Faith and Knowledge

When I sat down this morning, I was planning to read Alma 32 and to think about the tree, about the need to consistently nourish the tender plant. But the following scripture, found earlier in the same chapter, caught my attention first.

Alma said, "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." (Alma 32: 21)

In my experience, I have observed that some people misunderstand the meaning of this verse, mistakenly believing that Alma's intention is to stifle the desire to go beyond faith to seek a perfect knowledge of things. Clearly, Alma is teaching that we should not seek a sign; that we should not withhold belief in the things of Christ because we have not seen with our natural eyes. Yet, a message integral to all scripture is that prophets of God have seen with their eyes, heard with the ears, touched with their hands, etc.

For example, Nephi gained a testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost that his father Lehi's words were true.

"I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers." (1 Nephi 4: 16)

Then having gained that testimony, he took it many steps forward.

“And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him….” (1 Nephi 10: 17)

As Nephi ponders on these things, he is caught up by the Spirit into a high mountain, from which he is shown a mighty vision, guided by an Angel who instructs him and answers his questions. The extent of Nephi’s vision and the knowledge he gained are beyond even the scope of the Book of Mormon. God forbade Nephi to record large portions of what he saw and experienced, although he was assured that other prophets had also been shown “all things” and that at least one had been ordained to write it all down. (See 1 Nephi 15: 26)

In my personal life, I am far from immediately desiring what Nephi desired. I have a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I have knowledge of some things, and faith in what the Lord or his prophets have said concerning the rest. Nevertheless, Nephi’s example is an invitation. I am sure of that. The same invitation is repeated often by the example and the direct instruction of other prophets throughout the ages.