Knowledge and Faith

I recently listened to a discussion in Church about the difference between knowledge and belief as it pertains to spiritual matters.  The discussion stemmed from a testimony given by someone who suggested that he had a belief in certain aspects of the gospel but not a sure knowledge.  As we are used to hearing those in Church proclaim “I know…” about different parts of what the Church teaches (e.g. the reality of the Savior, the eternal nature of the family, the calling of the prophet, etc.), this testimony sparked a discussion about what we really know versus what we believe.  Do individuals really have a knowledge of things that they claim they to, or do they only have a belief?  Are we merely imitating each other when we stand and testify that we “know” that the Church is true?  Can we ever say that we “know” for certain in regards to spiritual matters?  

                As I’ve thought about this discussion, I’ve decided that there is a much more important question that we need to answer.  I’m convinced that some really do “know” that certain parts of the gospel are true because of the witness of the Holy Ghost, but it’s probably true as well that some who profess an absolute knowledge of spiritual truths have only a belief.  And yet, in the end, whether we believe or whether we know isn’t nearly as important as what that belief/knowledge leads us to do.  Or, to put it another way, the most important question is whether we really have faith in the principles of the gospel and most importantly in Jesus Christ.  President Hunter said this: “The greatest need in all the world is an active and sincere faith in the Savior and His teachings” (see here).  That is a bold statement, and note that it doesn’t say that the greatest need in the world is knowledge.  The devil and his angels have great knowledge about spiritual truths, but they rejected faith long ago when they refused the Father’s plan.  When Christ met a man possessed with devils, the evil spirits “cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God?” (Matt. 8:28)  They knew who Christ was but that knowledge did them little good without faith.  Faith is what drives us to act and live in accordance with the commandments of God, and according to the Savior, that’s what counts: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my  Father who is in heaven” (3 Nephi 14:21). 

                 Being honest with ourselves about what we really know and profess to know about the gospel is certainly important.  And we surely should avoid the temptation to simply state that we know that everything about the gospel is absolutely true just because we think that’s what others expect of us.  But regardless of the precise level of our testimony, what’s most important is that we seek to exercise our faith in Jesus Christ through our actions.  As Elder Scott put it in the title of his last talk he gave in general conference: “Make the exercise of faith your first priority” (see here).  No matter how much we think that we know, to make it through life successfully we must “live by faith”, not knowledge (Romans 1:17).  Alma taught that certain experiences as we exercise faith will give us knowledge that is “perfect”, but our knowledge will never be enough to allow us to “lay aside [our] faith” (Alma 32:34, 36).