The purpose of this book by Annalee Skarin is to open our minds and hearts to comprehend FAITH. Faith is that substance of things hoped for which is ready to be engendered by our desires. The desire of hope and the element of faith, the Pure Love of Christ and the Word of God (the Light of Christ) are necessary components owned by the Father, and used by his children to grow into the heavenly beings He desires us to become. Let us not be deceived, little children of the Highest Heavenly Being: as sons and daughters of the true and living God we will be able to do the works that Jesus did - even greater works if we choose to tarry with the children of men for the glory of our heavenly Father.
The purpose of this final chapter is to remind us of the contents of the previous chapters, to make plain that FAITH is the spiritual substance which fills all space and time. All things are composed of faith - for it was faith and is faith that proceeded and continues to proceed eternally from the breath of Almighty God. He is an unchanging God! By HIS faith the worlds were and are created, and every man and woman and creature upon those worlds were and are also created by God's Holy Word of FAITH! The Light of Christ is the Word. It dwells in us. We are made through the Word, by the Word and of the Word! Listen to His Word, OBEY His Word - it is the Light that shines within you, in the darkness - comprehend that LIGHT. Listen to the Christ Light, and you will comprehend FAITH. And finally, remember that the Seal of God is upon this work and the Holy Ghost will carry the words written here into your heart. Let your heart be penetrated with fire and tears and the very finger of God from this day forward. Brethren, prepare - oh prepare - for the day is nigh at hand when you must have great and mighty Faith, obeying the voice of God in every deed, word and thought!
This book was written and its covers closed. Then came the command to reopen it, for the great quest for which the work was begun was not fully revealed. The quest was for a complete understanding and revelation of that small word FAITH -- faith to move mountains, dissolve misfortunes and endow man with its infinite power. Yes, for the promises are that those who believe shall have power to restore, to heal, to create and to fulfill all things. And "these promises are unto all, even unto the ends of the earth." And though the book was written this power still remains just beyond reach. That must never be, lest the purpose of the book be in vain and its revealed truths remain fruitless in your hands, or worse still, only words written upon many pages.
For this reason the command has been given to open again the covers of the book and the doors of the universe and let the great, breath-taking power of eternal creation pour itself out upon these final pages that all-power might be placed in your hands.
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for." Just words? Oh no! Listen carefully and they will be endowed with everlasting life.
Yes, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for" -- and the substance of things hoped for is the great spiritual energy out of which all things are composed, all things which do or can exist in the thoughts of man or in either the tangible realm of earth or the intangible realm of spirit.
With this knowledge it is now possible to comprehend that faith is an ELEMENT. It is the greatest of all elements for it is the mother of all others. It is as definite as radium, or air, or water. It is truly the mother substance or element out of which all existing things are composed. To mortal eyes it is not tangible in its true, original state. It is as intangible as hydrogen or oxygen or many of the other elements that have been discovered in recent years. But when this greatest of all elements is combined in the right proportions it becomes as definitely tangible to the physical senses as H2O combined as water.
This greatest of all elements, this substance or Spiritual material of everlasting creation, boundless energy, Almighty power can become tangible in newly created forms, or as renewed cells and tissues of a worn-out body, or in any form that substance can possibly assume through the simple combination of hope, or thought, or deep desire, blended with the inner emotions or feelings of the soul. As thought and emotion, or feeling, or belief blend in the magic combination of united strength, it is the power of creation and FAITH, or the great spiritual, mother element of substance which is given the pattern it must fill. This mother element, or Spirit substance, or eternal energy fills all space, composes all matter, manifests all life and all existence.
"And Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." (Mark 9:23)
"For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith.
