Of Faith

The word "faith" is almost universally understood as a religious term. The athiest and secularist alike hear the word faith and think of the individual who believes in an unseen power, with little consideration to the application of the word in their own life. Among the religious, faith itself is defined in as many ways as there are religions.

Early in his ministry, Joseph Smith taught a class titled, "Of Faith," and while it is no longer studied closely in the LDS church, it provided the foundation for what was and continues to be a revolutionary approach to the concept of faith.

Seven lectures delivered in Kirtland, Ohio in the winter of 1834-35 are compiled in a book that is now titled Lectures on Faith. The lectures defined what faith is, the object on which faith rests, and the effects which flow from faith.

The first lecture begins with the scripture from Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance [assurance] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." He then calls faith the "principle of action in all intelligent beings." The secularist, the self-classified athiest, or the unbeliever is taught first that faith applies to all, and is better understood when viewed in that light. He teaches:

If men were duly to consider themselves, and turn their thoughts and reflections to the operations of their own minds, they would readily discover that it is faith, and faith only, which is the moving cause of all action in them; that without it both mind and body would be in a state of inactivity, and all their exertions would cease, both physical and mental.

Were this class to go back and reflect upon the history of their lives, from the period of their first recollection, and ask themselves what principle excited them to action, or what gave them energy and activity in all their lawful avocations, callings, and pursuits, what would be the answer? Would it not be that it was the assurance which they had of the existence of things which they had not seen as yet? Was it not the hope which you had, in consequence of your belief in the existence of unseen things, which stimulated you to action and exertion in order to obtain them? Are you not dependent on your faith, or belief, for the acquisition of all knowledge, wisdom, and intelligence? Would you exert yourselves to obtain wisdom and intelligence, unless you did believe that you could obtain them?...In a word, is there anything that you would have done, either physical or mental, if you had not previously believed? Are not all your exertions of every kind, dependent on your faith? Or, may we not ask, what have you, or what do you posess, which you have not obtained by reason of your faith? Your food, your raiment, your lodgings, are they not all by reason of your faith? Reflect, and ask yourselves if these things are not so. Turn your thoughts on your own minds, and see if faith is not the moving cause of all action in yourselves; and, if the moving case in you, is it not in all other intelligent beings?

And as faith is the moving cause of all action in temporal concerns, so it is in spiritual...

As we receive by faith all temporal blessings that we do receive, so we in like manner receive by faith all spiritual blessings that we do receive.
(Lectures on Faith, by Joseph Smith, Deseret Book Company, 1985, pgs 1-3.)

It is faith in the spiritual, or the unseen, that is the focus of the remaining lectures. The lectures are a great read for those who do not believe but want to better understand those who do, and it is also a wonderful introduction to the first principle of the Gospel as believed and practiced by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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See also: BYU series on the Lectures on Faith

'Major Discovery'

This article cites a new discovery, the 1831 edition of the Book of Commandments & Revelations, found recently in the church's archives. After reading the article, you are probably wondering how you can get your hands on the book?! The author seems to skip over the most important find of the book, which is the fact that it contains seven revelations not included in the modern canon of the church. It may be that some of these revelations are contained in our historical record and that is why more information isn't provided in the article. But if they are not to be found anywhere in available church history, then they will surely be gems to enrich our understanding of the early days of the restoration. In either case, it looks like we will probably see it in an upcoming "Revelations and Translations" volume of the Joseph Smith Papers project.

Speaking of which, the Joseph Smith Papers project is much more popular than I think anyone intended it to be. If you want to purchase the next volume (at a steep cost of $99), you have to pre-order by June 1 in order to guarantee receiving it in September! The staff at Deseret Book told me that they have all been surprised by the many orders they have received, and that it is by far the most popular seller in their store. It's a beautiful thing that there is so much interest in Joseph Smith's original writings. For a teaser into the Joseph Smith Papers project, you can watch BYU TV online, and find two 1/2 hr shows airing each Monday from 5pm to 6pm. The web site allows you to scroll back over weeks and weeks of programming. This particular show has been around for at least a month. The series is really fascinating, and I would like to see them fold the series into a DVD sometime in the future.

We live in a truly remarkable age when so much Gospel-related material is readily available. The historians in the series even say as much as they describe the technological advances that have made the Joseph Smith Papers project possible.

Mormon Radio

In the last year, I have wondered why there is no LDS radio station. When I flip through the AM & FM bands I hear a lot of religious stations, mostly evangelical Christian and non-denominational. I also saw a bumper sticker recently for a Catholic radio station, although I haven't heard that one yet. I have thought about it to the point that I wondered how I could start a station on the cheap that just played on a loop General Conference talks, BYU scripture roundtable discussions, and other firesides. There is plenty of church material that has been produced over the years that could easily fill years of unique programming. Well, I don't have to think about that any longer because now the Church has started, "Mormon Channel" on HD Radio. Check it out! The next step is getting a dedicated channel in Sacramento! And I'll hold out hope that Mormon Channel 2.0 will include a talk station that allows for Q&A.

