Notes on Lectures On Faith

Some points from the Lectures on Faith

First Lecture- What faith is, the assurance of things hoped for, and how it is the motivating power of all creation and thus it is the first principle of the gospel

Second Lecture- The object on which faith rests is God. Knowledge and evidence, in the way of personal visitation by Him, was made manifest into the world through chosen vessels such as Joseph Smith; the first chosen vessel was Adam. It shows from Adam to Abraham how many hundreds of years each father and son lived. For example, it shows how Lamech, who was Noah’s father, was 56 years old when Adam died. Eight of the men mentioned in the Old Testament who were living at the time of Noah were also alive when Adam was. Why is this important? They heard Adam’s testimony first-hand. Adam walked and talked with God in the Garden of Eden. When he was cast out of the Garden he still had knowledge of God which he shared with his children and their children. They were responsible for believing the testimony of Adam, who spoke with God face to face. In our dispensation, we are responsible for believing the testimony of Joseph Smith, who spoke with God face to face. Every dispensation has its’ own chosen witness. This is the way evidence is presented from God into the world while still allowing everyone to develop faith. If God appeared to everyone, they could not have faith, they would have knowledge.

Third Lecture- Three things are necessary that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith.
First, the idea that He actually exists. It is difficult to place confidence in someone who does not even exist.
Secondly, a correct idea of His character, perfections and attributes. Trust is a firm belief in the integrity, ability, effectiveness or genuineness of someone. It would be difficult to have faith and trust in someone who does not posses these attributes:
He is God over all before and after the creation. With this knowledge, we can have faith knowing that no one above Him can usurp his power or keep Him from keeping promises to us.
He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness, and He was so from everlasting to everlasting. With the knowledge, we can have faith that He will be merciful with us.
He changes not. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. With this knowledge, we can have faith that He won’t change His mind on which commandments he wants us to keep.
He is a God of truth and cannot lie. We could not trust God if he lied.
He is no respecter of persons. In every nation, he that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of Him.
God is love.

Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which one is pursuing is according to His will. This knowledge helps us to endure the trials to our faith and the ups and downs in life which might dampen our courage, cause doubts and weaken our faith.

Fourth Lecture- More revelation from God to man through the written word about His attributes that enable us to have sufficient faith.
God has all knowledge.
God works through faith
God works by justice
God works by mercy
God has the power to judge
God is a God of truth.


Fifth Lecture- Teaches of the Godhead and how they are of one heart and one mind.

Sixth Lecture- Explains how the idea that one is pursuing the course in life that is agreeable to the will of God gives someone the strength and desire to sacrifice all for God. Only those who are willing to sacrifice everything are worthy to live with God. This knowledge of pursuing the right course in life is how the early saints were able to endure the loss of everything they did.

Seventh Lecture- The fruits of faith- need for greater faith, creation, power to endure trials, knowledge of God, spiritual confidence, mental exertion, being one with Christ, and salvation is the end of faith.


Notes from the Treatise on Faith by Orson Pratt

How is faith a gift but also dependent on our exercise, free will and agency? Faith is a gift but we can only have it in the Lord’s appointed way. The way we receive this gift is to hear the testimony by those called and inspired by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost.
Through this medium man makes himself acquainted with the evidence in favor of the divinity of the word, the evidence being of divine origin as well as the word. This evidence begets faith in the mind and this faith though it be obtained through the exercise of the free will and agency of man, is still the gift of God, granted through the evidence accompanying the preached word.
When the honest humble souls either hears or reads that which is given him by the Spirit, the light which is in him witnesseth that it is of God; for light cleaves to light and truth to truth; the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world, and if he loves that light which is in himself, he will love all other light that is presented to his mind and embrace it. Light cannot be presented to the mind of a candid honest person without being perceived as light, but if he receives it not, he extinguishes in a degree the light that is in him and darkness still greater ensues.
The only way to receive additional light is to practice according to the light which we have, and if we do this, we have the promise of God that the same shall grow brighter and brighter until the perfect day.