Faith in Jesus Christ
The first principle of the gospel — the foundation of all righteousness
Key Scripture
Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel. It is the foundation upon which all other gospel principles rest. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), and without faith, we cannot access the blessings of the Atonement.
What Is Faith?
The Apostle Paul defined faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Alma taught that faith is not a perfect knowledge, but a hope and a belief that motivates action (Alma 32:21). True faith in Christ is not passive — it leads to action, to repentance, to covenant-keeping, and to service.
Faith and Works
The scriptures teach that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). We demonstrate our faith through our actions — through prayer, scripture study, temple attendance, service, and obedience to the commandments. Faith grows as we act upon it.
Developing Faith
Alma compared faith to a seed: if we plant it, nourish it, and give it space to grow, it will become a tree of life bearing precious fruit (Alma 32). We develop faith through prayer, scripture study, attending church, serving others, and seeking spiritual experiences.