What is faith?

Kempe answered…

It's another word for commitment. When assessing one's own faithfulness, it may be easier to ask, "How committed are you?"

Commitment
Elder F. Burton Howard of the Seventy

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=a4237cf34f40c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Cary answered…

Faith is a huge topic, rarely fully understood even by people who talk about it a lot. In the Mormon conception, it's a step of confidence between mere belief and full knowledge. It's perhaps best described by contrast with these two extremes on the continuum on which they all lie. First, faith is not that passive thing we call belief because it's a principle of action. So for someone to have faith, they have to be motivated to put a belief into practice, not merely be content with keeping it in their mind. For example, we believe that Christ is the Savior, but because we have faith we ACT as if this were true, and follow His example as best we can. In fact, "acting as if..." is a fairly good phrase to define faith. On the other hand, faith is not "perfect knowledge" either. There is enough of an element of uncertainty about the thing we have faith in, that it takes an effort of conscious decision-making to test our faith's hypothesis. If we had a full knowledge of a thing, that whole test, and the faith to find out if it's true, wouldn't be necessary. Atheists will argue that faith is mere belief (and baseless, at that), but what I have described for faith here leads to a more "scientific" approach that Atheists would like to admit is operable in the minds of the faithful. The proper response to a scriptural assertion, then, becomes not blind obedience, but rather careful thought, hypothesis forming, and testing. As tests come back proven or unproven, faith will grow in the right direction until it approaches "perfect knowledge".

Don answered…

Faith is taking action because of a hope in something. Often the Savior asks of us to do certain things or live in certain ways. When we see a stranger in distress, we stop and help them as Jesus commanded us to in the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25. The act of helping is the evidence of our Faith in Christ. We are asked to tithe. Tithing is evidence of our faith. We tithe in hopes of the promises in Malachi 3:10 that the floodgates of Heaven are open to us.
Faith is when we put our beliefs and hope into action.

Kevin answered…

In the bible we learn that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Which means faith is having assurance of things you want or need and proof that it will happen if all prerequisites are met. for example, we go to work everyday hoping that we will receive a paycheck cause we have proof that it has happened in the past. We plant gardens in the hope that it will produce fruits and vegetables, but we have to water it and preform the other tasks associated with gardening. We do this because we have either seen, heard about, or we have gardened for ourselves and know that plants will grow if conditions are right. Faith must be centered in Jesus Christ and on correct principles found in the scriptures and through revelation. We must gain assurance and evidence about the task that will be attempted, to motivate us to action. The combination of believing, evidence, action, the will of the Lord, and Christ's help, we can accomplish righteous desires.

Tim answered…

Faith is what gives me hope for a better tomorrow. Faith gives me the assurance that Jesus Christ really is my Savior. Faith is what enables me to see someone as they may become, rather than who they are right now. Faith is what gives me confidence that my children have a chance to see a healthy, happy future despite all the problems that occur because of other people's choices, bad luck, and innocent mistakes. Faith keeps me happy and sane.

Gregg answered…

It's the first step in obtaining knowledge. First we have faith, then we act on that faith, then through our experience we come to know.

Chris answered…

Faith is to believe in something that you've never seen.

Aaliyah Alim answered…

faith is bealiving without seeing

Stephanie. answered…

 Faith is an undoubting belief that one feels about a subject. Without solid proof, one can feel and know that something is true.

Nick answered…

Faith is something that we believe in that we know is true but that we do not see. I believe that God lives, but I have never seen Him. Faith is a driving force in our lives that motivates us to do good. I have faith that Christ lives, so I strive to keep His commandments and do what has been explained in the scriptures (such as the ten commandments and other laws). Faith is not just a belief though, it is an action. I can tell my parents everyday how much I love them, but if I don't do what is asked of me such as washing the dishes, taking out the trash or cleaning up after myself, I am not showing my love. I believe that faith is similar. I can talk about God all day long and how much I love Him, but if I do not strive to follow Him or do what he has asked me to do, I am not showing my faith. James 2:20 teaches us that faith without works is dead. Along these lines, I believe that we should find joy in the journey enjoy every day. Faith is not just a once a week thing. Faith in Jesus Christ is something that is a part of us that helps us grow closer to our God. Because of faith in Christ, we can be happier.

Kurt Matthia answered…

Having faith in our Savior Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father is a promised gift that comes to all who seek after it. The Light, Jesus Christ, is come into the world. All who will earnestly and honestly study, ponder, and pray are promised they may know that Jesus is the Christ.

Faith is more than just believing or knowing. Even the devils of the New Testament knew and believed in Jesus. Faith is a principle of action. Faith unto salvation is the gift that is given to those who enter his discipleship and endure to the end.

