Faith is Essential for Salvation
According to Mormon doctrine, faith is the first principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the foundation for a Christ-like life and eternal salvation. The scriptures identify faith as a “hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:21). In an everyday sense, faith is the supreme motivator of action. Day-to-day tasks are begun with the faith that the desired results of those actions will come to pass, in a cause-and-effect relationship. The planted seed of faith, if nurtured, will grow. All who labor have faith that they will reap the rewards of that labor. Biblical accounts proclaim that through faith Noah saved his family from the flood, Moses parted the Red Sea, and Elijah called fire down from heaven. In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Nephi called on the Lord to initiate a famine and ended the famine by the power of faith. Indeed, “by faith all things are fulfilled” (Ether 12:3). Not just miracles, but all things.
Mormon doctrine teaches that faith in Jesus Christ is essential for salvation. Jesus Christ is the only name through which salvation can be obtained. To Mormons, faith is an action word. The believer in Jesus Christ will accordingly be obedient to the commands given by Him. There is no faith without obedience, or obedience without faith. Through the exercise of faith and obedience, the Lord forgives our sins and we may obtain salvation.
The Lord Jesus Christ often compared faith to a mustard seed, “which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs” (Mark 4:31-32). So must our faith in Jesus Christ grow, from the tiniest seed of hope to the power of faith unto salvation. Cultivating this faith requires the same diligent care used in growing a plant or developing a skill. Acting according to our desire for increased faith will make it grow. In the Epistle of James is written how faith will motivate one to action, and good works are the evidence of faith. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 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” (James 2:17-18). According to Mormon doctrine, accepting Jesus Christ as Savior means following the example of Jesus and doing His work. Mormons, however, do not believe that men can be saved through works alone. In the Book of Mormon it says,
For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do (2 Nephi 25:23).
Thus, we work hard to do all we can to follow God’s commands, and then God’s grace makes up for our shortcomings and enables us to obtain salvation.
Prayer is an important part of strengthening faith. Not only is the very act of prayer a show of faith, but the Lord blesses us according to our righteous desires; “ask and ye shall receive” (3 Nephi 27:29). Mormon doctrine explains that the Lord is waiting to bless us, and offering a prayer in faith is an important step to receiving His blessings. Studying the words of the prophets is also essential to strengthen faith in Jesus Christ. For Mormons, study of the Bible is accompanied by other scripture study, too; The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, as well as the words of living prophets. This shows a desire to know the Word of God and to follow it. After becoming familiar with the commandments, and pursuing a sustained study of them, the practice of implementing them in everyday life will strengthen faith through experiencing the blessings of living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Mormon doctrine, based on scriptures, teaches that faith is strengthened by trial (Ether 12). The confirming witness of the Holy Spirit comes after the exercise of faith. Faith precedes the miracle, whether the miracle is parting a sea or receiving a stronger conviction that Jesus is the Christ. Faith is the underlying principle of all action. Faith in Jesus Christ begins with a hope and desire for the salvation promised by the Lord. Then, the obedience prompted by the beginnings of faith will strengthen that faith so that the bearer may obtain all the blessings promised by the Lord.