The priesthood bearer who knows that his course in life is pleasing to the Lord is possessor of that faith by which he can work miracles. He has confidence in his God and confidence in his own abilities to know and carry out the will of heaven. He is then able to operate by faith in all aspects of life.
“We understand,” Joseph Smith taught, “that when a man works by faith he works by mental exertion instead of physical force. It is by words, instead of exerting his physical powers, with which every being works when he works by faith.... Faith, then, works by words; and with these its mightiest works have been, and will be, performed.” (Lectures on Faith 7:3; italics added.)
In offering insightful commentary on these inspired ideas, Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote: “But working by faith is not the mere speaking of a few well-chosen words; anyone with the power of speech could have commanded the rotting corpse of Lazarus to come forth, but only one whose power was greater than death could bring life again to the brother of Mary and Martha.
Nor is working by faith merely a mental desire, however strong, that some eventuality should occur. There may be those whose mental powers and thought processes are greater than any of the saints, but only persons who are in tune with the Infinite can exercise the spiritual forces and powers that come from him.”