Joseph Smith and Mathematics

James Arlington Bennet was an "unscrupulous opportunist" who, despite no sincere desire to become a member of the LDS church, he hoped to one day succeed Joseph Smith as its leader. He didn't hide his feelings about his lack of religiosity, either. In a letter to Joseph Smith, dated Oct. 24, 2843, Bennet said,

"I am capable of being a most undeviating friend, without being governed by the smallest religious influence.

"As you have proved yourself to be a philosophical divine, you will excuse me when I say that we must leave their influence to the mass. The boldness of your plans and measures, together with their unparalleled success so far, are calculated to throw a charm over your whole being, and to point you out as the most extraordinary man of the present age.

"But my mind is of so mathematical and philosophical a cast, that the divinity of Moses makes no impression on me, and you will not be offended when I say that I rate you higher as a legislator than I do Moses, because we have you present with us for examination, whereas Moses derives his chief authority from prescription and the lapse of time.

"I cannot, however, say but you are both right, it being out of the power of man to prove you wrong. It is no mathematical problem, and can therefore get no mathematical solution."

How would you answer Bennet's claim that religion lies outside of the realm of provability like mathematics? While the rest of Bennet's letter focused on other business, Joseph responded with a rather lengthy treatment on the subject of mathematics and religion. The entire letter, not included here, is a great read and reveals a strong testimony from the Prophet.

---Selections from Joseph Smith's History of the Church, Vol. 6, pages 73-78:

"DEAR SIR:--

"I proceed to answer you, and shall leave you to meditate whether 'mathematical problems,' founded upon the truth of revelation, or religion as promulgated by me, or by Moses, can be solved by rules and principles existing in the systems of common knowledge...

"The boldness of my plans and measures can readily be tested by the touchstone of all schemes, systems, projects, and adventures--truth; for truth is a matter of fact; and the fact is, that by the power of God I translated the Book of Mormon from hieroglyphics, the knowledge of which was lost to the world, in which wonderful event I stood alone, an unlearned youth, to combat the worldly wisdom and multiplied ignorance of eighteen centuries, with a new revelation...

"[T]ruth is mighty and must prevail, and that one man empowered from Jehovah has more influence with the children of the kingdom than eight hundred millions led by the precepts of men. God exalts the humble, and debases the haughty.

"It seems that your mind is of such 'a mathematical and philosophical cast,' that the divinity of Moses makes no impression upon you, and that I will not be offended when you say that you rate me higher as a legislator than you do Moses, because you have me present with you for examination; that 'Moses derives his chief authority from prescription and the lapse of time.' You cannot, however, say but we are both right, it being out of the power of man to prove us wrong. 'It is no mathematical problem, and can therefore get no mathematical solution.'

"Now, sir, to cut the matter short, and not dally with your learned ideas, for fashion's sake you have here given your opinion, without reserve, that revelation, the knowledge of God, prophetic vision, the truth of eternity, cannot be solved as a mathematical problem. The first question then is, What is a mathematical problem? and the natural answer is, A statement, proposition or question that can be solved, ascertained, unfolded or demonstrated by knowledge, facts or figures; for 'mathematical' is an adjective derived from mathesis (Gr.), meaning, in English, learning or knowledge. 'Problem' is derived from probleme (French), or problema (Italian, or Spanish), and in each language means a question or proposition, whether true or false. 'Solve' is derived from the Latin verb 'solvo,' to explain or answer.

"One thing more in order to prove the work as we proceed. It is necessary to have witnesses, two or three of whose testimonies, according to the laws or rules of God and man, are sufficient to establish any one point.

"Now for the question. How much are one and one? Two. How much is one from two? One. Very well; one question or problem is solved by figures. Now, let me ask one for facts; Was there ever such a place on the earth as Egypt? Geography says yes; ancient history says yes; and the Bible says yes: so three witnesses have solved that question. Again: Lived there ever such a man as Moses in Egypt? The same witnesses reply, Certainly. And was he a Prophet? The same witnesses, or a part, have left on record that Moses predicted in Leviticus that if Israel broke the covenant they had made, the Lord would scatter them among the nations, till the land enjoyed her Sabbaths' and, subsequently, these witnesses have testified of their captivity in Babylon and other places, in fulfillment. But to make assurance doubly sure, Moses prays that the ground might open and swallowup Korah and his company for transgression, and it was so: and he endorses the prophecy of Balaam, which said, Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city: and Jesus Christ, as Him that 'had dominion,' about fifteen hundred years after, in accordance with this and the prediction of Moses, David, Isaiah, and many others, came, saying, Moses wrote of me, declaring the dispersion of the Jews, and the utter destruction of the city; and the Apostles were his witnesses, unimpeached, especially Jude, who not only endorses the facts of Moses 'divinity,' but also the events of Balaam and Korah, with many others, as true...

"[I]f you had been as well acquainted with your God and Bible as with your purse and pence table, the divinity of Moses would have dispelled the fog of five thousand years and filled you with light; for facts, like diamonds, not only cut glass, but they are the most precious jewels on earth. The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus.

