1. Having shown, in the third lecture, that correct ideas of the characterof God are necessary in order to the exercise of faith in Him unto lifeand salvation; and that without correct ideas of His character the mindsof men could not have sufficient power with God to the exercise of faithnecessary to the enjoyment of eternal life; and that correct ideas of Hischaracter lay a foundation, as far as His character is concerned, for theexercise of faith, so as to enjoy the fullness of the blessing of the gospelof Jesus Christ even that of eternal glory; we shall now proceed to showthe connection there is between correct ideas of the attributes of God,and the exercise of faith in Him unto eternal life.
2. Let us here observe, that the real design which the God of heavenhad in view in making the human family acquainted with His attributes, wasthat they, through the ideas of the existence of His attributes, might beenabled to exercise faith in Him, and through the exercise of faith in Him,might obtain eternal life; for without the idea of the existence of theattributes which belong to God, the minds of men could not have power toexercise faith in Him so as to lay hold upon eternal life. The God of heaven,understanding most perfectly the constitution of human nature, and the weaknessof men, knew what was necessary to be revealed, and what ideas must be plantedin their minds in order that they might be enabled to exercise faith inHim unto eternal life.
3. Having said so much, we shall proceed to examine the attributes ofGod, as set forth in His revelations to the human family, and to show hownecessary correct ideas of His attributes are to enable men to exercisefaith in Him; for without these ideas being planted in the minds of menit would be out of the power of any person or persons to exercise faithin God so as to obtain eternal life. So that the divine communications madeto men in the first instance were designed to establish in their minds theideas necessary to enable them to exercise faith in God, and through thismeans to be partakers of His glory.
4. We have, in the revelations which He has given to the human family,the following account of His attributes:
5. First -- Knowledge. Acts 15:18: "Known unto God are all His worksfrom the beginning of the world," Isaiah 46:9, 10: "Remember theformer things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, andthere is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancienttime the things that are not yet done, saying 'My counsel shall stand, andI will do all my pleasure.'"
6. Secondly -- Faith or power. Hebrews 11:3: "Through faith we understandthat the worlds were framed by the word of God." Genesis 1:1: "Inthe beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Isaiah 14:24,27: "The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, 'Surely as I have thought,so shall it come to pass: and as I have purposed so shall it stand. Forthe Lord of Hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his handis stretched out, and who shall turn it back?'"
7. Thirdly -- Justice. Psalms 89:14: "Justice and judgment are thehabitation of thy throne." Isaiah 45:21: "Tell ye, and bring themnear; yea, let them take counsel together; who hath declared this from theancient times have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; ajust God and a Saviour." Zephaniah 3:5 "The just Lord is in themidst thereof." Zechariah 9:9: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter ofZion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold thy King cometh unto thee;he is just and having salvation."
8. Fourthly -- Judgment. Psalms 89:14: "Justice and judgment arethe habitation of thy throne." Deuteronomy 32:4 "He is the Rock,His work is perfect; for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and withoutiniquity, just and right is He." Psalms 9:7: "but the Lord shallendure forever. He hath prepared His throne for judgment." Psalms 9:16:"The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth."
9. Fifthly -- Mercy. Psalms 89:14: "Mercy and truth shall go beforeHis face." Exodus 34:6: "And the Lord passed by before Him, andproclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious.'" Nehemiah9:17: "But thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful."
10. And sixthly -- Truth. Psalms 89:14: "Mercy and truth shall gobefore thy face." Exodus 34:6: "Long-suffering and abundant ingoodness and truth." Deuteronomy 32:4: "He is the Rock, His workis perfect; for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity,just and right is He." Psalms 31:5: "Into Thine hand I commitmy spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of Truth."
11. By a little reflection it will be seen that the idea of the existenceof these attributes in the Deity is necessary to enable any rational beingto exercise faith in Him; for without the idea of the existence of theseattributes in the Deity men could not exercise faith in Him for life andsalvation; seeing that without the knowledge of all things, God would notbe able to save any portion of His creatures; for it is by reason of theknowledge which He has of all things, form the beginning to the end, thatenables Him to give that understanding to His creatures by which they aremade partakers of eternal life; and if it were not for the idea existingin the minds of men that God had all knowledge it would be impossible forthem to exercise faith in Him.
