Trust vs. Faith

Trust and Faith are very similar, but they each have a unique distinction. This paper will illustrate that faith precedes trust and that deep abiding trust is the faith that created the heavens and the earth.

By definition, trust is used as a part of faith. If they were identical, they would be one word. Faith is…

1. A firm belief in something for which there is no proof
2. Complete trust (based upon previous experiences – my addition)

I believe trust is a higher level of faith. By faith, Christ created the worlds. (Hebrews 11:3) Yet, we are commanded to have the faith of a small seed, planted within our heart. (The faith in Alma 32 is not the same faith that Christ used to create the world.) These are clearly two levels of faith.

When Nephi went to his Father during the broken bow incident (1 Nephi 16:18), it was out of the hope and the basic level of faith found in Alma 32. It was also out of protocol. Nephi was giving away his faith/trust in his father.

He was going to his father who was the Lord’s appointed. Nephi’s faith was the key. Nephi also knew he could inquire of the Lord to get the answer on his own.

We are commanded to be as little children because little children are blessed with the capacity to trust at birth, especially in the Lord. We are also counseled to be as little children, in all ways. This is not an excuse to be immature, but rather to carry the Christ-like traits of a child. Which means we ask questions as little children, with no guile, with no intent on proving we are right, and it means we do don’t judge others.

In business, we use the terms trust and respect together. In order to gain the respect of another, you must first respect yourself. Trust is completely different. In order to gain the trust of another, you must first give it away.

If a person is not worthy of trust, then perhaps you practice the first level of faith as found in Alma 32 and you give away the hope they will come through.

Examples

Here are a couple of examples to consider:

1)            Let’s say your teenage daughter is going to her first prom. Her date calls up and explains that a complete floor at the hotel, where the dance is being held, has been rented so everybody can stay at the hotel together, in separate rooms. Better yet, no parents will be there to chaperone. What do you do?

Is now a time for unconditional trust? Or is the faith of a small seed more appropriate? Does either make sense? When does common sense, given to us by deity, play a role?

If we are to have unconditional trust, why do we have rules about dating? Why do we concern ourselves with the friends of our children that don’t keep our standards? The Word of Wisdom was given to man “…with a promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all the saints…” (D&C 89:3)

This is not unconditional trust. The Lord knows our capacity and boundaries. He will not give us a trial beyond our capacity to bear the trial. This is common sense, not unconditional trust.

2)            Ammon, after experiencing the conversion of Lamoni and his wife, is beseeched by Lamoni to travel with him to the Land of Nephi to preach the gospel to King Laman, King over all the Lamanites. What an opportunity! The son of the great king, who is now a member of the church, will introduce Ammon. Peace between the Lamanites and the Nephites could potentially come to pass.

Ammon inquires of the Lord and is commanded to go to Middoni instead. Going to Middoni makes no sense vs. gaining an audience before the great king. But Ammon obeys and goes to Middoni.

What level of faith did he exercise? 1) A firm belief in something for which there is no proof. 2) Complete trust, based upon previous experience.

I submit Ammon exercised intellectual faith or should we say trust, because Ammon had a basis for his actions. He had been blessed by the Lord many times before and he knew, based upon those experiences, that complete trust was appropriate.

A level 2 faith or trust is not appropriate when the past history does not warrant such actions. We are taught to protect our boundaries and not enable others, but if we have unconditional faith or trust, where it is not earned, it is a violation of boundaries and an enabling behavior.

The Final Judgment

Consider how we will be judged at the Great Judgment Bar of Christ. Will He give us unconditional trust? Will everybody enter into the Celestial Kingdom because Christ has a big heart and He trusts us to change after millions of years of Terrestrial behavior?

The Final Judgment is a boundary protection. If we cannot keep the law, based upon previous history, we will not be given the reward of said law.

Conclusion

When we give our faith/trust to others, it is in hope of a positive action, but not at the expense of personal risk. As our trust builds, based upon experience, we are able to give more away and deepen the level of intimacy with that person.

“And this is life eternal, that they might KNOW thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou has sent.” (John 17:3)

To know God is to have an intimate relationship based upon a deep and mutual position of trust. A trust based upon a history of experiences and growth.