Alma 32

Faith starts as a small seed that we plant with hope. We hear what we hope is true - that God loves us, that families can be together forever, and that we can have peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come. That  sounds wonderful. We want to believe that it's true. Now that the seed is planted, it is up to us to nourish and water it with faith and righteousness. As we do that, the seed springs up in the form of blessings that provide the evidence of things we hoped were true. Just as it takes time to nurture a seed and protect it until it sprouts, then becomes a seedling, and then finally bears fruit, it likewise takes time to experience the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ through faithfully following Him. As we do, we discover what Alma refers to as light.


34  And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect?  Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand.
35  O then, is not this real?  I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?

What a wonderful question! Is this not real? What is felt in the mind and heart is as real as the tree that grows from a small seed.