Sundy Lynn answered…

A way of acting, believing, and thinking that is not based on knowledge but on a hope that something is real. Having faith in Jesus Christ means I am willing to follow His commandments, sometimes even before I know why, until eventually, after I have tasted the fruits of my labor, my faith turns into knowledge because I can see the effects.

Jon answered…

Faith is a gift from God. Only by being obedient and striving to do what is right, regardless of what the world and Satan says can we obtain that gift. If our Heavenly Father can see that we are sincere and striving to learn the truth, He will bless us with faith which will make us stronger in our convictions and help us to move forward toward that joy the awaits each of us as we grow in that faith and knowledge that Jesus is the Christ. That he lives. That he directs His Church today, just as he did so long ago when he was here in mortality.

Jewell. answered…

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heberews 11:1

Faith is like the wind. You can't see it, but you feel it, and you know it's there....

Leisa answered…

Faith is believing in something that you cannot see or feel, BUT is true. And then acting on it. Example I have faith that Jesus Christ was resurrected and still leads his Church through revelation to His Prophet and Apostles today. I cannot see Jesus Christ, but I have prayed and studied the scriptures and asked, and received an answer that the above sentence is true.

Because I know it is true and feel the power of God that it is true, I now not only should act upon it and live his Gospel, but his power becomes so joyful and motivating in my life I desire to act upon that truth.

Mark answered…

I have more thoughts about faith than I can share here, but would refer you, if interested, to my blog on faith, “Fast in the Faith” at http//fastinthefaith.blogspot.com/, and linked above. My posts there include “Faith, Experience & Reason in the Secular & Religious Realms – a Unity & Symmetry,” “Acquiring Faith,” and “Exercising Faith."

Suzanne answered…

Faith is more than a mere belief. It's also an action word - obedience. It's the vehicle that unlocks mysteries and miracles.

Jennifer answered…

 Faith is believing in something that you can't see. It is like believing in gravity or the exsistence of electrons in an atom. You believe in them even though you only see the effects that happen because of them.

Andrew answered…

Faith to me is trusting in God. Trusting that Jesus Christ really did suffer and die for me. Trusting that if I do my best and follow what God has asked that he will bless me. Trusting that God loves me.

Jordan answered…

Faith is an action word. Faith comes from reading the scriptures and receiving a witness from the Holy Ghost, spirit to spirit, that what we read is true. Faith matures as we continue to feast on the scriptures and continue to move forward and take steps of faith. Like a muscle it grows as we exercise it and atrophies as we neglect to do so.

Ilyan. answered…

Faith is doing something even though the results are at first unseen and unrealized. The scriptural definitions of faith include, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.-Hebrews, chapter 11, verse 1. Also, faith is to hope for things which are not seen, which are true.-Alma, chapter 32, verse 21.

Antonio answered…

Faith is the knowledge that there is a higher power watching out for you. It is the understanding that you are able to go to Him in pray and will expect an answer from Him. It is more then that though. It is also the belief the men called to serve the Lord were called directly from inspiration from God, that the men and women called have the spirit with them and will be acting in the best interest of the Lord. Faith is knowing that you are a child of God and that He knows each and every one of us by name. That he can help us and will act for us with our eternal salvation in mind. In the Pearl of Great Price, Moses Chapter 1, verse 39, it says "For behold, This is my work and my glory, to bring to past the immortality and eternal life of man." Having faith means that we will follow him with out a doubt, knowing that we will attain real happiness and will be blessed from heaven above and will rise above our brothers, that we will be chosen as a peculiar treasure. If nothing else, Faith is all that we have. The world could end, you could die by the end of the week. What good then, would be all the people we know, the money we have or the objects of value in our homes, if we are dead? Only our faith will save us from the sorrows of the Devil and his angels. My testimony to you, is that if we have faith and exercise that faith, we will be blessed and our lives will greatly improve. If you go to the Lord, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, He will bless you.

Elise answered…

  Faith is believing in things that you can't see that are true. For example, I've never seen an atom, but I know they exist. Faith is something stronger than a casual, "I think it might be true.” The scriptures talk about having a "perfect faith" and an "unshakable faith." These terms imply that faith is a firm and sure thing. Like you don't doubt at all that the sun will rise tomorrow, so is Faith. I have faith in Jesus Christ, whom I've never seen, but I know is real.

Cda answered…

Let all see to the Bible in Jonh 2029 It said " Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast BELIEVED Blessed are they that have NOT SEEN, and yet have BELIEVED" In the Book of Mormon is say in Alma 3221 " And now as I said concerning FAITH - FAITH is NOT to have a PERFECT KNOWLEDGE of things therefore if ye have FAITH ye HOPE for things which are NOT SEEN which are TRUE......" We can see Faith is a thing that we believe without seen that thing but is true!!!!!!!!

Tommy answered…

Believing in something you cant always see or hear.

