Editor’s note: The following is an adapted excerpt from Aaron D. Franklin’s book What is Truth? Navigating a World of Faith, Science, and Noise.
Believing in something can bring tremendous power. I’ve only recently come to appreciate this reality. There are many settings where the declaration of “knowing” something to be true is overused; there seems to be a sense that professing only belief in something is somehow weaker. I would contend that believing in something is one of the most powerful, personal acts of faith we can offer. There are numerous examples of this throughout the scriptures; allow me to offer just one.
When Nephi believed the Lord was able to make the things his father saw known unto him, he found himself “caught away in the Spirit of the Lord” (1 Nephi 11:1). The Spirit appeared to Nephi and had a full conversation with him; think of this for a moment, an actual verbal back-and-forth conversation directly with the Spirit!
“And the Spirit said unto me: Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken?
“And I said: Yea, thou knowest that I believe all the words of my father.” (1 Nephi 11:4–5)
The Spirit, who knows “the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5), asked Nephi whether he believed that his father saw the tree of life. Isn’t that fascinating? I attribute this to the power that accompanies professions of belief. Nephi’s declaration that he believes everything his father taught (and, further, that the Spirit knows this) clearly unlocked a level of power and accompanied joy that is rarely matched in all of scripture. Not only did this profession of belief ultimately unlock a vision that included seeing the Savior, but also led to a powerful expression of joy by the Spirit in the next verse:
“And when I had spoken these words, the Spirit cried with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna to the Lord, the most high God; for he is God over all the earth, yea, even above all. And blessed art thou, Nephi, because thou believest in the Son of the most high God; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired.” (1 Nephi 11:6; emphasis added)
Isn’t the Spirit typically the soft and subtle voice? Not this time! Nephi’s profession of belief led to a loud hosanna to God! I trust that there is similar celebration in the heavens when we choose to believe.
Influences around us may pressure in one direction or another, but ours is the only hand on the lever of belief within our soul; ultimately, we are the only ones who know what we truly believe. …
No matter how much we learn, how much we experience, or even how much we come to know, there will still be a need for our belief. There is clear and present danger in imagining that we’re able to comprehend all the things God can comprehend, which would eliminate our dependence on Him. As Jacob teaches, “it is impossible that man should find out all his ways” (Jacob 4:8). …
As we choose to believe in God, make and keep covenants with Him, and strive to learn His attributes and character—while recognizing that we cannot comprehend all that God comprehends—our confidence that we are on the path He would have us walk will grow. …
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▶ 1 word we overuse when teaching about the Holy Ghost
▶ 3 ways we may misunderstand ‘Moroni’s promise’ (and how the truth helps build testimony)
