time and resources to help orphans.  That is how I personally can exercise faith in that value, and consequentially increase my faith in God in the process.  When we practice through our actions the principles that align with our deepest inner values, this is what it means to exercise faith from my perspective.  

This may sounds similar to your list of attending meetings or holding a temple recommend, but I think there is an important difference.  The perspective one takes towards the actions that align with their inner values is not a trivial thing.  If you define faith/trust as following a set of behaviors that the culture has predetermined for you, by my definition you aren't exercising a personal faith.  You are just following a checklist that someone else handed you.  I think there is an important component around examining your life and exploring what you truly value the most, that is missing from the checklist approach.  Conformity to the expectations of a group, is very different than personal reflection and a real wrestle about what matters most to you as an individual.  I advocating for a very personal and examined approach to life.  

I believe you have made some of the most profound statements on this thread, and I like your comment that trust can be a synonym for faith. It is thought provoking. Faith is more than belief, but as it is used scripturally, it is a willingness to submit yourself to the wishes of God, which is certainly trusting in Him - something I sometimes find hard to do for various reasons. 

20 hours ago, CAS said:

I am curious if people believe there is an actual relationship between faith and:

1. Education, does it strengthen or weaken faith?

What kind of education? Do Seminary, Institute or other religious education count? Or are you just speaking in the usual secularized fashion? 

I don't know that science, etc has particularly helped my faith. But, I also do not believe it need harm it. It may help inform one's interpretation of scripture. I took a class in NT studies thinking I would increase my understanding and faith in scripture, but it didn't help at all to learn about modern textual criticism. However, I have undertaken to educate myself through the vast sources of information available through the internet, and I have found it edifying. I believe there is much information to support scripture, if one is willing to divorce oneself from traditional interpretations and interpretations of various scholars and scientists. So, I would say that education is good if one is open to continually trying to seek truth rather than settling on believing previously arrived at opinions and interpretations.

20 hours ago, CAS said:

2. Types of callings, does being a Teacher help one be more faithful than say a Family History Consultant? Are there callings that appear to be more likely to increase a person’s faith? What are those callings?

While I think your intent behind these questions is good, I would focus on what you think the Lord wants you to do, rather than what you feel will help you most.

20 hours ago, CAS said:

3. Family background, persons from a strong by the book family - do they tend to have more success rearing faithful children and being faithful members themselves?

I don't personally describe myself as TBM, but I would say that certainly holds true for my wife, who I put in primary responsibility for teaching and raising our children. She did a wonderful job of instilling in them a desire to do right. However, our oldest son didn't seem to really have a testimony for himself, and instead of going on a mission after HS, he went to work. There was a time when he didn't want to go to Church. Was he a faithful child/member? I was patient and felt that the Lord would eventually answer his prayers when appropriate. He was asked to speak on the First Vision in a class, and said that when he got up to do it, the spirit just "hit me like a freight train." So, I would say his rearing gave him the right foundation, but not what he really needed to be fully converted as a member. The Lord gave that to him. I hope that answers your question.

20 hours ago, CAS said:

4. Those who claim to have felt the Holy Ghost, do they tend to have stronger faith?

Actually, the Lord has spoken to me even before I joined this Church. Something I forgot later in life. But I would say that my experiences definitely contribute to my faith. But what is my faith in? The truths of the Church or the Church? Faith in men can be misplaced. However, I do have faith in the truths reintroduced by Joseph Smith, and which can be seen in scripture. 

20 hours ago, CAS said:

5. Regular daily scripture study, does this help make a person more likely to be faithful?

See above. If regular, daily scripture study is undertaken with a willingness to actually study, and try to understand, then yes, I believe it will greatly contribute to one's faith in the Lord. If one does not question beyond the opinions of others, then obviously growth may be limited.

20 hours ago, CAS said:

What do I mean by faithful?

I would like this to be understood as a person who is less likely to criticize Church leadership, more likely to attend all meetings, more likely to hold a temple recommend, less likely to be inactive or less-active, more likely to hold a calling and that they are talented at their calling, etcetera.