Chanda answered…

Faith is a sense of hope for the future, and trust in God that he is there and will grant his promised blessings. To me faith is having the trust to move forward with a decision because you know it is the right thing to do, even if it does not logically make sense to the world. Often time the Lord asks us to do something that we feel is impossible. We may be able to see only one or two steps in front of us, and after that the way is dark and not made sure. Faith is having the courage to go as far as we can see, trusting that when we get there, God will help us see a little bit further. Sometimes we have to take that leap into the unknown where all doors appear to be closed, in order for God to open the door to opportunity and progression.

Charlie Shipp -- with Lynnette answered…

As in other instances, there are several levels of meaning. 1 Faith is belief. Hopefully, your 'faith' is based in truth. 2 Faith is action. Hopefully, your actions reflect to others the Love of Christ. 3 Look in your scriptures for 'faith', both in definition and example. 4 Your 'faith' is your 'testimony of Christ and his Gospel' here on Earth. It is a gift from God to be sought and treasured. Nurture your faith.

Bird answered…

Faith is a hope for things which are not seen which are true. Faith leads us to act on things which we believe in. Faith is what everything starts out with. If we dont have faith we won't go far!

Andrew answered…

Faith is a confidence in something that we cannot see, but that is true. I have never seen God, but I know as he answers my prayers and as I feel his spirit that he must be real. Faith is the first step in following Christ. You would never start on a path without believing it will lead you where you want to go. Just the same, you would never follow Jesus Christ unless you believed that he had the power to save you and that you would be blessed by following him. In other words, you would never follow him if you didn't have faith in him. Faith is a principle of action. If I have faith, it will be apparent in my actions. The Bible tells us that "faith without works is dead". If I have faith in Jesus Christ but I do not follow him, what does that say about my faith? If someone really does have faith in Jesus, you will see it in their lives and in the actions.

Taylor Tabile answered…

faith everything in my life with out faith my life is nothing

Trent answered…

The decision to believe first and find proof later.
My favorite quote about faith comes from Martin Luther King, Jr. "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." Another comes from the apostle Paul "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 111
In a mundane example, I don't leave my apartment until 10 minutes before I work, because I have faith that my car will get me there in 10 minutes. If I had no faith, I would leave my apartment much earlier so that I could walk and still arrive on time to work. In a more spiritual example, we are rewarded for our faith with miracles. Before I would ever obey any of God's commandments, I would need to have faith that there is a God who loves me and have faith that He will make good things happen when I follow His commandments.
It is also by faith that anyone can come to know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints is true. We invite anyone and everyone to read the Book of Mormon, and show faith by sincerely asking God in prayer if it is true.

Tyler answered…

Faith is believing in something so strongly that you almost have knowledge of it. It means acting in a way as if you had knowledge of it. As I have acted on faith I have received feelings that make me know that what I'm doing is right. At first it may not be easy, but the more you practice faith the easier it becomes and the more you know that what you've chosen to believe in is really true.

Michael answered…

Faith is a huge, multi-faceted subject. One thing I recently realized, or was taught by the Spirit, is that "faith is believing what you know, and knowing what you believe." Faith is that of which you are certain; to be of any saving value it must be centered in Jesus Christ.

Scripture defines it as hope in unseen truths. It is often associated with trusting in the Lord, His love, His plan, and His timing. When it is sufficiently pure it is a principle of power: by faith, wrote Paul, the worlds were framed. Miracles come of faith, but not the other way around.

Jessica answered…

Faith is believing in something with all your heart for that which you have not seen personally. I have gained faith by reading and studying the Book of Mormon and then praying to know if it is true. I attend our meetings then pray to my Heavenly Father and ask if what I heard was true. After praying I feel peace, love, comfort, and hope in my heart and throughout my body. This is the Spirit telling me that these things are true. This feeling is usually different for everyone but always feels uplifting and happy.

Kendra answered…

 Believing in something that you cannot see, but know is true.
For me the biggest test of my faith is when I have received an answer about something I have prayed about, then follow the answer, and have the FAITH to know it will all work out.

Diana answered…

Faith is to hope things which are not seen, which are true. In having faith you need hope, by having these two beliefs that you are giving you heart and mind that something is true. I believe that this is true due to my faith I am here and able to be part of my Heavenly Father's plan to return home to live in His sight.

Mate answered…

 Faith is hope for things which are not seen which are true. Faith is a principle of action and power that gives men an influence to act.

Jake answered…

Faith is doing something about what you believe is true. It motivates me to come closer to God so that I can learn what He wants to teach me, and then do what I need to do to meet His goals for me. It is having confidence in Him -- that He is knowable and that He will help me meet life's challenges. 

