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Insights On Alma 32:34

This is the "seed" chapter of Alma (planting, nourishing, etc.). If anyone has any insights on this scripture, let me know.

The part that particularly interests me is in vs. 34. "and your faith is dormant".

Question:

If we view faith as Alma does in this same chapter (vs. 21), that "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," then once our knowledge becomes perfect why does this not "replace" (so to speak) our faith.

In other words, why does faith become "dormant" as if it will emerge at a later time, when our knowledge is now perfect, and ought to remain perfect forever?

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Alma Insights

While our faith may be perfected through knowledge and thus faith becomes dorment. Faith can never be replaced. Our faith will always be. Remember Joseph Smith has said, That faith is the principle in which God created the Heavens and the earth. Even though God has perfect knowledge, he still has faith.

Insights On Alma 32:34 Studies Doctrine Mormon

This is true, but now we are viewing faith from the other side of the house, so to speak. We are seeing faith as a power, like J. Reuben Clarke, Jr. viewed it, one which we sort of "tap into", and use to create.

Alma, the chapter's author, defined the way he is using faith. It is true that faith is eternal and cannot be replaced, I just couldn't think of a better word to use.

So I'm still left wondering: how does our faith become "dormant" from having perfect knowledge, especially since God used an active form of faith to create the world.

Alma Insights

I think we have to put this verse(s) in context in order to understand what is meant by dormant. In the previous Chapters 32, and 33, Alma is Talking the poor who were in conflict with the Zoramites. In these chapters alma defines Faith as something that is hoped for but not seen. He also says that faith is not a perfect knowledge (32:26).
Thus in this context Alma is equating faith as a substitutes for knowledge, or a belief or hope in something that you know very little about or do not see. This is something that precludes experience and knowledge.
Clearly faith is much more then that, and I am sure Alma knows that as well, but in this sermon Alma is using a very narrow definition of faith to get his specific point across to his people.

Thus as alluded above, once we take the word of god (the seed) and experiment upon it, or plant the seed, it will grow and once it bears fruit our faith will be dormant. In other words as we experience the word of God and enjoy its fruit, we will no longer need to hold onto a mere "faith" or belief or hope in its fruits but rather we will know for ourselves because of our experiences, thus this hope or type of faith will be dormant.

In other words we will no longer need to hope for something not seen but which is true because we by this point have experienced what we had hoped for. In other words we have obtained the very thing which we had hoped for but could not see but which is true. (ie faith by Alma's definition.)
It is interesting that it is not discarded but dormant. It is still with us, but it has given way to our fruit and experiences which it nourished.

Alma Insights

Perhaps you can lose your perfect knowledge the same way you can lose your testimony, through various future experiences. It does seem less likely, but it may be possible. In that case, I would hope you could have faith again.

I know some of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon fell away from the church (lost their testimony to an extent) but never denied seeing the gold plates (having a perfect knowledge). But is it not possible to convince yourself that what you once knew to be true is not true, or to start doubting again. I think that if faith were gone, not just dormant, we would be in some serious trouble.

Insights On Alma 32:34

I have an interest in Farming, so this topic has special relevance for me. I believe the Seed analogy is very apt when it comes to faith and knowledge.

When seeds go dormant, growth is slowed or stopped. This is usually caused by dry weather or winter weather or more precisely any unfavorable conditions. The seed goes dormant until more favorable conditions occur. This usually is in the growing season or when a drought is broken.

I am wondering if the seeds of our faith go dormant in this wicked world when we receive a more perfect knowledge of a concept. Is it a possible way to protect that faith, a possible gift from God.? Maybe that faith is saved (goes dormant) until more favorable conditions occur. It could be the Millennium, or even just a post mortal time when the winds and perils of the world are not pushing against us at all times.

If this analogy is correct, then trying to acquire a more perfect knowledge of things may be the best way for us to preserve our faith. As the world gets more wicked I am sure members of the Church will need that protection.

Insights Alma 32 34

Thanks for that explanation. It always fascinates me to hear the meaning of something used in a parable-especially when it is from someone who deals with that as a hobby, profession or means of life.

I have also wondered if perhaps our faith could be dormant for 2 different reasons, 1) as you mentioned dbackers, it might be waiting for something more favorable--could this be "other" aspects of the gospel--such as, if you progressed to knowledge in one area--there are many other areas to still "experiment"" on. Or
2) could dormant mean to suppress it--as if you have progressed to the knowledge in an area, then the faith suppresses rather than is replaced?

Insights Alma 32 34 Mormon Doctrine Studies

I think that you have to remember the context of Alma's idea of faith in this passage. I really think that Alma is using faith to mean something much narrower then what we typically mean by faith. He simply defines Faith in this passage as something that we hope for but not seen. That is a very very narrow definition of Faith. In fact we would say that faith is more complex then this. So if we are discussing this passage we cannot take it out of its context. So can faith as we take it to be become dormant? No I should not be. Faith is the power by which the worlds were made. faith as we think of it cannot be replaced by knowledge. Satan has all knowledge,but he has not Faith. God has all knowledge but he has faith. So I think we need to be careful not to read too much into Alma's passage by expanding faith to mean more then what Alma specifically defines it as in these passages. If we do I think we can get ourselves into trouble.