12. And it is not less necessary that men should have the idea of theexistence of the attribute power in the Deity; for unless God had powerover all things, and was able by His power to control all things, and therebydeliver His creatures who put their trust in Him from the power of all beingsthat might seek their destruction, whether in heaven, on earth, or in hell,men could not be saved. But with the idea of the existence of this attributeplanted in the mind, men feel as though they had nothing to fear who puttheir trust in God, believing that He has power to save all who come toHim to the very uttermost.
13. It is also necessary, in order to the exercise of faith in God untolife and salvation, that men should have the idea of the existence of theattribute justice in Him; for without the idea of the existence of the attributejustice in the Deity, men could not have confidence sufficient to placethemselves under His guidance and direction; for they would be filled withfear and doubt lest the judge of all the earth would not do right, and thusfear or doubt, existing in the mind, would preclude the possibility of theexercise of faith in Him for life and salvation. But when the idea of theexistence of the attribute justice in the Deity is fairly planted in themind, it leaves no room for doubt to get into the heart, and the mind isenabled to cast itself upon the Almighty without fear and without doubt,and with the most unshaken confidence, believing that the Judge of all theearth will do right.
14. It is also of equal importance that men should have the idea of theexistence of the attribute judgment in God, in order that they may exercisefaith in Him for life and salvation; for without the idea of the existenceof this attribute in the Deity, it would be impossible for men to exercisefaith in Him for life and salvation, seeing that it is through the exerciseof this attribute that the faithful in Christ Jesus are delivered out ofthe hands of those who seek their destruction; for if God were not to comeout in swift judgment against the workers of iniquity and the powers ofdarkness, His saints could not be saved; for it is by judgment that theLord delivers His saints out of the hands of all their enemies, and thosewho reject the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. But no sooner is the ideaof the existence of this attribute planted in the minds of men, than itgives power to the mind for the exercise of faith and confidence in God,and they are enabled by faith to lay hold on the promises which are setbefore them, and wade through all the tribulations and afflictions to whichthey are subjected by reason of the persecution from those who know notGod, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, believing that indue time the Lord will come out in swift judgment against their enemies,and they shall be cut off from before Him, and that in His own due timeHe will bear them off conquerors, and more than conquerors, in all things.
15. And again, it is equally important that men should have the ideaof the existence of the attribute mercy in the Deity, in order to exercisefaith in Him for life and salvation; for without the idea of the existenceof this attribute in the Deity, the spirits of the saints would faint inthe midst of the tribulations, afflictions, and persecutions which theyhave to endure for righteousness' sake. But when the idea of the existenceof this attribute is once established in the mind it gives life and energyto the spirits of the saints, believing that the mercy of God will be pouredout upon them in the midst of their afflictions, and that He will compassionatethem in their sufferings, and that the mercy of God will lay hold of themand secure them in the arms of His love, so that they will receive a fullreward for all their sufferings.
16. And lastly, but not less important to the exercise of faith in God,is the idea of the existence of the attribute truth in Him; for withoutthe idea of the existence of the attribute the mind of man could have nothingupon which it could rest with certainty -- all would be confusion and doubt.But with the idea of the existence of this attribute in the Deity in mind,all the teachings, instructions, promises, and blessings, become realities,and the mind is enabled to lay hold of them with certainty and confidence,believing that these things, and all that the Lord has said, shall be fulfilledin their time; and that all the cursings, denunciations, and judgments,pronounced upon the heads of the unrighteous, will also be executed in thedue time of the Lord; and, by reason of the truth and veracity of Him, themind beholds its deliverance and salvation as being certain.
