A Question About Faith

A question was posed about the subject of faith, and I was having a difficult time wording an answer.  Because we each come from different backgrounds, and have different life experiences, and because questions are asked from those perspectives, accordingly there are various ways to express an answer.  This was a large question, and there were various nuances in the email, so there may be parts of this answer that may seem elusive at first.  Please keep in mind that this email was for a specific person and a specific set of circumstances, and I am posting it here (with permission, and slightly edited) in the hopes that it may provide a different perspective and perhaps be of eternal use to others as well. 

My experiences with Faith: 

I hope that I can give you some ideas that will be useful to you. And in that regard, I would rather not address what I think, but instead share with you what has actually worked with me.

Faith is the moving cause of action. Faith is not a belief. Faith is not a magical/mystical power. Faith is following a course of action that produces the desired result. In fact, faith is loyally following that course of action, without deviation. Not the least deviation! 

What do you think of when you hear the phrases: a faithful dog; a faithful companion; a faithful spouse; faithfully sticking to his diet; etc? Those phrases describe faith. That is what faith is! 

Faith is a gift from God, granted to those who are faithful. 

As we pray for an increase in faith, the Lord will give us more instructions that we must follow faithfully. As we follow faithfully, we have faith. But it is still the heart that our Heavenly Father looks upon. Are we only following to have faith, or do we enjoy following? Do we enjoy being faithful even if there were never to be any reward? That is the heart of it. 

Joseph Smith was fore-ordained to do what he did, and he did exercise great faith, and yes greater faith than most of us, although you have it in you to exercise the same faith as Joseph Smith did.

You are absolutely correct when you say; "Perhaps technically speaking faith is only manifest when we ask for that which is right, or in the mind of God, so on that account, Joseph Smith had faith, because it was in the mind of God to appear to him."

Faith must be based in a correct principle and must be according to the will of God for it to bear fruit, or it is not faith. 

The Lord has His hand upon you and He will lead you through a specific course, designed specifically for you, to bring you before His face. He has already revealed that.

Comparing ourselves against others does not often work. I went through a programme designed specifically for me. I was faithful through some very horrendous sufferings that were very long lasting. Some of which are still ongoing. It is a very bitter cup.

We all have our agency, and as long as you haven't done any horrendous crimes, you are still capable of going before God in person in this lifetime. He has already revealed this to you when I was there. So take heart. You can continue to push forward in faith, you are not pressing forward in vain. 

Some of the things you need to correct are your beliefs about God, and He is already leading you through experiences designed to correct those beliefs. 

I hope this helps.  Do not lose heart; you are on the right path.  Keep seeking Christ.  Keep seeking the face of God! 

Yours in Christ,
Joseph 

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