Abbey answered…

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. When you look at a light bulb that is not plugged into a source of power, do you doubt that if you were to put it in a lamp and plug the lamp into the wall, that it would turn on and emit light? No, you have seen it work that way with other lamps and light bulbs and have reason to hope that the result will be the same. Even though you have not seen this light bulb give off light, you have reason to believe that it will. I have never seen Jesus Christ face to face and yet I have faith that He exists.

Ammon answered…

Faith is action. Faith is trusting in the Lord and putting something into action. Faith involves some type of risk. When we step into the dark using our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, He will lighten our way just enough to keep moving. Faith is all about action, it is more than a mere belief in something. Having faith in Jesus Christ means not only you believe in Him, but also, that you believe Him. That you believe what He promises will hold true and you can then act and progress and grow. Faith is all about relying on Christ and using your agency to make forward, progressive movements in your life.

Chris answered…

Faith is the principle of action in all intelligent beings. Faith is the drive that causes us to act. When you turn on a light switch you cannot see the wires behind the wall that connect the switch and light bulb. However you do act as if you know they are hooked up correctly. this is faith. You cannot see how it is done, but you believe strong enough to feel that what you are doing will benefit you in some way and therefore you act accordingly. This is faith. In short it is confidence. It applies to all areas of life. 

Jacob Fisher answered…

Faith has helped me to understand more about Jesus Christ and his Church and to know what is more out there.

Spencer answered…

Faith is like trust. I just trust, or have faith, that God watches out for me.

Charity answered…

Faith is when you hope for something that you can't see or prove, but is nevertheless true. While we are on earth we need to rely on faith to follow God since we are not with him in Heaven. Faith grows by small steps. The great thing is that God promises us that our faith will grow if keep his commandments.

James 1:5-6 says "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." So don't be scared, ask God for yourself and start developing your own faith! Remember that it takes work but is worth it. :

Geoffrey Gordon answered…

Faith is more than just believing in something or someone, it is acting on that belief by doing something about it. For example if I believe in God, I express that I believe that he exists. But if I have faith in him, then i do something about it, like I pray to him often, i seek out his word in the scriptures and I trust in him by following his commandments.

Tyler answered…

As it says in Alma 32:21 "And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." Faith in Jesus Christ is vital to everything that we do. Even though we can't see him, when we truly believe in him the peace that we feel in our lives is so much greater than we could ever imagine. When we truly have faith as it says in Ether 12:4 "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." I know that if we have faith and are abounding in good works we truly can be found on the right hand of God.

Jessica answered…

Faith is action. Faith is demonstrated by our actions, not by our words. Faith is going forward in life without knowing the outcome. Faith is trust in our Father and knowing that He knows what is best for us.
"...thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." - James 2:18

Shelley answered…

Faith is to ACT, not chose to be acted upon. The Lord expects us to put our best self forward and that means believing in things that we can see AND things and concepts that we cannot see. By exhibiting faith, we communicate with our Heavenly Father that we willing to be obedient to His commandments and we are blessed by that obedience.

Frank answered…

Faith is some thing that you believe it is true but you don't have to be proven by physical appearance. Just like I know my parents and many friends love me unconditionally. I don't have to prove to myself but know it's true. I believe God and His son Jesus Christ is our master and creator with my faith. and the Holy Ghost witnessed its true.

Hannah answered…

Faith is commonly known as believing in things that are not seen but true like Alma, a prophet in the Book of Mormon, described (Alma 32:21). This statement is true. In addition to believing, faith is acting. Faith is a principle of action. People may not see what you have faith in, but people can see your example through acts of faith. Some examples are these: Faith is going to church in hope that you will receive strength. Faith is reading your scriptures every night in hope that you will receive comfort or guidance. Faith is praying and communicating with God in hope that you will receive an answer to a question. Faith is doing well in school in hope to get a job. As you can see, faith is much more than just believing. Faith is doing something in hope to benefit from your actions. We use faith every day; it is in the core of our actions. We are faithful because God blesses us when we are.

Scott answered…

Faith is one's belief in action.

Kevin answered…

From my study of the scriptures, I have come to realize that faith is a firm belief that moves us to action. Everyday we do things because we believe they will help us achieve some end result. Likewise, when we have faith in God we believe in Him firmly enough to follow His commandments, and because of our obedience we can have a firm hope of receiving the promised blessings. Faith is a principle of action and power. By exercising our faith in God through obedience we will see miracles happen in our lives.

Paul answered…

Faith is understanding God's will and acting in accordance with that understanding. It may sound presumptuous to say that we can understand God's will, but He's given us some helpful things to do so. Through the words of the Prophets and by learning to rely on the Holy Ghost, we can come to know God, and what we should do to become more like him.

