Lecture Third

1. faith comes by hearing the word of God."

2. three things are necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation.

3. First, the idea that he actually exists.

4. Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes.

5. Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to his will...with this understanding it can become perfect and fruitful, abounding in righteousness,

7. "But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him; but God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit, for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so, the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God."

9. "But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children, to such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them." Psalms 103:17-18

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:17

10. "For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand or the left, or vary from that which he has said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round." Doctrine and Covenants 3:2:

11. 'Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him.'" Acts 10:34-35

12. we learn the following things respecting the character of God:

13. First, that He was God before the world was created, and the same God that He was after it was created.

14. Secondly, that He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness, and that He was so from everlasting, and will be to everlasting.

15. Thirdly, that He changes not, neither is there variableness with Him; but that He is the same from everlasting to everlasting, being the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that His course is one eternal round, without variation.

16. Fourthly, that He is a God of truth and cannot lie.

17. Fifthly, that He is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of Him.

18. Sixthly, that He is love.

19. An acquaintance with these attributes in the divine character, is essentially necessary, in order that the faith of any rational being can center in Him for life and salvation...seeing He is God over all, from everlasting to everlasting,...no such fear can exist in the minds of those who put their trust in Him, so that in this respect their faith can be without wavering.

20. such is the weakness of human nature, and so great the frailties and imperfections of men, that unless they believed that these excellencies existed in the divine character, the faith necessary to salvation could not exist; for doubt would take the place of faith...those who know their weakness and liability to sin would be in constant doubt of salvation if it were not for the idea which they have of the excellency of the character of God,...An idea of these facts does away doubt, and makes faith exceedingly strong.

21. without the idea of unchangeableness in the character of the Deity, doubt would take the place of faith...He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that His course is one eternal round.

22. without the idea that He was a God of truth and could not lie, the confidence necessary to be placed in His word in order to the exercise of faith in Him could not exist.

23. He is no respecter of persons, for with the idea of all the other excellencies in His character, and this one wanting, men could not exercise faith in Him;...they see that they have authority by faith to lay hold on eternal life, the richest boon of heaven, because God is no respecter of persons, and that every man in every nation has an equal privilege.

24. He is love; for with all the other excellencies in His character, without this one to influence them, they could not have such powerful dominion over the minds of men;

26. the Latter-day Saints having as good grounds to exercise faith in God as the Former-day Saints had, because the same character is given of him to both.

Questions & Answers

First, that God does actually exist; secondly, correct ideas of His character, His perfections and attributes; and thirdly, that the course which we pursue is according to His mind and will.

by the idea of these three things, faith could become perfect and fruitful, abounding in righteousness unto the praise and glory of God.

What things do we learn in the revelations of God respecting His character?
First, that He was God before the world was created, and the same God that He was after it was created. Secondly, that He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness, and that He was so from everlasting, and will be so to everlasting. Thirdly, that He changes not, neither is there variableness with Him, and that His course is one eternal round. Fourthly, that He is a God of truth, and cannot lie. Fifthly, that He is no respecter of persons; and sixthly, that He is love.

Because of the weakness and imperfections of human nature, and the great frailties of man; for such is the weakness of man, and such his frailties, that he is liable to sin continually, and if God were not long-suffering, and full of compassion, gracious and merciful, and of a forgiving disposition, man would be cut off from before Him, in consequence of which he would be in continual doubt and could not exercise faith;...by man's believing that God is full of compassion and forgiveness, long-suffering and slow to anger, he can exercise faith in Him and overcome doubt, so as to be exceedingly strong...having the idea that He is unchangeable, man can have faith in Him continually, believing that what He was yesterday He is today, and will be forever.