The First Temple Recommend Question:
Faith is the foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Before we can make sacred covenants in the temple, we must first develop faith in the God who invites us to make those covenants.
If you're preparing for your first temple recommend, recently joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or are simply curious about what the temple recommend interview is all about, understanding faith is the best place to begin. Every other principle of the gospel is built upon it.
What Is Faith?
The Bible describes faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Although we cannot see Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ with our physical eyes, we can come to know They are real through prayer, scripture study, the influence of the Holy Ghost, and personal experience.
Faith is trusting in things that are true, even when we cannot yet see them. It is confidence in God's promises and a willingness to follow Him because we trust His perfect love, wisdom, and plan.
Faith, however, is much more than simply believing.
James taught:
"Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." — James 2:17
True faith always leads to action. If we have faith in Jesus Christ, we will strive to follow His teachings. We will repent when we make mistakes, seek His guidance through prayer, study His word, and do our best to become more like Him.
The Book of Mormon teaches this same principle. Alma compares faith to planting a seed. As we nourish that seed through patience, obedience, and continued effort, it begins to grow until our testimony becomes stronger and our faith deepens (see Alma 32).
Faith is not something we either have or don't have. It is something that grows throughout our lives as we continue to trust God and act upon the light He has already given us.
Why Is Faith the First Temple Recommend Question?
Faith in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost is the foundation of our testimony.
Every other temple recommend question builds upon this first principle.
When we have faith in God, we naturally desire to follow His commandments. We pray because we trust He hears us. We repent because we trust in the Savior's Atonement. We make and keep covenants because we trust that God's promises are true.
Jesus taught that a wise man builds his house upon a rock (Matthew 7:24–25). In much the same way, our spiritual lives must be built upon a firm foundation of faith before we can continue building our relationship with God.
Without faith, the remaining temple recommend questions can seem like a checklist of expectations. With faith, they become invitations to draw closer to Jesus Christ.
Faith in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost
Having faith in God means trusting each member of the Godhead and understanding Their divine roles in our lives.
We have faith in Heavenly Father because He is our loving Father in Heaven. He knows us personally, hears our prayers, and desires our eternal happiness.
We have faith in Jesus Christ because He is the Savior of the world. Through His Atonement, we can be forgiven of our sins, overcome life's challenges, and one day return to live with God again.
We have faith in the Holy Ghost because He testifies of truth, comforts us, guides us, and helps us recognize God's influence in our lives.
As our faith grows, so does our testimony of each member of the Godhead.
How Can I Strengthen My Faith?
Faith grows through consistent spiritual habits.
It grows as we sincerely pray to Heavenly Father.
It grows as we study the scriptures and seek to understand God's word.
It grows as we strive to keep God's commandments.
It grows as we act on the promptings we receive from the Holy Ghost.
Like any living thing, faith must be nourished.
Alma taught that faith is like planting a seed. A seed does not become a tree overnight. It grows gradually as it is cared for. Our faith develops in much the same way. As we consistently pray, study the scriptures, obey God's commandments, and seek His guidance, our testimony becomes stronger over time.
Faith compounds. Small, daily acts of discipleship may seem simple, but over months and years they produce a deep and abiding trust in Jesus Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is faith the same as knowing?
Faith and knowledge are closely related, but they are not identical. Often, faith comes before a perfect knowledge. As we act in faith and seek God sincerely, He increases our understanding and strengthens our testimony.
What if my faith feels weak?
Everyone experiences moments when faith feels small. Jesus compared faith to a grain of mustard seed, teaching that even small faith can grow into something remarkable. The important thing is to continue praying, studying the scriptures, and following Him.
Can I have questions and still have faith?
Absolutely.
Throughout the scriptures, faithful men and women sought greater understanding. Honest questions, paired with humility and a sincere desire to know God's will, can strengthen rather than weaken faith.
Scriptures to Study
If you'd like to study this principle further, consider reading:
- Hebrews 11
- James 2:14–26
- Matthew 7:24–27
- Matthew 17:20
- Mark 9:23–24
- John 20:24–29
- Alma 32
- Ether 12
Final Thoughts
Faith is not about having every answer. It is about trusting God enough to follow Him, even when we cannot see the entire path ahead.
As your faith in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost grows, so will your desire to make and keep sacred covenants. The temple is not a destination for people with perfect faith—it is a holy place where disciples of Jesus Christ continue to learn, grow, and draw closer to Him.
Whether you're preparing for your first temple recommend or simply strengthening your relationship with the Savior, remember that every step taken in faith brings you closer to Him.
We hope this article has helped you better understand the first temple recommend question and strengthened your desire to draw closer to Jesus Christ. Our prayer is that every resource we create points you toward the Savior and helps you prepare to make and keep sacred temple covenants.
Thank you for spending part of your temple journey with us.
— Scott & Riah Brough
Brough Made
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