Faith - Food for Thought

Let us operate under the assumption that everything we do, we do as a matter of faith. Because that is a true principle. Joseph Smith wrote: "If men were duly to consider themselves, and turn their thoughts and reflections to the operations of their own minds, they would readily discover that it is faith, and faith only, which is the moving cause of all action, in them; that without it, both mind and body would be in a state of inactivity, and all their exertions would cease, both physical and mental."

So it is that everything we do, we do in faith. Think about that for a minute. Why do we drive down the road? We have faith that it leads to our destination. Why do we go to work? We have faith that we will get paid. Why do we have children? We have faith that they will grow, progress, and fulfill the measure of their creation.

But let's hone it down to something simpler than that...

Why do we breathe? Why do we take that next breath?

Faith.

In reality, it's the perfect example. We breathe because we need air (or oxygen, if you want to be more precise, I suppose). What is the definition of faith we were taught in Primary and continue to recite our entire lives? "Faith is a belief in things which are not seen, which are true."

It is true that air is all around us. It is true that we cannot see it (unless you live in Northern Utah in the winter. Then it's pretty apparent).  So then, why do we take that next breath? It's an automatic, unconscious act of faith. We believe that we will be rewarded on our exercise of faith by receiving a lungful of sweet, life-giving air.

We have done it enough, with the same effect, that it has become a rote, subconscious habit that we don't even think about.

But, it is faith, nevertheless.

So when the Savior said "verily I say unto you, If ye have ^bfaith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this ^cmountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be ^dimpossible unto you. (Matt. 17:20), we need to take heed of the size of that faith. But not for the reason you might think.

Often, we confuse the parables relating to mustard seeds. At least, we've been taught that way through the years. We've confused the parable of the sower, who plants the little mustard seed and it grows to a big tree, with the actual parable of the mustard seed, which I quoted above. 

Note that no reference to the size of the faith is actually made in the parable I quote. We've worked in the size of the thing over time, and we've had repeated stories pounded into our brain about having tiny faith (translated: unbelief).

The fact of the matter is, any faith AT ALL is sufficient to move the mountain. There is no minimum size requirement. It either is, or it isn't. 

How big is the faith required to take the next breath? 

How big is the faith required to move that mountain?

How big is the faith required to summon an angel?

Think about that...