Are we able to know things through faith in God?

Carried and Commanded: The Twofold Knowing of Christ

📽 Nephi the Prophet

📒 Helaman 7

📜 29 Behold now, I do not say that these things shall be, of myself, because it is not of myself that I know¹ these things; but behold, I know² that these things are true because the Lord God has made them known unto me, therefore I testify that they shall be.

📖 know¹

📒 Helaman 8

📜 8 Yea, behold, all the judgments will come upon us which he has testified unto us; for we know that he has testified aright unto us concerning our iniquities. And behold they are many, and he knoweth as well all things which shall befall us as he knoweth of our iniquities;

🧠 know²

📒 Helaman 8

📜 12 And now behold, if God gave unto this man such power, then why should ye dispute among yourselves, and say that he hath given unto me no power whereby I may know concerning the judgments that shall come upon you except ye repent?

📖 Two kinds of “knowing” in Helaman

You’ve marked know¹ and know², and that distinction is key:

- Know¹ (Helaman 8:8)  

  This is the kind of knowing that comes from witness and testimony. The people recognize that a prophet has spoken truth about their iniquities. It’s almost a communal acknowledgment: “we know” because the evidence of sin and prophecy is plain.  

  → This is closer to reasoned recognition or acceptance of testimony.

- Know² (Helaman 7:29; 8:12)  

  This is the deeper, revelatory knowing. Nephi says he knows “because the Lord God has made [it] known unto me.” It’s not deduction or observation—it’s direct disclosure from God.  

  → This is faith-based knowledge, rooted in divine communication.

🧠 What this teaches about faith and knowledge

Faith in God doesn’t mean blind belief; in these verses, faith is the channel through which God imparts knowledge.  

- Nephi doesn’t claim the knowledge as his own reasoning.  

- The people’s recognition (know¹) is limited to what they can see or hear.  

- Nephi’s revelatory knowledge (know²) transcends human observation—it’s given by God, and therefore certain.

✨ The synthesis

So, are we able to know things through faith in God?  

- Yes—but it’s a different kind of knowing.  

  Faith opens the door to divine revelation, which is a higher certainty than human reasoning.  

- Know¹ is human testimony and recognition.  

- Know² is divine impartation, made possible because Nephi trusts God enough to receive and testify.  

🌿 Poetic Motif: Twofold Knowing

Know¹ — The Path Remembered  

- The footsteps I once thought were mine alone,  

- Yet in hindsight, I see the Father carried me.  

- Even in disobedience, His mercy bore me through.  

- This knowing is memory sanctified, experience redeemed.

Know² — The Light Revealed  

- When I bow my will to Christ,  

- The Spirit whispers, the veil parts,  

- And I know because God makes it known.  

- This knowing is revelation, guidance, and covenantal trust.

✨ Integration into LDS Witness

- Scriptural Anchor: Helaman 7:29 — “I know these things are true because the Lord God has made them known unto me.”  

- Doctrinal Harmony: Faith is not blind—it is the bridge between mortal experience (Know¹) and divine revelation (Know²).  

- Motif Closure: Together, these knowings form a seal: memory and revelation, carried and commanded, experience and inspiration.