Question Gramps, Why does God expect faith on such a distant level, without definite interaction or proof? In every religion, faith is an absolute necessity for finding truth, which suggests that no one really has better reasoning. Even with the evidence, we’re still expected to have faith until we gain a spiritual witness, which could just be a foolish illusion based on the lies of others. Why can’t we all see an angel just once, so that for the rest of our lives we can practice our faith with a more intimate knowledge of Him? We’d still have our agency, but then we would have solid evidence. John Answer John, In the scriptures, faith is consistently described as a principle that relates to things not seen or fully known: “Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:21). Similarly, Hebrews states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Why does faith require this element of the unseen? Terryl Givens argues that for faith to be meaningful, “There must be grounds for doubt as well as belief, in order to render the choice more truly a choice, and therefore the more deliberate, and laden with personal vulnerability and investment. An overwhelming preponderance of evidence on either side would make our choice as meaningless as would a loaded gun pointed at our heads.” In other words, if there were no space for doubt—if either belief or skepticism were the only intellectually viable option—faith itself would cease to exist as a genuine, moral choice. This interplay between faith and doubt is reflected in the very structure of Latter-day Saint theology. The mortal experience is designed to be a walk by faith, not by sight, a time intentionally set apart from direct knowledge of God’s presence. Our inability to see or fully prove the divine in this life is not an accident, but a central feature of God’s plan—a condition that allows the true desires of our hearts to be revealed through the choices we make. A common struggle is the desire to eradicate doubt entirely—seeking after perfect knowledge before committing in faith. The scientific method for gaining knowledge is based on the principle of doubt… The religious method for gaining knowledge is quite the opposite. It is based on the principle of faith. We must accept the proposition as being true before the proof. We then put it into practice as though we knew it was true. If it is indeed true, it will be demonstrated to be so by our experience. As a result of that experience, we will know that it is true. This experimental method is outlined in Alma 32, where faith is compared to planting a seed: the initial act must be based on hope and willingness, long before the fruit can be seen. Only after nurturing and experimenting upon the word does knowledge begin to replace faith. But even then, according to many leaders and thinkers, new realms of faith appear as we seek higher knowledge or face new challenges. Even God, as understood in Latter-day Saint doctrine, is associated with both knowledge and faith—but in different senses than mortals. God’s faith is independent, the very basis of all creation, while mortals must choose trust in things they cannot yet see or prove. “Faith… is the first great governing principle which has power, dominion, and authority over all things; by it they exist, by it they are upheld, by it they are changed, or by it they remain, agreeable to the will of God. Without it, there is no power, and without power, there could be no creation nor existence! So while mortals often struggle in the dynamic between belief and doubt, it is this very tension that fosters agency and allows faith to become an expression of the self, rather than a compelled response to irrefutable evidence. Why does God not simply reveal Himself to all, erasing doubt and uncertainty? The answer is in the purpose of mortality. The purpose of our lives here and now is to see if we will come to God, if we will seek him and serve him, even when we can’t see or hear him. As 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us, ‘For we walk by faith, not by sight.’ Why? The purpose seems to be to discover the true desires of our hearts.” This mortal test is not trivial. If faith were unnecessary—if God’s reality and expectations were overwhelming and undeniable—the crucial work of nurturing a willing, loving heart would be impossible. God wants us to choose Him because our hearts and hopes align with His plan, not because the evidence simply compels us to believe. That’s not the kind of belief that God is after. That creates drones, not disciples.” It is precisely in the ambiguity and openness of mortal experience—where both belief and doubt have rational grounds—that genuine, meaningful agency emerges. As Terryl Givens writes: “The call to faith, in this light, is not some test of a coy god, waiting to see if we ‘get it right.’ It is the only summons, issued under the only conditions, which can allow us fully to reveal who we are, what we most love, and what we most devoutly desire.” Some Latter-day Saints find their doubts intensified by encountering diverse beliefs or spiritual witnesses among people of other faiths—sometimes just as powerful as their own experiences. How can our faith be true if people from other faiths also get spiritual confirmation regarding their religion?” is a real question with no easy one-line answer. The Latter-day Saint perspective emphasizes that God’s love extends to all His children, answering prayers, revealing truth “line upon line,” and respecting the individual’s spiritual journey. Inspiration, revelation, and even spiritual confirmation are complex processes that coexist with opposition, human interpretation, and gradual unfolding over time. Furthermore, leaders and theologians counsel patience in the face of unanswered questions or apparent contradictions. The fact is that in the realm of faith (which is the realm of religion), there will always be unanswered questions. Questions are an intrinsic characteristic of faith itself. If there weren’t questions, it wouldn’t be faith. God leaves room for questions so that faith can exist, and even grow. Rather than viewing doubt as a threat, members are invited to see it as the necessary soil in which living faith can grow, driving continual seeking and growth. It is one thing to assert belief in Christ, and another to act in accordance with that belief. Passive faith is a simple statement of belief, but active faith is belief in action—repenting, loving, seeking revelation, and serving. Only in facing doubts and striving forward does faith become transformative, shaping character rather than simply affirming an intellectual stance. Sometimes, God’s invitation to faith involves placing difficult issues “on the shelf” until more light is available. Rather than ignoring unanswered questions, this approach acknowledges that limited understanding is an inescapable feature of mortal existence—but one that allows ongoing revelation and a deeper relationship with God over time. Gramps
