The Gulf between Unbelief and Faith

Ether 12:4 is a beautiful verse:

Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.

It seems to me that a true believer receives from God spiritual manifestations or witnesses so that he becomes sure and steadfast. As he exercises faith, he progresses from grace to grace knowing that the course he is pursuing is good. He knows that his faith in the unseen really brings forth miracles large, small, marvelous and subtle. These experiences anchor his soul.

While the person that exercises no faith receives not such witness and remains in a state of unbelief. As his unbelief grows, he unknowingly experiences what is called the chains of hell. He believes that goodness is foolishness. He knows nothing of godliness yet thinks he knows how the world operates. But, he only knows the operations of the world from an unbelieving point of view.

My point is that there is a gulf between these two individuals. The gulf is wide and deep; two completely different ways of thinking. What's interesting is that the unbeliever may demand that there isn't any more to this life than what he sees. He thinks that since he hasn't experienced the greater things or the mysteries of Godliness that they don't exist. He has never sought. He never asked. But, he feels justified in his unbelief.

Ether 4:5-6 says, that ... Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe, because they saw them not. ... faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

Faith defined in Book of Mormon terms, is this thing that grows and grows. It starts by a person planting a seed. As the seed begins to swell within the person he knows that that the seed is good. Why does a person who just believes the true words of another bring about this swelling? Because the person exercized a particle of faith! A little miracle occurred. The Spirit spoke to the heart of the person. He received an assurance from the preacher and when he believe the assurance, the evidence came.

The unseen world of principles, gifts and gods is so foreign to the unbeliever. Thus, the unbeliever receives no witness.

President Monson, in the last General Conference said, ... fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith. Our faith will be the power that brings about great things in our future and Church's future. Dim faith will bring about a lessor future. No faith will put us in the camp of the unbeliever. Let's all grow our faith so it feels like an old glove.