"Therefore, I say unto you, what things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them." (Mark 11:23-24; Matt. 17:20)
There is an ancient record as old as the earth itself; at least it is as old as the Great Pyramid of Egypt, which reveals the principle of faith without ever profaning the word as we have done, for it never even mentions the word "faith". It uses instead the word "matter" and reads as follows:
"O my son, matter becomes; formerly it was, for matter is the vehicle of becoming. Becoming is the mode of activity of the uncreate and foreseeing God. Having been endowed with the germ of becoming" (through desire, thought or deep hope) "matter is brought into BIRTH, for the creative force (of thought) fashions it according to the ideal forms. Matter not yet engendered has no form; it becomes when it is put into operation" -- by the mind of man.
As one opens his mind to comprehend the dynamic meaning of the great substance or eternal element of existence, he realizes how we have profaned, even blasphemed the word FAITH in our profound ignorance.
Through endless centuries Christians have claimed it as their special gift in vain. They have boasted of its powers in words but their works are dead. James has been quoted from pulpits by the score; "Show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works;" and the works have been interpreted as meaning some small service rendered, some position or office held in some church or congregation, or some donation or contribution or alms-giving. And the very translation has been a vain and perverse one. These words of James mean only one thing, the showing of one's faith by one's WORKS OF FAITH with the dynamic power of creation and fulfilment bearing continual witness as it becomes active and is brought into life. Without the faith to perform the miracles and signs which Christ promised should follow those who profess to believe, all things are vain. No doctrine, no matter how true, or how divine, no authority, no formulas, no rituals nor words can justify a lack of this power in any professing Christian's life. "MY Kingdom is not in word, but in POWER."
And when THAT power is in action it can neither be bought nor sold. No one can charge for it and escape the wrath of God for that power is God's power and His gifts cannot be bought, nor the benefits of them. "Freely ye received, freely ye must give." Those who seek to sell the gifts and powers of God shall perish from the earth, and on the day of Judgment when they are called forth and in their boasting testify that in His Name they did many mighty miracles and many wonderful works their rebuke shall rob them forever after of any powers or rights or claims upon the mercy of God -- "Depart from me ye accursed, I know ye not." It is true that he who serves God is worthy of his hire -- Yea, his higher reward of complete understanding and all-power. And as he rises to be the greatest he must also become more literally the very servant of all, freely and without price, even as the Son of the Living God. And then all things will be added unto him, and all powers.
This dynamic element of eternal creation has always been. It will always be. Man has not comprehended it. A few have sought desperately for its unlimited powers that they might sell them at a price or glorify themselves above their fellow man, but few have realized that this gift of everlasting Faith belongs to all. It is a divine gift and is free for the use of every man. No individual can monopolize this infinite power of Almighty God. It is a principle as eternal as eternity. It fills the universe and is as free as the air itself. It is illimitable, yet it is subject unto the mind of mortal man.
We have used it, to be sure. Everyone who thinks, who desires, who hates or envies or hopes uses it, or mis-uses it, for we have used it in such blind ignorance that the world itself is on the very verge of utter ruin because of our mis-use of it. It had been mis-used to bring forth the dark, hidden lusts of men's depraved desires, their dreams of conquest, personal power or revenge. It has been mis-used to fulfill hates and fears and greed and selfish ambitions. Used in this manner it brings naught but dire calamities, misery and eventually death.
FAITH, the great mother element, the dynamic, Spiritual substance which fills all space, all time and composes all things is surrounding us always. We are literally immersed in it, composed of it, and have complete control over it as we work in accordance with the law of the universe -- the law of love -- love for God, for our fellowman, for all created things and love for this infinite substance of everlasting power and intelligence as our mortal fingers reach out to take hold of it.
After one is purified and cleansed from all sin, having cast out darkness completely that its destructive vibrations can never again touch him, nor be sent out from him by negative thinking or negative emotions, then will be fulfilled the almost incomprehensible promise of Almighty God: "Wherefore he is possessor of all things; for all things will be subject unto him, both in heaven and on earth, the Light and the Life, the Spirit and the power sent forth by the will of the Father, through Jesus Christ, His Son."
