By Whom Faith Should be Taught

By Whom Faith Should be Taught

One of the principal and essential doctrines that a Latterday Saint should teach his children is faith in God, in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the restoration of the gospel through the Prophet, Joseph Smith. The first article of our faith reads: "We believe in God, the eternal Father, and in his Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." And yet, the question is often asked: "Is it necessary to believe in God in order to render the most acceptable service for humanity; or can we not do just as much good without faith in God and his established Church as with it?" Some young men have argued, "Why the necessity of membership in the Church or a belief in Deity, when we can do just as much good to our fellow men free from the handicaps that come from religion?" In other words, they question the need of faith in God. in order that real good works may be accomplished, and deign to believe that services may be rendered to mankind just as acceptably by one having no faith, as by one having faith. This belief is fallacious; because faith in God is the first requisite for good works, and is the foundation of true religion from which only acceptable works to God may spring; because neither works without faith nor faitli without works is justified. In one of the leading commandments to parents in our Church, it is stated positively, that parents having children in Zion must teach them faith in Christ, the Son of the living God, repentance, and to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord. The penalty pronounced for not doing this service is, that the sin shall rest upon the heads of the parents. This commandment is confirmed by Paul, who places faith first, very plainly, when he says: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then, shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent?" Here we have again the natural order, and parents will notice that one must first hear the word of the Lord, next believe, and then follows good works. This is confirmed in another quotation from the scriptures, which de-