Hebrews 11

To the Hebrews, Paul teaches the first principle of the gospel as -

"NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (New Testament | Hebrews 11:1)

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that substance herein was synonymous to assurance. He taught that faith is a principle of action and a principle of power. As Paul continues to provide great examples of faith in Hebrew history, we can see where both these definitions faith are shown. As Paul describes the faith of many of the ancient prophets, I was impressed with his example of Abraham. As an example of faith as a principle of action and obedience, Paul writes -

"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." (New Testament | Hebrews 11:8)

For we know of the great promise to Abraham that through his seed, all the nations of the earth would be blessed and his posterity would be a numerous as the sands of the sea, so -

"By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise..." (New Testament | Hebrews 11:9)

We see power in faith as -

"Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable." (New Testament | Hebrews 11:11 - 12)

It is by faith that Abraham and his sons endured to the end with their sights on Celestial inheritance for -

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (New Testament | Hebrews 11:13)

But one of the greatest tests of faith -

"By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called..." (New Testament | Hebrews 11:17 - 18)

In this trial, Abraham had such great faith that Paul taught -

"Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead..." (New Testament | Hebrews 11:19)

Is there any question that faith is a principle of action as well as a principle of power? Thus -

"Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed." (New Testament | Galatians 3:6 - 8)