The Faith of an Imperfect Man

"The Apostle Paul taught that "faith is the substance [assurance] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Alma made a similar statement: "If ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true" (Alma 32:21). Faith is a principle of action and power. Whenever we work toward a worthy goal, we exercise faith. We show our hope for something that we cannot yet see."

-Gospel Topics "Faith"

"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."

-Ether 12:6

Faith, we all want it and we all need it. Why then is it so challenging to hold onto it? I think the answer lies in Moroni's words from the book of Ether. We do not receive a witness until after the trial of our faith. That is precisely what I have been dealing with for some time now. I have felt my faith tested and tried by the challenges that endlessly seem to crash upon me like waves crashing upon a rocky shoreline. So what do I have faith in, what do I hope for without seeing? I have faith that Jesus Christ is real, that he lives and loves me personally. I have faith that even a sinner who is so pitiful as me can be saved through the atonement of Christ. I have faith that when I hit my knees there is a loving Father who is watching and listening to me personally. I have faith that one day I can truly be like that loving Father of mine. I have faith that a young boy named Joseph Smith really did see God the Father and His Son in a grove of trees on a spring morning in the year 1820. I have faith in so many other things, but what is faith without action. So I am left to go to work and show to myself and my God the evidence of my faith, in spite of the fact that I have not seen some great vision or heard the voice of an angel speaking to me. I have faith that one day I will dwell in the presence of God and Angels and then I will no longer have faith because at that day I will know as I am known and see as I am seen and all will then be sure knowledge.