faith is hoping

It's times of change that test one's faith. New beginnings, birth, death, sickness, moving, and such turn us a bit inward on missions of truth. These times either make or break the faith of mankind. As compared to knowledge and power, faith is a belief that something is or will be. Once we know by experience or revelation, it is no longer faith but knowledge. Faith can bring us along the path to knowledge, although with the gospel we hold a belief that the something we have faith in must be true. For instance, we cannot have faith that the world is flat, because it is absolutely false.

"And now as I said concerning faith--faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." Alma 32:21

In this case, we do not hope or believe in something false. My faith is based we in the Lord Jesus Christ, His mission, His Atonement, His resurrection, and His second coming. This faith leads to my hope for my own personal repentance, redemption, resurrection, reunion with those I love, and eternal rest.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

"Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me." Alma 32:28

"And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you." Alma 32:42-43

Faith
Beatrice Goff Jackson (modified)

Knowledge is knowing the sun will rise, lighting each new day.
Faith is hoping the Lord will hear my prayers each time I pray.
Faith is like a little seed:
If planted, it will grow.
Faith is a swelling within my heart.
When I do right, I hope.

Faith is believing I lived with God before my mortal birth.
Faith is hoping I can return when my life ends on earth.
Faith is trust in God above;
In Christ, who showed the way.
Faith is strengthened; I feel it grow
Whenever I obey.