TBH I don't really care for your definition here. HfT points out that faith is an internal thing, which may not be observable by others. Did Yeshua criticize Church leadership? I would say all would agree that He did to the utmost. Did that make Him unfaithful? Perhaps that is not really a very good measure of faithfulness.... Your question of course presumes that the Church leaders will always be right, but Yeshua never gave such an assurance. He said to look to their fruits.

Quote

This is not meant to demean anyone or to be taken negatively toward anyone, for anyone reason. If there are other categories that appear to strengthen faithfulness please add to this list. I would very much like this to not turn into a battering over words and terminologies as I would like this to actually be a faith promoting discussion and to be clear I am not so much looking for things that diminish faith but do welcome input along those lines.

This is my first post on this forum, I am hoping to be able to learn something here from your experiences and your opinions. If you have professional studies you recommend please provide a link if there is one and if not please be concise in your explanation, since what I am looking for is what you THINK. If there is already an exact post on this line of thought (I looked and could not find one) please provide the title so that I can look it up. Thank you.

Welcome to the forum BTW. You have received what I THINK. I don't have some wonderful exposition on faith to point you to, but encourage you to consider that faith will not be found in the pursuit of some laundry list of observable things to do. It is my humble opinion that it is gained through both knowledge and experience, and one cannot "learn" the latter. Cheers. 

[Robert F. Smith]

On 2/20/2019 at 2:29 PM, CAS said:

I am curious if people believe there is an actual relationship between faith and:

1. Education, does it strengthen or weaken faith?

Better educated LDS tend to be more faithful, which is a bit unusual for a religion:  Joseph Walker, “LDS religious commitment high, Pew survey finds,” Deseret News, Jan 13, 2012, online at  http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700215244/LDS-religious-commitment-high-Pew-survey-finds.html?pg=all , and   https://www.reddit.com/r/latterdaysaints/comments/4bnont/as_mormons_become_more_educated_they_become_more/ .

Quote

..............................3. Family background, persons from a strong by the book family - do they tend to have more success rearing faithful children and being faithful members themselves?

"strong by the book" implies rigidity, which is  not helpful.

Aside from that, yes they do:  William McKenzie, "The God Gene: The family that prays together .  .  . well, you know the rest," The Weekly Standard, 19/44 (August 4, 2014), online at  http://www.weeklystandard.com/author/william-mckenzie .

Quote

4. Those who claim to have felt the Holy Ghost, do they tend to have stronger faith?

5. Regular daily scripture study, does this help make a person more likely to be faithful?

Seems quite likely.

Quote

What do I mean by faithful?

I would like this to be understood as a person who is less likely to criticize Church leadership, more likely to attend all meetings, more likely to hold a temple recommend, less likely to be inactive or less-active, more likely to hold a calling and that they are talented at their calling, etcetera.

When Orson Pratt was critical of Brigham Young, that did  not diminish his faith.  In fact that demonstrated his strong faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  That is where our faith belongs.  Those TBMs who are rigid and brittle in their faith are the most likely to break or crumble in the face of adversity.  Instead of being "broken reeds" (Isa 42:3, Matt 12:20), we need to bend with the wind of the Holy Ghost.

Quote

This is not meant to demean anyone or to be taken negatively toward anyone, for anyone reason. If there are other categories that appear to strengthen faithfulness please add to this list........................... I am not so much looking for things that diminish faith but do welcome input along those lines.

............................e what I am looking for is what you THINK...........................

 

What do you think, CAS?

Edited February 22, 2019 by Robert F. Smith

[hope_for_things]

2 hours ago, RevTestament said:

I believe you have made some of the most profound statements on this thread, and I like your comment that trust can be a synonym for faith. It is thought provoking. Faith is more than belief, but as it is used scripturally, it is a willingness to submit yourself to the wishes of God, which is certainly trusting in Him - something I sometimes find hard to do for various reasons. 

Thanks Rev, that is a very nice compliment.  I have some thoughts about belief as well.  I see faith as something very different than belief.  I don't think I can force myself to believe things.  For example, if I believe in the force of gravity.  No matter how much I may try to believe otherwise, no matter how many authority figures might tell me differently, I personally couldn't bring myself to jump off a cliff with the expectation that I would float in the air instead of falling to my death.  I just can't control that belief about gravity, it is informed by my intellect and by my emotionally informed lived experiences. 

