Because of Unbelief

Do we really believe? Let me give two examples. First, a type was raised up in the wilderness by Moses that whosoever would look upon the staff would live. But few understood the meaning, and because of unbelief they would not look and therefore perished. The reason they would not look "is because they did not believe that it would heal them" (Alma 33:19-20 emphasis added). Alma then asks: "...if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief...? (Alma 33:21 emphasis added)

A second type was given to us concerning the Liahona. "Just as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise" (Alma 37:45). This type is also tied to the type of looking and being healed. "...do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so it was prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever" (Alma 37:46).

Do we believe that if we will look we may live forever? Or is this the type of unbelief that is spoken of in D&C 84 which has brought the whole church under condemnation? The Lord says "For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin. And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me. And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groaneth under sin and darkness even now" (D&C 84:51-53 emphasis added). He then tells us why "And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things (words--His voice) you have received--Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation" (D&C 84:54-55 emphasis added).

Another type is the Nephites who dwindled in unbelief, which foreshadows the Gentiles (of which Latter-day Saints are identified D&C 109:60) dwindling in unbelief in the last days, notwithstanding that the Lord has lengthened out His arm unto them. He says "they will deny me" (2 Nephi 28:32). And the reason they will deny Him is that "there shall be among them those who will not believe...in my words" (3 Nephi 21:9;11 emphasis added).

Nephi says the same "And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and ignorance of men; for they will not search knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be" (2 Nephi 32:7 emphasis added).

It is because of unbelief that many do not understand the word of God. (Mosiah 26:3) It is because of unbelief that miracles cease. (Moroni 7:37) It is because of unbelief that we deny the gifts and power of God. (Moroni 10:19) And it is because of unbelief that "there shall be none that doeth good among you, no not one" (Moroni 10:25).

So another way of asking whether or not we believe is to ask: "Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you?" (Alma 5:15)