Ashlee answered…

Faith is believing in something, even though you cannot see it. Compare faith to a seed, if you don't nourish it and care for it, the seed will not grow. Just like if we do not continually nourish our faith (scripture study, prayer, going to church, etc), it will also dwindle. We can compare Christ to Santa. Even though we never saw him, we believed Santa was real. Just like we have never seen Christ, but we believe that he is also real.

Holli answered…

 Faith is believing in something that isn't seen. But you know it is true. 

Cam answered…

One thing that i have learned is really what is faith. Many people believe that faith is only to believe in something or someone. Which really is not the case. When some one has faith in Christ they believe that he exists and that he is their Savior and they obey the commandments that he has given them. Faith has action and with out action faith is dead having no value. When some one has faith in God and his Son they work to show the faith that they have. A man shows that they have faith through their works. And God measures our faith through our works.To show that we have faith in Christ was must do what he teaches. We must be obedient to his example that he has given us through mortal ministry.

Madi Hacking answered…

Having faith means to believe in something you can't see, which is really there. To have faith in God means that you know He is there, you trust Him, and you are willing to act on the belief you have in Him.

enrique answered…

 FAITH THAT YOU KNOW THAT HEAVENLY FATHER LIVES AND JESUS CHRIST IS OUR SAVIOR.....

Karlie answered…

Faith is believing and trusting in something that you may not fully understand or be able see or know, but have felt.

Alyssa answered…

Doing when you don't fully understand why. Trusting Jesus Christ that He knows what is best for us.

Jules answered…

Faith is the choice that we make to believe in things we can't prove through our limited tools of scientific discovery. It is a choice to trust that we have a Heavenly Father and a Redeemer although we have not personally seen them. It is the choice to be obedient to the commandments of God even though we have only a "hope for things which are not seen, which are true" (Alma 32:21). It is the choice to make the sacrifices necessary to live our lives in the way that will bring us the greatest eternal blessings, even when those sacrifices are hard.

Carleen answered…

Faith is believing in something that you cannot see. It is not having all the information but you believe it to be true.

Angie answered…

Faith is not seeing but knowing in your heart what is and what is true and having the ability to act even though we cannot see. Faith is love and kindness and believing that Jesus died for us and that our Heavenly Father loves us and that he will answer all of our prayers the way we need not always the way we want.

Lovely answered…

faith in the lord Jesus Christ is one of the key principles of the Mormon Church. in the Articles of Faith, it states

"We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on the hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."
-Article 4

"now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
- Hebrews 11:1

Lizzie Marie answered…

Faith is knowledge that comes as you act on a belief. It is a desire to know for yourself. Faith grows as it is nourished.

Steven Craig answered…

Faith is believing in something or someone that can't be seen.

Matt answered…

Faith is believing something without having to see it. Like the wind, for example. Unless it's really dusty, you can't normally see it. Another example is like turning on the lights in your house. When you go to flip that switch, you don't know for sure that the lights are going to come on. But by past experience you believe that it will turn on. Thats how faith is. As we do God's will, He blesses us, and so we know that as we do His will again, we'll receive more blessings.

Mark answered…

Faith is not only beliving that God exists, but is also believing that he can and will bless us in our lives with the things that we desire, and ask him for, that are good. Faith also requires action and effort on our part, to do that which is good, working toward all good goals and causes. Though we may not yet see the results of what we desire and work for, faith is knowing that God will bless us in a way that is best for each of us.

Virginia answered…

It is believing in something that can't be seen. But it can be felt.

Chareine answered…

James 1:5 teaches us that faith is substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In my own words, I believe that faith is whenever we do something that we don't know the end result for. It is faith that prompts us to read the scriptures. It is faith that motivates prayer. It is faith that helps us through the challenges and hard times of life--faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We often can't see the end but as we take one step at a time, things begin to become visible to us.

Julie answered…

Faith is a fundamental belief in something that cannot be witnessed with the physical senses. In other words, belief in something you can't see, touch, taste, hear, or smell. It's like knowing that the earth revolves around the sun or that day follows night or that the earth is round or that, after winter, there will be spring. These are all things that most of us take on faith, without really thinking about it.

Jordan answered…

 For me faith is power. It is action based on belief. I believe faith without works is dead, but in the same token works without faith is useless. I see it like a muscle. I have to exercise and use my faith. Otherwise it will just fade away and be overrun by doubt. True faith is based only in our Savior Jesus Christ. Faith in Him leads us to salvation. I also believe trusting in His promises is a big part of faith as well. If He says, "Ask and you shall receive." We better believe it. Without doubt.

Tom answered…

Faith is knowing the sun will rise, lighting each new day. Faith is like a little seed, when planted it will grow.