This very principle of Faith which reaches out into infinitude as the greatest element of Spiritual substance waiting to be taken hold of and acted upon and brought forth into tangible fulfilment of hopes, or dreams, or prayers, or desires, is the very Spirit and power which will become subject unto all who desire to use it according to the universal law -- for the benefit of all. It is the great principle upon which heaven and earth are founded, and this principle of unlimited power will be subject unto all who will purify themselves from all sin as they use the dynamic "Light of Christ which is given to abide in every man who cometh into the world."
This divine Light of Christ within man, when brought forth to its infinite perfection of complete fulfilment, IS LOVE -- love eternal and divine. It is the very power of life, for it is life. It is this Light and this life that will also be subject unto those who fulfill the laws. And they who reject this Light are truly under condemnation. And though they may have faith to move mountains, to raise the dead, to give all that they possess to the poor, and their bodies to be burned, yet have not this love their works are empty and as sounding brass and tinkling symbols. It is only love that gives meaning to the power and glorifies it with divine purpose.
Combine this divine, Christ-like love with a knowledge and understanding of the great principle of faith and the keys of the universe and of eternal life will be placed in your hands and no power in existence will ever be able to take them from you. This Light or Spirit of Christ is the Living Word of God as it bears witness in your own soul, or is spoken through your own heart. "And they were called Gods unto whom the word of God came," for to such is given the keys of all-power and divine majesty.
"The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh --
"But that EVERY man might speak in the Name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world;
"That faith also might increase in the earth;
"That mine everlasting covenant might be established;"1 in the souls of the children of men, that they might find that divine contact with Me through the Light of Christ in their own souls.
For this purpose was this book written, and for this purpose it has come forth -- that the Spirit of God might begin to be poured out upon all flesh, and that a knowledge of God might cover the earth as the waters cover the sea, that the bigotry and pride and self-righteousness and arrogance and monopolies might cease and the power of God be made manifest in the lives of all men.
Take hold of the Light that has been inborn within your own soul, the Light of Christ within you, and you will be given the powers of the universe, for all things will become subject unto you, both in heaven and on earth, the Light and the life, the Spirit and the power of creation and of eternal life. Nothing will be impossible unto you. Know this, O man, whatsoever has been accomplished in times past can and must be accomplished again. And greater things than have ever been accomplished are waiting for fulfilment as YOU take hold of the ineffable power of faith. "All that the Father has is yours." Yes, the very powers of creation are waiting but the touch of your hand, the opening of your mind. Step forth and claim your birthright, for God is your Sire. "For everyone who loveth is BORN OF GOD, AND KNOWETH GOD." (I. John 4:7,8 and 16; see also Rom. 13:7 and 1, and Gal. 5:13-14 and 18 and verses 22-23.)
If this power of faith is used to bring forth first the fulfilment of one's personal, temporal desires for outward show, or for display or personal lust then the greater powers and the glory of the Kingdom are never made manifest. "Seek first the Kingdom of God and HIS righteousness, or seek to become as righteous as He is righteous, and all else will be added unto you."
This is the record of the blessings and the powers of Almighty God which are offered to the race of men --
Yes, ". . . Has the day of miracles ceased?
"Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men?
Or has He withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will He so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?
"Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased woe be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain," or completely in vain.
Yes, this is the record of the blessings and the powers of Almighty God which are offered freely to the race of men, and the Seal of God is upon it and none can destroy it. He who lifts his hand or his voice to destroy it shall himself reap destruction, for God has spoken. And His words shall be witnessed by His Son through the Light in the souls of men, and through the Holy Ghost to all who will only humble themselves and ask with sincere hearts to know the Truth of this work for it has come forth through the power of Almighty God, through the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and by the power of the Holy Ghost it shall stand. Amen.
1. RLDS D&C 4c-d: the weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh, but that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world; that faith also might increase in the earth; that mine everlasting covenant might be established; return to paragraph →