On the Doctrine of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. Of Faith. Section 1. 1. Faith being the first principle in revealed religion, and the foundation of all righteousness, necessarily claims the first place in a course of lectures which are designed to unfold to the understanding the doctrine of Jesus Christ. 2. In presenting the subject of faith, we shall observe the following order— 3. first, faith itself—what it is. 4. Secondly, the object on which it rests. And, 5. Thirdly, the effects wh

Question .—What is theology? Answer .—It is that revealed science which treats of the being and attributes of God—his relations to us—the dispensations of his providence—his will With respect to our actions—and his purposes with respect to our end. [Buck's Theological Dictionary, page 582]. Q. What is the first principle in this revealed science? A. Faith. [§ I. ¶ 1.] Q. Why is faith the first principle in this revealed science? A. Because it is the foundation of all righteousness. Heb 11:6. wit

Of Faith. Section II. 1. Having shown in our previous lecture "faith itself—what it is," we shall proceed to show secondly the object on which it rests. 2. We here observe that God is the only supreme governor and independent being, in whom all fullness and perfection dwells; who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient; without beginning of days or end of life; and that in him every good gift and every good principle dwell; and that he is the Father of lights; In him the principle of faith dw

Of Faith. Section III. 1. In the second lecture it was shown, how it was that the knowledge of the existence of God, came into the world, and by what means the first thoughts were suggested to the minds of men, that such a Being did actually exist: and that it was by reason of the knowledge of his existence that there was a foundation laid for the exercise of faith in him, as the only Being in whom faith could center for life and salvation. For faith could not center in a Being of whose existenc

Of Faith. Section IV. 1. Having shown in the third lecture, that correct ideas of the character of God are necessary in order to the exercise of faith in him unto life and salvation, and that without correct ideas of his character, the minds of men could not have sufficient power with God to the exercise of faith necessary to the enjoyment of eternal life, and that correct ideas of his character lay a foundation as far as his character is concerned, for the exercise of faith, so as to enjoy the

Of Faith. Section V. 1. In our former lectures we treated of the being, character, perfections, and attributes of God. What we mean by perfections, is, the perfections which belong to all the attributes of his nature. We shall, in this lecture, speak of the Godhead: we mean the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 2. There are two personages who constitute the great, matchless, governing, and supreme power over all things—by whom all things were created and made, that are created and made, whether visi

Of Faith. Section VI. 1. Having treated, in the preceding lectures, of the ideas, of the character, perfections and attributes of God, we next proceed to treat of the knowledge which persons must have, that the course of life which they pursue is according to the will of God, in order that they may be enabled to exercise faith in him unto life and salvation. 2. This knowledge supplies an important place in revealed religion; for it was by reason of it that the ancients were enabled to endure as

Of Faith. Section VII. 1. In the preceding lectures, we treated of what faith was, and of the object on which it rested. Agreeably to our plan, we now proceed to speak of its effects: 2. As we have seen in our former lectures, that faith was the principle of action and of power in all intelligent beings, both in heaven and on earth, it will not be expected that we shall, in a lecture of this description, attempt to unfold all its effects; neither is it necessary to our purpose so to do; for it w