Rebekah Webb answered…

Faith is believing in something, without actually seeing it. Faith is something that has to be built on, it is something that has to be added to. I love the story of faith that Alma teaches from the Book of Mormon. He was a missionary telling all those interested in listening to him about how Faith starts. He says first we have to want to have faith, to desire it, and then he says faith is like a mustard seed so tiny that has to be planted in good soil and watered every day, with sunshine to grow. It has to be tended to everyday. I feel the importance of growing my faith every day and I feel it growing when I read my scriptures and when I pray. When I allow myself to be open to experiences that will help my faith grow. I had my first experience with faith when I was younger, and I would pay my tithing, and always have my needs met. I lived with my parents so I wasn't really struggling but I was able to find work so that I could have money for myself and save up for college. Faith can be a powerful thing if we just let ourselves believe, and add to our beliefs every day.

Jarrett answered…

Faith is a hope for things which we can't see, but are true hope is a desire or feeling of confidence that things will turn out for the better However, faith and hope aren't just blind feelings. The prophet Alma invites us to take an "expirement" of faith, and when sincerely do that, we will find the fruits and our faith and hope will grow stronger.

David answered…

Faith is not a perfect knowledge. It is a perfect hope for things and blessings that we can recieve as we act and do the things the Lord has asked us to do. When we have faith we have to show it. Faith alone cannot bring forth the blessings we desire. It is the works that we do because of faith that does this. (James 2:17-18)

Jason answered…

To have faith is to “hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (see Book of Mormon, Alma 32:21 and Hebrews 11:1). Each day you act upon things you hope for, even before you see the end result. This is similar to faith.
Faith in God is more than a theoretical belief in Him. To have faith in God is to trust Him, to have confidence in Him, and to be willing to act on your belief in Him. It is a principle of action and power.
The Book of Mormon prophet Alma compared faith to a seed. If you plant a seed and nourish it, if it is a good seed it will grow and eventually bear fruit (Alma 32:28-43). It is the same with faith. If you are obedient to God’s commandments, study His word, and have a desire to believe in Christ, faith will grow inside of you.

Jeffrey answered…

To have faith is to “hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (see Book of Mormon, Alma 32:21 and Hebrews 11:1). Each day you act upon things you hope for, even before you see the end result. This is similar to faith.
Faith in God is more than a theoretical belief in Him. To have faith in God is to trust Him, to have confidence in Him, and to be willing to act on your belief in Him. It is a principle of action and power.
The Book of Mormon prophet Alma compared faith to a seed. If you plant a seed and nourish it, if it is a good seed it will grow and eventually bear fruit (Alma 32:28-43). It is the same with faith. If you are obedient to God’s commandments, study His word, and have a desire to believe in Christ, faith will grow inside of you.

Kathy answered…

Faith to me is totally trusting that what you have prayed for with a sincere heart and not for monetary things either, will come true. It may not be answered the way you want it answered but it will be answered in the way the Lord feels will be best for us. We need to concentrate on what our basic needs are and not the wants. There is a difference. You have to believe that the Lord will help you. He will never turn his back on you even if you turn yours on him. He loves us unconditionally. For that, I will always be grateful.

Jake answered…

faith is not to have a perfect knolwledge of things. but to hope for things witch arent seen witch are true. see alma 32 21 its really simple if you think about it.

Travis answered…

Faith is knowing something is true or real, even without seeing it or touching it. Just as you have faith that you will wake up in the morning, you can have faith that God lives, and that Jesus Christ is our Savior.
To have faith, all you need is a desire alma 3227 in the book of mormon. That desire alone will give you the faith necessary to trust in the power of prayer and in your Heavenly Father's ability to answer those prayers. As you learn to pray and feel good when you do it, your faith will grow and even though you don't see God, you will KNOW that he is there.

James answered…

Faith if hope in things not seen. I have faith in Heavenly Father (God), His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. I have never seen these individuals. I have faith in their existence because of the tangible and intangible blessings I have received. My actions or works, is an outwardly expression of my faith.

Roberta answered…

Faith is believing that Jesus Christ will do everything he says he will do. Faith is believing the message the angels and prophets have declared about him. I have faith that Jesus Christ will do everything he has promised. I have faith that the angels and prophets speak the words of Jesus Christ. So, I try to live my life in harmony with that message.

Don answered…

Faith is a belief in spiritual truths that are not necessarily physically obvious. And in exercising this faith, acting upon and sharing with others, miracles can occur. Challenges can be overcome and strength can be gained from challenges. A belief in things not seen that are true.

Scott answered…

Faith may be one of the most difficult concepts of the gospel to really understand. I have learned that you must think of faith as verb. Faith is found in the things that we do, our thoughts and our actions. When we do the things that Jesus asks of us, to live in righteousness, to be kind and to serve our fellow man, trusting that in so doing we will qualify for promised blessings; when we act upon the promptings of the Holy Ghost which will always lead us to repent and to improve, then we experience the miracle of Christ's atonement to take away our sins and we are empowered by Him to become better people. Faith is not a noun. It is not something we can have or hold. It is a verb and it is found in the choices we make and the actions we take.