"The world at large is ever ready to credit the writings of Homer, Hesiod, Plutarch, Socrates, Pythagoras, Virgil, Josephus, Mahomet, and an hundred others; but where, tell me, where, have they left a line--a simple method of solving the truth of the plan of eternal life? Says the Savior, 'If any man will do his [the Father's] will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.' Here, then, is a method of solving the divinity of men by the divinity within yourself, that as far exceeds the calculations of numbers as the sun exceeds a candle. Would to God that all men understood it and were willing to be governed by it, that when one had filled the measure of his days, he could exclaim like Jesus, Veni mori, et reviviscere!...

"The summit of your future fame seems to be hid in the political Policy of a 'mathematical problem' for the chief magistracy of this state, which I suppose might be solved by 'double position,' where the errors of the supposition are used to produce a true answer...

"Shall I, who have witnessed the visions of eternity, and beheld the glorious mansions of bliss, and the regions and the misery of the damned,--shall I turn to be a Judas? Shall I, who have heard the voice of God, and communed with angels, and spake as moved by the Holy Ghost for the renewal of the everlasting covenant, and for the gathering of Israel in the last days,--shall I worm myself into a political hypocrite? Shall I, who hold the keys of the last kingdom, in which is the dispensation of the fullness of all things spoken by the mouths of all the holy Prophets since the world began, under the sealing power of the Melchizedek Priesthood,--shall I stoop from the sublime authority of Almighty God, to be handled as a monkey's cat-paw, and pettify myself into a clown to act the farce of political demagoguery? No--verily no! The whole earth shall bear me witness that I, like the towering rock in the midst of the ocean, which has withstood the mighty surges of the warring waves for centuries, am impregnable, and am a faithful friend to virtue, and a fearless foe to vice,--no odds whether the former was sold as a pearl in Asia or hid as a gem in America, and the latter dazzles in palaces or glimmers among the tombs.

"I combat the errors of ages; I meet the violence of mobs; I cope with illegal proceedings from executive authority; I cut the guardian knot of powers. and I solve mathematical problems of universities, with truth--diamond truth; and God is my 'right hand man.'...

"With due consideration and respect, I have the honor to be

"Your most obedient servant, JOSEPH SMITH."

The senses & eternity

The King Follett discourse is famous primarily because of the claim that Joseph Smith made when he presented to the Saints the bold doctrine about the destiny of man. I marvel that the sermon was given just two months prior to the young Prophet's martyrdom (he was only 38).

In the discourse, the principle of intelligence is taught, which is a fascinating doctrine in itself that I could devote a lot of time to on this site. Joseph ties the principle of intelligence to salvation, or living eternally with God.

Before this life, he explains, "God himself, finding he was in the midst of spirits and glory, because he was more intelligent, saw proper to institute laws whereby the rest could have a privilege to advance like himself. The relationship we have with God places us in a situation to advance in knowledge."

He goes on by saying that the laws God put into place instruct the "weaker intelligences, that they may be exalted with Himself so that they might have one glory upon another, and all that knowledge, power, glory, and intelligence, which is requisite in order to save them in the world of spirits."

At this point in the sermon, Joseph pauses to reflect on the way to know, understand, and comprehend true doctrines. He does this by appealing to a sense we typically do not associate with the way God speaks to our souls. He continues:

"This is good doctrine. It tastes good. I can taste the principles of eternal life, and so can you. They are given to me by the revelations of Jesus Christ; and I know that when I tell you these words of eternal life as they are given to me, you taste them, and I know that you believe them. You say honey is sweet, and so do I. I can also taste the spirit of eternal life. I know that it is good; and when I tell you of these things which were given me by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, you are bound to receive them as sweet, and rejoice more and more."

Can you taste that? It calls to mind the scriptural command to "feast," whether it be temporally under the Mosaic Law, or in the spiritual sense as cited here, here and here.

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All quotes from Joseph Smith's History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 312.

Altura?

It's best to first explain what "Altura" means and then I'll get going with my first official post. In the mid-nineties I served an LDS mission in Portugal. As I became immersed in the language and culture, I was fascinated with words that had no direct English translation. One such case is the word, "altura," which has several different meanings. Its various definitions can refer to altitude, time, and stature, among other things. I'm having a hard time finding a good Portuguese definition online, so I found a Spanish translation of the same word:

altura [al-too’-rah]

noun

1. Height, loftiness. (f)

2. One of the three dimensions of a solid body. (f)

3. Summit of mountains. (f)

4. Altitude, the elevation of the pole or of any of the heavenly bodies. (f)

5. Exaltation of spirits. (Metaphorical)

• Estar en grande altura -> to be raised to a high degree of dignity, favor, or fortune
• Alturas -> the heavens
• Dios de las alturas -> God, the Lord of the heavens

6. (fig.) Sublimity, loftiness

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My hope is to share a few thoughts on this site that elevate and inspire, and I welcome your participation.

Oh, and Altura is also a city in Winona County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 417 at the 2000 census. All voting citizens from the city of Altura will get special posting privileges from the author.