Faith
Definition
Faith in the Book of Mormon is practical trust that produces action in the face of the unknown. It is not mere intellectual assent but an active orientation toward God. The text’s most famous definition comes from Alma: “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). Faith is described as a seed that must be planted, nourished, and allowed to grow — an organic process, not a one-time decision.
Where It Appears
Faith is everywhere in the narrative. Nephi’s “I will go and do” is faith in action. The brother of Jared’s faith is so powerful that he sees the finger of the Lord. Alma’s discourse on faith (Alma 32) is the text’s most systematic treatment, using the seed metaphor to explain how faith works: plant the word, if it is good it will swell and grow, and eventually produce fruit. Mormon’s epistle on faith, hope, and charity (Moroni 7) frames faith as the foundation of the Christian virtues. Moroni’s closing promise makes faith the prerequisite for receiving a witness of the book’s truth.
Narrative and Theological Function
Faith is the engine of the miraculous. Every extraordinary event in the Book of Mormon — from retrieving the brass plates to surviving the final wars — is attributed to faith. Faith makes the impossible possible. But the text also distinguishes faith from knowledge: faith operates in the gap between what is known and what is hoped for. The promise is that faith, properly nourished, will eventually become knowledge — “the fruit thereof” is certainty.
Relationship to Other Concepts
Faith produces action (works): faith is alive when it moves the believer to act. Faith creates receptivity to revelation: God communicates with the faithful. Faith is sustained by sacred memory: remembering past deliverances strengthens present faith.
In Comparative Context
The Book of Mormon’s treatment of faith is distinctive in its pragmatism. Alma 32 is almost a spiritual experiment: “try the experiment” of planting the word and see what grows. This experiential, almost empirical framing of faith — try it and see if it works — gives it a practical dimension that distinguishes it from more abstract theological treatments of faith.