I often try to evaluate what I think the "wishes of God" might be.  I think this is how we are to learn and grow, as we examine how our experiences and observations match up with the values that we believe.  Do we actively practice behaviors that align with these values?  By purposefully aligning our actions up with the principles we believe are divinely inspired is an act of exercising faith/trust, and through these acts we are essentially experimenting on the word and testing whether or not these principles have redeeming value. 

From my personal experience what I've found as I do this is I always learn something about how flawed and limited my current understanding is.  This gives me a greater sense of humility as I continually have to go back to the drawing board and re-evaluate the essence of the principles or "wishes of God" that I thought I understood previously.  I think this is a huge part of the human endeavor, and in my mind it is a worthy practice.  I also think this whole process doesn't directly tie itself back to Christianity or Mormonism, but can be engaged through other faiths or secular paths.  But I'm personally working on this journey using the metaphors of a religious paradigm.  

[rpn]

I'd submit that the type of calling doesn't matter; but rather any calling that prompts one to act more Christlike, or learn more about what that means, or love their fellowmen all does.   You can do that in any calling, and you can do any calling without having any of that as a magical result.

I'm not persuaded that checking the boxes of active, inherently/inevitably changes hearts to ones that have no more disposition to do evil   (That should be obvious in the recent arrest of a Lehi sitting bishop who was also running a prostitution ring.)    Yes, someone who checks the boxes authentically, is honest with herself or himself, and serves their fellowmen/women, may well change into the person they came to earth to become.   And all of those checkmarks have capacity to build faith.   But what is happening in why and desires matters at least as much, maybe more than the checkmarks themselves.

[CV75]

On February 20, 2019 at 4:29 PM, CAS said:

I am curious if people believe there is an actual relationship between faith and:

1. Education, does it strengthen or weaken faith?

2. Types of callings, does being a Teacher help one be more faithful than say a Family History Consultant? Are there callings that appear to be more likely to increase a person’s faith? What are those callings?

3. Family background, persons from a strong by the book family - do they tend to have more success rearing faithful children and being faithful members themselves?

4. Those who claim to have felt the Holy Ghost, do they tend to have stronger faith?

5. Regular daily scripture study, does this help make a person more likely to be faithful?

 

What do I mean by faithful?

I would like this to be understood as a person who is less likely to criticize Church leadership, more likely to attend all meetings, more likely to hold a temple recommend, less likely to be inactive or less-active, more likely to hold a calling and that they are talented at their calling, etcetera.

This is not meant to demean anyone or to be taken negatively toward anyone, for anyone reason. If there are other categories that appear to strengthen faithfulness please add to this list. I would very much like this to not turn into a battering over words and terminologies as I would like this to actually be a faith promoting discussion and to be clear I am not so much looking for things that diminish faith but do welcome input along those lines.

This is my first post on this forum, I am hoping to be able to learn something here from your experiences and your opinions. If you have professional studies you recommend please provide a link if there is one and if not please be concise in your explanation, since what I am looking for is what you THINK. If there is already an exact post on this line of thought (I looked and could not find one) please provide the title so that I can look it up. Thank you.

Faith is the expression of agency. Where agency is expanded, faith is expanded. Looking at the various components of agency, we can see how this is accomplished.

[SeekingUnderstanding]

3 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Better educated LDS tend to be more faithful, which is a bit unusual for a religion:  Joseph Walker, “LDS religious commitment high, Pew survey finds,” Deseret News, Jan 13, 2012, online at  http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700215244/LDS-religious-commitment-high-Pew-survey-finds.html?pg=all , and   https://www.reddit.com/r/latterdaysaints/comments/4bnont/as_mormons_become_more_educated_they_become_more/ .

I don’t think that this study shows that education increases faithfulness among Latter-day Saints. Given that this survey only questioned self-identifying LDS other interpretations are possible. For example, among those that are less devout, educated people are less likely to identify as Mormon than less educated. That is, people with college education are more likely to either fully commit or fully withdraw.