D. Todd Christofferson on creating and confirming faith

Elder D. Todd Christofferson (b. January 24, 1945) was called to the Seventy in 1993, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2008.

"The word of God, as Alma said, is like a seed planted in our hearts that produces faith as it begins to grow within us (see Alma 32:27-43; see also Romans 10:13-17). Faith will not come from the study of ancient texts as a purely academic pursuit. It will not come from archaeological digs and discoveries. It will not come from scientific experiments. It will not even come from witnessing miracles. These things may serve to confirm faith, or at times to challenge it, but they do not create faith. Faith comes by the witness of the Holy Spirit to our souls, Spirit to spirit, as we hear or read the word of God. And faith matures as we continue to feast upon the word.

"Scriptural accounts of the faith of others serve to strengthen our own....

"Because they expound the doctrine of Christ, the scriptures are accompanied by the Holy Spirit, whose role it is to bear witness of the Father and the Son (see 3 Nephi 11:32). Therefore, being in the scriptures is one way we receive the Holy Ghost. Of course, scripture is given through the Holy Ghost in the first place (see 2 Peter 1:21; D&C 20:26-27; 68:4), and that same Spirit can attest its truth to you and me. Study the scriptures carefully, deliberately. Ponder and pray over them. Scriptures are revelation, and they will bring added revelation."

- D. Todd Christofferson, "The Blessing of Scripture," Ensign, May 2010, pp. 32-35
Click here to read the full talk

I liked Elder Christofferson's discussion about the difference between actions that create faith and those that confirm it. This are "confirmation" activities:

• academic study of ancient texts
• archaeological discoveries
• scientific experiments
• witnessing miracles

He notes that these kinds of things can both confirm and challenge faith, and so must be kept in proper perspective. But it's in scripture study, being exposed to sacred writings, that we can create faith as we are immersed in activities that bring spiritual experiences to us:

The challenge to us is to "Study the scriptures carefully, deliberately. Ponder and pray over them." Then we will find the promised blessings of faith and strength.