The Lectures on Faith

The Lectures on Faith is a set of seven lectures on the doctrine and theology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, first published as the doctrine portion of the 1835 edition of the canonical Doctrine and Covenants. The lectures were originally presented by Joseph Smith to a group of elders in a course known as the «School of the Prophets.» Lecture 1: Faith gives rise to all human endeavors in both worldly and spiritual matters, and is a source of power, both in man and in God. Lecture 2: The human family's knowledge of God began with God's interaction with Adam before The Fall, which knowledge was retained after The Fall, and which knowledge has been transmitted via human testimony among Adam's descendants. Lecture 3: In addition to a belief in God, a correct knowledge of God's character and attributes as revealed in scripture is necessary for the exercise of faith leading to life and salvation. Lecture 4: From scripture, one can learn that God possesses the following attributes: knowledge, faith (which is His power), justice, judgment, mercy, and truth. Lecture 5: The Godhead, or the collective persons of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Lecture 6: The knowledge that one's life is in accordance with God's will is necessary for obtaining eternal life Lecture 7: By growing in faith, one draws nearer to God, and in the perfection of faith, one becomes like God. By faith, one obtains knowledge of God, through which knowledge one can receive all things pertaining to life and godliness.