Dennis Dean Steinhour answered…

Faith can be described as a conviction that something ‘is’ without physical evidence, an intuitive truth if you will.
As a Mormon faith to me is an insight or knowledge given to me by the Holy Spirit to guide me and teach me the truth of what is around me. I have ‘faith’ that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God based on the testimony given into my mind by the Holy Spirit. I am able to recognize this truth through communication of Spirit to spirit because the process is tried and true over years of personal prophecy and revelation in my life.
Having faith can therefore be considered to be a confidence embedded within you that God is real, that his Son Jesus Christ is real; therefore you have confidence in Them so as to take action in your life to follow their teachings and examples.

David! answered…

 To me, faith is courage and optimism. A person of faith has the courage to rise above the hardships, doubts, and discouragements of life knowing that the Lord wants us--His children--to be happy, optimistic, and successful.

Jackson answered…

Faith is like trust. If the dentist asks me to open wider, he doesn't need to explain why immediately. When our Father in Heaven asks us to do things we must trust or have faith that he knows something that will ultimately be in our best eternal interest. This trust will lead us to action, in that action we are exercising faith.

Jackie answered…

Faith is knowing the sun will rise. Faith is knowing God created the sun. Faith is knowing God created me. I believe in a loving God, one who knows when I'm sick with pneumonia even though I told my doctor I don't drink alcohol or smoke and I'm young --isn't thirty the new twenty?

When I got sick I prayed more than I had before. I prayed that I wouldn't die. I read the Bible story of how king Hezekiah asked the Lord to heal him when the prophet Isaiah told him he wouldn't live through his illness. I had a desire to keep living. I had a desire to do better with my life little by little.

My faith grew in small steps as small miracles took place in my life. A new doctor called my home around 8pm at night and talked with me about my medical charts. He said, "He was on call and just noticed a few things." I was surprised that he would take the time to help me when he didn't even know me --and at 8 at night! Next, a friend stopped by to see how I was doing and offered to help in any way she could. My husband asked her if she could watch our children while we went to the emergency room. She said yes. Then my aunt was able to come and take care of my family when my husband went back to work and I was still recovering. I didn't know she had also had pneumonia when she was younger. She knew exactly how to help me.

I know those small miracles came from God. I have faith that when I get sick again, God will help me. Faith is believing and trusting in God.

Kord answered…

 Faith is something that you hope for, but can't see. For example, I have faith that there is wind. I can't see it, but I can feel it's effects. It's much the same with God as well. I can't see Him, but I can feel His loving influence in my life. When you have faith in your life, you also tend to have an optimistic attitude, and rely on God for aid in your struggles. You are more grateful for things that you receive, and recognize answers to your prayers quite often. You are driven to do your very best for God, because you have faith that He will help you accomplish anything that you need to do. Faith always is accompanied by a bright hope for the future, as well as a pure love for every single one of God's children.

Rhodes answered…

The best way I've come to understand and explain faith, is "belief in action." I can believe that God will answer my prayers before I pray. I can believe that the Bible and the Book of Mormon are His words recorded by prophets which will teach me about God and His Gospel. I can believe that in my current physical condition I can jog a mile. But if I never actually pray, I will never get an answer. If I never read the scriptures, I will never know what is in them nor what they teach of the gospel. If I never try to run the mile, I will never be able to say that I did. Faith is trusting in God and doing what he asks; what he commands. Just because we can't see him, and the world can't always provide "evidence," as they would claim, on certain subjects of the gospel, does not mean he does not exist or that something recorded in scripture is not true. Sometimes, faith is not faith until it's all you're holding on to. We have to trust that he will hold our hand while we are in the dark, and only He can see.

Daniel answered…

Faith is everything. More and more people are casting religion aside, picking certain chains of logic or past experience to "prove" why religion is just an invention of society. That's where faith comes in. Faith, by it's very nature, is something that can't be proven. It's the line drawn in the sand. Every single reason someone can think of to not believe in God, or eternal families, or Christ as Redeemer, can be answered by faith. It will never exist on the same plane as logic and evidence, since then it would exist to be. Faith enables miracles, change, charity amidst conflict, and all of the other possible blessing that exist within the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Dave Hand answered…

Before I converted, I saw what I considered good things in my mormon friends' lives, things I frankly envied. I asked " How can I have those things too?" The answers required certain actions on my part. I had to believe those actions would actually bring the desired result. But, more importantly, I had to act. So I started with study and prayer, fully expecting answers and inspiration which did surely come. I continued building on my faith, I was baptised by one having authority, and I recieved the Holy Ghost. I was ordained to the Priesthood, labored in many callings and continued to seek and recieve greater knowledge and blessings. I recieved the blessings of the temple, have raised my family and continue to ask, recieve, and act.

