In the book of Ether, Moroni provides a concise definition of faith which mirrors similar definitions in the book of Alma and in the epistle to the Hebrews:
| Ether 12:6 | Alma 32:21 | Hebrews 11:1 |
|---|---|---|
| Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen. | If ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true. | Faith is the substance [assurance or confidence] of things hoped for, the evidence [proof] of things not seen. |
All three definitions indicate that faith involves hoping for something which you can’t see. Alma adds that the thing you hope for must be true. The author of Hebrews adds that faith is the hupostasis (ὑπόστασις) and the elegchos (ἔλεγχος) of that hope. Hupostasis is a foundation or a fundamental reality. By analogy, it represents confidence or assurance. Elegchos is a proof or a persuasive set of evidence. Faith is not an idle wish or a pipe dream. It’s something you’re convinced will happen. It’s something you have reason to believe will happen, even though you can’t see it yet.
Elder Neil L. Andersen recently suggested a number of faith-building activities:
We build this substance—the evidence blocks of our faith—through prayer, temple covenants, keeping the commandments, continually feasting on the scriptures and the words of modern-day prophets, taking the sacrament, serving others, and worshipping weekly with our fellow Saints.
“The Triumph of Hope,” General Conference, October 2024
Why do these activities build faith? I think it’s because they give us opportunities to see God’s hand in our lives. As we intentionally seek and receive blessings from Him, we learn to trust Him.
Think about gratitude. The things you are thankful for were already there before you noticed and appreciated them, but they may not have had the same impact on you. Similarly, we are surrounded by evidences of God’s love and trustworthiness, but those evidences can only build our confidence when we are aware of them.
Additionally, as President Russell M. Nelson has taught, faith grows through exercise. “What would you do if you had more faith?” he asked. “Think about it. Write about it. Then receive more faith by doing something that requires more faith” (“Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” General Conference, April 2021).
Today, I will engage in faith-building exercises. I will participate in activities that bring me closer to God, including prayer and service, and I will receive more faith by participating in activities which require it.
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