“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen...”
The gospel of Jesus Christ begins with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Having faith in Christ includes having a firm belief that He is the Only Begotten Son of God and the Savior and Redeemer of the world. It is to believe there is no “salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Those who have Faith in Christ recognize that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father only by relying on His Son’s grace and mercy. When we have faith in Christ, we accept and apply His Atonement and His teachings. We trust Him and what He says. We know that He has the power to keep His promises.
In Hebrews chapter 11, Paul gives us a more complete understanding of the relationship between faith and grace that makes it clear how we are saved through grace as we exercise Faith in Jesus Christ. We see in Hebrews 11 an illustration of what the Book of Mormon teaches:
“For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them.” — Ether 12:12
Consider this: Is there anything you do as a disciple that you can do without exercising faith in Christ? Is there any gift of grace that comes into your life without the exercising of faith? I think when you consider the list from Hebrews 11 you will see that by FAITH come ALL good things.
By faith we understand.
By faith we we offer a more excellent sacrifice.
By Faith we obtained a witness that we are righteous.
By faith we please God, without faith it is impossible to please him.
By Faith we became heirs of righteousness.
By Faith we obey.
By Faith we build foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
By faith we are persuaded to believe in and embraced the promises of God.
By Faith we are faithful in trials.
By Faith we forsake the riches of the world.
By Faith we forsake the momentary pleasures of sin.
By Faith we follow the prophets.
By Faith we prophesy.
By Faith the walls of our enemies fall.
By Faith we perish not.
By Faith we work righteousness.
By Faith our weakness is made strong.
By Faith we are valiant in the fight.
By Faith we and our ancestors are made perfect.
By Faith we obtain the promises of God.
As you can see, Faith is a principle of action, a principle of good works. Faith is how we access the grace of Christ, it is how the strengthening and enabling power of His atonement makes it into our hearts and moves us forward on the covenant path. Faith in Christ is the power by which we progress and through faith we receive the promised blessings of His grace; the greatest of which are perfection and exaltation.