Today I enjoy all of those things that first stirred my interest in the church, and much more. The seed was good and it's fruit is delicious. The difference in my life was that I acted on correct principles as they came to me. I did not turn my back, I did not let anything keep me from moving forward. I acted, and I expect to continue acting throughout my life.

Captain Morgan answered…

Faith is Hoping for something that is not seen, but is true. The first principle of the Gospel is Faith in Jesus Christ.

Jacquelyn answered…

The Book of Mormon compares this to a seed. First you have to hope, honestly hope, that there is a meaning to life. Next you need to practice belief. That means that even though you don't know for sure you have more than hope but a belief that it is true so you will do what is taught. Faith is often confusing. Try using the word faithful every time you see faith. We are saved by grace though faith or faithfulness.

When you ask someone about their faith they usually tell you what they do. Practices and worship.

Unlike things in the world the Lord works very differently. He asks us to do things before we get blessings. Paying tithing is a good example. First you pay tithing, you're not guaranteed you wont have any financial hardships, but you are promised after faithfully paying at some point you will be blessed. In the world it is opposite. We have set rewards. If I buy a car on credit I can leave with it that day. I don't have to wait. I have it and will pay later. The Lord wants us to be faithful first. There isn't a contract with the Bishop saying he'll reimburse us if we become bankrupt. The Lord wants us to prove our faith by obedience.

Knowledge comes last. Remember Joseph Smith said ALL revelations he had can be had by ALL members. God is no respecter of persons. But you have to be faithful first before you have great blessings. So I would say this... If you were to have a vision of the Saviors birth, life, death, and resurrection wouldn't that be supreme truth?

But we don't receive these things because "we want them really bad", but a reward for faithful obedience. Remember miracles don't produce faith, but come because of faith.

Monte answered…

I heard this definition in church recently, and I just love it: "Hope is positive thinking. Faith is positive action."

Faith, for me, is not merely belief. It's much more than that. Faith is what you do because you believe.

Daniel answered…

faith is not to see and know, it is to not see and believe without a shadow of a doubt

Gary T. answered…

Faith is not just a principle of religion. We use simple faith in our everyday lives.

For example, we use faith that our employers will pay us after we have worked for a period of time. We use faith as we drive a car, and pass safely by other vehicles going at high speeds.

We also have faith in people, especially in people like our friends and families. Why else would we associate with anyone if we didn’t have faith that something good would come of the relationship? Most adults understand that all meaningful relationships require patience and effort before we ever develop lasting relationships.

Likewise, faith in God also requires a little effort, and usually requires a little (or maybe a lot) of patience. Most Mormons understand that you can’t experience a relationship with God without first having made a concerted effort to obtain faith. The nice thing is, God will recognize any sincere effort at being faithful. You just have to take a small step into the unknown before God will reward your faithfulness.

Having faith in God requires that you take a necessary first step. One of my favorite analogies on faith compares faith in God to planting a seed. You will never get a plant to grow unless you make the effort to plant the seed, and believe it’s worth the effort to plant the seed. Once the seed begins to grow, you know that it was a good seed. If it was a good seed, then you can expect to get something good from the plant, as long as you take care of the plant.

Developing faith in God is no different. You must take the first step of faith. Believe that God exists, then take the next step and ask God in sincere prayer. Ask him whatever you think is important to know. For example, ask Him if He loves you and if He has a plan for you. Or, read the Book of Mormon and pray sincerely to know if it is truth or a hoax. God will reward you if you show faith, but only if you take the first step to plant the seed of faith.

As one who has witnessed first-hand God’s willingness to reward faithfulness, I can testify that having faith in God is wonderful. Additionally, I can testify that God has rewarded my faith with peace…peace of mind, peace of conscience, and peace within my soul.

I testify from my heart of hearts, being limited by the constraints of the written word, that there is a kind, benevolent, loving Heavenly Father who knows me personally, and knows my weaknesses and strengths, and like any good parent, gives me challenges to grow, but will never challenge me beyond what I can’t handle.

Brendon answered…

Faith to me is, jumping into something you are not sure of, Its something that we cant be sure of because we dont know how it works, where it comes from, or why it even happens. But I guess the biggest part is that it does happen. We just have to be willing to pick it up and run with it. I know that as we learn and grow faith is something that comes over time. It cant all come at once but, a little at a time. I know that as we take that leap of faith god will catch us.

Granger answered…

Faith is taking that first step forward knowing that something good will come of it. it is a principle of action. like a light switch. youo know that it turns the light on but it does not come on unless you get up and turn it on. Faith is the same way you have to do something about.