Do we understand the power of faith?

Question

In my personal scripture study recently, I've noted several passages which denote a great power behind the simple practice of faith [see Mormon & his commentary in Ether].
Does anyone have any insight here?
[and please, no negativity - yes, I referred to the Book of Mormon and am LDS - nor do I particularly care if you have 'judged' that mormons will go to hell]

Answer 1

I think to better understand faith we have to better understand who we are and the true nature of our Father in Heaven. I also think people often mix up faith and wishing for something. I have watched my faith do extraordinary things in my life and the lives of others. It really does start as small as a mustard seed. But just that "willingness" to believe can open up so much more to us. Without faith we cannot progress in our knowledge and understanding. The more we understand our own nature and the nature of God, the greater our faith can and will be. I love that chapter by the way. Thanks.

Answer 2

There is absolutely great power in faith. Just ask an adult convert. To leave one belief system and to embrace another requires great faith to listen to what's being said and take a step into something strange and unknown requires the faith of at least a mustard seed for MANY, MANY converts.
But once baptised and confirmed it continues to require great faith. We are always moving in either a forward direction or a backward one. To backslide is SO easy. It requires work to even move forward just a little, and because of our faith we are blessed and the whole process becomes a little easier. Eventually our faith in a concept turns into knowledge and gets incorporated into our personal testimony and we move on to some other concept that requires faith. Remember that it was by faith that the plates were translated. D&C 8.

I don't think we do understand the power behind and in store for us if we are but faithfull, acting in faith, believing in faith, etc. Elder M. Russell Ballard's books about conversion, When Thou Art Converted (I think that's the name) is great and even though it's been a long time since I've read it, it was the first thing that popped into my mind when I read your question.

Answer 3

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
To me that means that we have the confirmation of the spirit within us that a certain result will occur even though we have no thought of how it might happen.
My wife and I have often crunched our budget numbers and see no way to make ends meet. However, we pay or tithing and move forward and some how we get through the month with everything being covered. We have gone on trips without knowing in advance quite how to get there even though we had planned it out. When things didn't go as planned, alternative plans came from unknown sources to help us on our way. I'm talking about running out of gas twice in the same night and having someone at the spot to help us on our way with more gas. I'm talking about having an accident with a mule deer buck and having another traveler come behind us to help us call for help when no other cars went by for the rest of the night. I have seen people recover from sicknesses and cast off depressions or receive dreams of comfort when needed. We move forward toward an uncertain goal and we can achieve it. Obstacles are overcome and insurmountable objectives are obtained.
Faith, prayer, inspiration and miracles are linked as workings of the Holy Ghost. They are there to help us get through mortality and to return to our Father in Heaven.

Answer 4

Probably not.

I heard a woman tell an experience recently (ok, so it was in church last Sunday).... Blessings come because of obedience, right? Well, not always. God will not force anything on us, so we gotta ask for the blessings..... Well, this was a doosie!

Her hubby is self employed- installs computer systems.

She's self-employed- medical transcribing.

They decided they needed to get out of debt, or at least get their budget under control. So she met with someone to work out a budget- pay all their bills and set goals to pay off their debts. The goal required stretching and growing, but this couple felt it was right.... and then they realized that they'd need help to meet this goal.

(Malachi 3:10) They'd always been faithful tithe payers, but the wife wondered where the promised bounty was. So she prayed and asked for the help.

"... That there shall not be room enough to receive it."

Well, one of the doctor's offices that was about 60% of her work- He called and told her he was going on vacation, would be gone for about 3 weeks.... (ok, how is this going to HELP??!?)

But an office she'd worked with a little called- they're changing to a fully-computerized system, and needed someone to help with transcribing while they transitioned (and afterward). She asked how much work was involved. The amount quoted was about 5x what she normally does. FIVE TIMES!!!!!

So she called a couple friends who were also doing transcription, asked if they wanted more work- they were happy to help out!

And coincidentally- the new job was to begin the first day of the other doctor's vacation! She would have the work she needed to meet her family's needs and their financial goals. She'd have the time to aclimate to the increased work load. She would still be able to be home and be the mother she wants to be for her children.

WOW!!!!



Moral- My husband and I are going to work on being a little more faithful in our daily prayers.



Edit-
PS- Crazy Bee- I wish you allowed email- I really love your answer- what an eloquent statement of what faith is! *hug*

Answer 5

I am not a Mormon, but I agree with you 100%. Many miracles were performed by faith. Remember the story of the lady who had a problem with bleeding and she grabbed the bottom of Jesus' garment and was instantly healed. Her faith allowed this to happen. It's funny but those who truly have faith can do these things today.

Answer 6

Faith, to me, is not a simple practice until you have it.
It takes humility for someone to believe in a higher power, and courage for a doubter to pray for Truth. Then, faith, prayer, and fasting will give one the testimony of just how really great is our Heavenly Father 's power.

Answer 7

I know nothing about the Morman faith, but I do know the stronger your faith the more God will work in your life. Faith is what it's all about. Faith knowing Jesus is alive and in Heaven. Faith knowing the Holy Spirit is on earth helping and interceding on our behalf. Faith if we do our best to do God's will and ask forgiveness when we don't, Faith knowing that we have a mansion in Heaven waiting on us and seeing our loved ones that have gone on. Oh, yes, Faith is everything. Faith is what keeps me going.

Answer 8

Even science keeps building empirical evidence for the power of faith, which they call the "placebo". It can heal someone with less side effects. The power of faith is like finding out how to activate the placebo which guides the doctor within each of us to heal ourselves. It is what shamans do in our healing process most of the time. When we activate the subject's placebo, they become open to the work of the spirits.

Answer 9

Faith can move mountains. And also get me to get up and go to work each morning (faith I will get a pay check)

Answer 10

Your faith is very powerful. I am not sure that we can ever really be able to fully understand all that we are capable of through our faith in God. The bible says that all things are possible to those who believe and are called according to His purpose.