What is Faith?

Tonight, Elder Henderson taught on the word Faith. 

Before we try to understand what faith is, let's first explore what faith isn't.  Some people think it is a form of belief or religion, like "I belong to the Christian Faith".  While it's true that the word can be used that way, that's not the kind of faith you need to actually BE a Christian.  Some people also confuse faith with hope.  It is good to hope for things, but if you never do anything about it you don't have the faith that is required to make those hopes a reality.  Faith is not hope, faith requires hope + action.

Here's an example from scripture:

James 2: 14-19 
14 What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

In verse 16, hoping that someone has warm clothes to wear and food to eat is very nice, but actually supplying the food & clothes is a lot closer to the real meaning of faith.  Also, notice in verse 19 that the devils have a belief in one God, but that belief alone can not save them.  Simply believing in God is not enough, some action is required on your part before you can actually be saved.

So what is faith?  It is believing in something so confidently that you base your actions upon those beliefs.  Faith causes you not only to hope and believe, but to take action.

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

Some synonyms for substance include significance, reality, actuality.  Faith makes hope become real.

Mark 11:22-23
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

If you have faith in God, he will help you move the mountains, or problems, out of your life.  Try adding some faith to your hopes and beliefs and see just how far God will take you!