How is Faith related to Belief?

This is a continuation of the previous post on faith as defined in the scriptures.


As suggested in a comment on the previous post, the Greek word translated as "faith" in the KJV means fundamentally "trust." It seems to me that trust develops in a relationship because it is earned. The evidence or assurance discussed relative to the scriptural definition of faith provides the basis of our trust in God relative to those true things that are, as yet, unseen and that build hope through Jesus Christ. The hope that is consistent with faith is based upon trust in Jesus Christ.

Did you notice, though, that the word "belief" was not in the definition of faith in the previous post? If faith is not belief, then what is the relationship between faith and belief?  Brigham Young teaches us of this relationship.  Quoting from the Discourses of Brigham Young on page 153:

Faith is an eternal principle; belief is an admission of the fact.  Faith, to us, is the gift of God; belief is inherent in the children of men, and is the foundation for the reception of faith.  Belief and unbelief are independent in men, the same as other attributes.  Men can acknowledge or reject, turn to the right or to the left, rise up or remain seated, you can say that the Lord and his Gospel are not worthy of notice, or you can bow to them.

Belief is inherent in the creature—implanted within him for his use and benefit—to believe or disbelieve.  Your own experience may satisfy you that faith is not brought into requisition by the presentation of either facts or falsehoods to the external senses, or to the inward perceptions of the mind.  If we speak of faith in the abstract, it is the power of God by which the worlds are and were made, and is a gift of God to those who believe and obey his commandments.  On the other hand, no living, intelligent being, whether serving God or not, acts without belief.  He might as well undertake to live without breathing as to live without the principle of belief.  But he must believe the truth, obey the truth, and practice the truth, to obtain the power of God called faith.  [emphasis added]

This is probably the biggest point of distinction from the common notion of faith.  Brigham Young makes clear that belief is a trait of individuals and that belief is one of those things we choose through our agency.  Brigham teaches, consistent with the definition of faith presented in the previous post, that God is the source of faith.  He says that faith is a gift of God.  The source of the evidences or assurances that we receive is God.  God reveals his truths through the power of the Holy Ghost or through direct revelation from God the Father, Jesus Christ or angels. 

We progress from that original assurance that we all receive in mortality, the light of Christ, to the gift of the Holy Ghost, communion with the Son and, finally, entry into the presence of the Father.  This is taught in D&C 84 in connection with the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood:

  44 For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.

  45 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

  46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.

  47 And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father.

Brigham Young’s teaching that belief, obedience and practice precede faith is consistent with verse 46 in that only those who hearken to the voice of the voice of the spirit will receive light (= truth = Word of the Lord = Spirit of Jesus Christ).  It is through the Spirit of Jesus Christ, sometimes called the light of Christ, that we begin to be enlightened by truth with the ultimate end of coming to God the Father.

Another example of the relationship between faith and belief is given in Mark 9:14-29.  A man with a son possessed of a “dumb spirit.”  The man had asked Jesus’ disciples to cast out the spirit and they were not able to do so.  Jesus’ response is:

  19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

When the man asks if Jesus will help them, Jesus’ response and the man’s expression of belief are given as:

  23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

  24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

It seems that belief sufficient to rely upon previously obtained faith is important to unlocking the blessing sought from the Lord.  After the spirit that afflicted the boy was cast out the disciples asked why it was that they could not cast out the spirit previously.  Jesus taught:

29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

It would seem that prayer and fasting are necessary to create the faith that was lacking as lamented by Jesus in verse 19.

We can choose to believe, to pray, and to fast, as part of developing faith.  But it is only when we believe and act on truth, given by God, that we have the power of faith.  In the next post I will look at faith as a gift.