What is Faith??

Who here has ever wondered what faith really is? I do all the time.. We always hear things such as, "Just have faith" "Be faithful" "If you have faith it'll all work out" "Have faith in Jesus Christ" etc.... Well what does that mean? how can we tell if we have faith? What can we do to exercise faith? Lets find out together =)

(Hebrews 11:1) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

(Alma 32:21) "And now as I said concerning faith-- 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."

Faith is having hope, its a belief and if you have hope and a belief in something what does (Ether 12:6) say will happen? "And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." We will receive a witness after our faith is tried and too many of us think and say it the other way around, "if we receive a witness then shall we have faith"........ and it should not be that way!!! Then in (verse 4 of Ether 12) "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." So wait... The scriptures are telling us that if we have faith, we should be "Sure and Steadfast, always abounding in good works" which brings us to answering, "How can we tell if we have faith?"

In the (Bible Dictionary) it tell us that, "strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, faith comes by righteousness", "Faith is a principle of action and of power", "faith must be based upon correct knowledge or it cannot produce the desired results. Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and is more than belief", "true faith always moves its possessor to some kind of physical and mental action", "it carries an assurance of the fulfillment of the things hoped for." So... How can one tell if they have faith and how can one exercise that faith? It's simple.. Are you praying every day? Do you study the scriptures daily? Do you go to all 3 meetings of church? are you being obedient to the commandments of God? are you striving to do and live your best? are you trying to learn of the Father and the Son? If faith is having hope and believing and is a principle of action, then doesn't that give us the choice to be faithful and receive the gift of faith?

A friend once told me that if you wake up and believe that your going to have a good day then you'll have a good day!! Because if you believe (have faith) that the day will be good, you'll do what you can to make it a good day (action) Life is what You make it!!

Walk by faith and watch the miracles happen.. I promise they will.. They happen for me all the time!
Most important.. Faith must be centered in Jesus Christ! Amen :)