“He Had Faith No Longer for He Knew Nothing Doubting”

Bryan Richards

When Alma speaks of faith, he states that there comes a point when the faith of the individual becomes perfect, Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know (Alma 32:34). Certainly, the brother of Jared had come to this point, for his faith would never be the same after such a transforming experience. Interestingly, however, Alma is not referring to seeing the Lord but the realization that the experiment on the word was good, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good. And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea (Alma 32:33-34). In other words, the brother of Jared's faith became perfect when he had seen the Lord, but perfect knowledge of certain principles can also be obtained through the Spirit in the manner Alma described. The Holy Ghost is such a powerful witness that a testimony borne of the Spirit is as real and convincing as a visitation from the Lord. Hereby, we presume that is possible to know, nothing doubting, without seeing the Lord.

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