17. Let the mind once reflect sincerely and candidly upon the ideas ofthe existence of the before-mentioned attributes in the Deity, and it willbe seen that as far as His attributes are concerned, there is a sure foundationlaid for the exercise of faith in Him for life and salvation. For inasmuchas God possesses the attribute knowledge, He can make all things known toHis saints necessary for their salvation, and as He possesses the attributepower, He is able thereby to deliver them from the power of all enemies;and seeing, also, that justice is an attribute of the Deity, He will dealwith them upon the principles of righteousness and equity, and a just rewardwill be granted unto them for all their afflictions and sufferings for thetruth's sake. And as judgment is an attribute of the Deity also, His saintscan have the most unshaken confidence that they will, in due time, obtaina perfect deliverance out of the hands of their enemies, and a completevictory over all those who have sought their hurt and destruction. And asmercy is also an attribute of the Deity, His saints can have confidencethat it will be exercised towards them, and through the exercise of thatattribute towards them comfort and consolation will be administered untothem abundantly, amid all their afflictions and tribulations. And, lastly,realizing that truth is an attribute of the Deity, the mind is led to rejoiceamid all its trials and temptations, in hope of that glory which is to bebrought at the revelation of Jesus Christ, and in view of that crown whichis to be placed upon the heads of the saints in the day when the Lord shalldistribute rewards unto them, and in prospect of that eternal weight ofglory which the Lord has promised to bestow upon them, when He shall bringthem in the midst of His throne to dwell in His presence eternally.
18. In view, then, of the existence of these attributes, the faith ofthe saints can become exceedingly strong, abounding in righteousness untothe praise and glory of God, and can exert its mighty influence in searchingafter wisdom and understanding, until it has obtained a knowledge of allthings that pertain to life and salvation.
19. Such, then, is the foundation which is laid, through the revelationof the attributes of God, for the exercise of faith in Him for life andsalvation; and seeing that these are attributes of the Deity, they are unchangeable-- being the same yesterday, today, and forever -- which gives to the mindsof the Latter-day Saints the same power and authority to exercise faithin God which the Former-day Saints had; so that all the saints, in thisrespect, have been, are, and will be, alike until the end of time; for Godnever changes, therefore His attributes and character remain forever thesame. And as it is through the revelation of these that a foundation islaid for the exercise of faith in God unto life and salvation, the foundation,therefore, for the exercise of faith was, is, and ever will be, the same;so that all men have had, and will have, and equal privilege.
What was shown in the fourth lecture? It was shown that correct ideasof the character of God are necessary in order to exercise faith in Himunto life and salvation; and that without correct ideas of His character,men could not have power to exercise faith in Him unto life and salvation,but that correct ideas of His character, as far as His character was concernedin the exercise of faith in Him, lay a sure foundation for the exerciseof it. Lecture 4:1.
What object had the God of Heaven in revealing His attributed to men?That through an acquaintance with His attributes they might be enabled toexercise faith in Him so as to obtain eternal life. Lecture 4:2.
Could men exercise faith in God without an acquaintance with His attributes,so as to be enabled to lay hold of eternal life? They could not. Lecture4:2, 3.
What account is given of the attributes of God in His revelations? First,Knowledge; secondly, Faith or Power; thirdly, Justice: fourthly, Judgment;fifthly, Mercy; and sixthly, Truth. Lecture 4:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Where are the revelations to be found which give this revelation or theattributes of God? In the Old and New Testaments, and they are quoted inthe fourth lecture, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth paragraphs.
Is the idea of the existence of these attributes in the Deity necessaryin order to enable any rational being to exercise faith in Him unto lifeand salvation? It is.
How do you prove it? By the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth,fifteenth and sixteenth paragraphs in this lecture.
Does the idea of the existence of these attributes in the Deity, as faras His attributes are concerned, enable a rational being to exercise faithin Him unto life and salvation? It does. How do you prove it? By the seventeenthand eighteenth paragraphs.
Have the Latter-day Saints as much authority given them, through therevelations of the attributes of God, to exercise faith in Him as the Former-daySaints had? They have.
How do you prove it? By the nineteenth paragraph of this lecture.