Faith vs. Knowledge – con’t

Which comes first, faith or knowledge?

Is faith a vague uncertain hope in something that, with proper attention grows into knowledge? Or is faith something that grows based on a foundation of knowledge?

Faith, as I understand it, carries two levels of commitment and two levels of knowledge. The first level is that of action. You exercise your faith that you may receive an answer, direction, confirmation, clarity, or greater knowledge. In order to exercise said faith, it must be based on something.

In Alma 32:26 Alma explains that faith (lower level) is not to have a perfect knowledge. What kind of knowledge is not perfect? An imperfect knowledge. Therefore, Alma is exhorting us forward to exercise a particle of faith (v. 27) in that area we desire greater confidence or in that area we want an answer.

In verse 28 he uses logical and empirical reasoning to explain the process of using existing knowledge to act upon the desire of the heart. (Notice how both heart and mind are involved.)

Verse 29 is almost Isaiah like in its application. “Now behold, would not this increase your faith?” You could literally replace the word faith with the word knowledge. Then he governs his rhetorical question with a faith gradient, explaining you are still working on the lower level of faith.

Verse 34 time warps you into the genesis of God-level faith. “And now, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in THAT thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you KNOW…”

You move from faith based upon imperfect knowledge to faith based upon perfect knowledge. Beginning or mortal faith is a tool used to gain knowledge that the church is true, the Book of Mormon is translated by the power and gift of God, and that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God.

Exalting faith allows a human the vision to see through the veil and the faith to move mountains. “…Because of thy FAITH thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast;…” (Ether 12:9)

And verse 30 of Ether 12 – “For the brother of Jared said unto the mountain Zerin,”Remove—and it was removed. And if he had not had FAITH it would not have moved;…”

Both of these examples indicate a perfect knowledge in that specific miracle. And yet there is still greater faith, not a higher level, but a more encompassing ability. Ability must therefore mean knowledge, for it is only a dearth of knowledge that keeps us from exercising greater faith.

For by faith the worlds are made and miracles are wrought. (Lectures on Faith 3:2-5) This is the ultimate in exercising faith, creating worlds and spirits without end, and the performing of miracles for the edification of man. Note that God never performs miracles that enable man. We must develop our own faith. His miracles are designed to intercede when man cannot for himself.

Therefore, faith is the child of knowledge. (McConkie, Bruce R. A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, pg. 166.) Faith is for those who already have knowledge. Faith cannot exist until there is knowledge. And FAITH is POWER. There is no power in falsehood.

For every exalted being, faith will grow and dwell independently. We will be exalted as a couple, husband and wife, but we must first become independent in our perfect faith in order to be exalted interdependently, as one.