The LDS Concept of Faith is Irrational.

Rebuttal: Your definition of faith is on-point, but what it is missing is an important distinction. First, I should reiterate that in LDS theology "Faith without works is dead." (James 2:26) James explains further, "Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." (James 2:18) This is important because to the LDS people, faith is action. Faith cannot exist without works. Faith is not a belief. Faith is the actions that follow beliefs. Let"s review an important parable from the Book of Mormon: "Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves"It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me." (Alma 32:28) This parable is a description of a spiritual experiment as stated a bit later: "Yea, even that ye would have so much faith as even to plant the word in your hearts, that ye may try the experiment of its goodness." Alma 34:4 I argue that faith in the LDS concept is actually an epistemology, or a "theory of knowing." In plain English - You can know that a principle is true, if you try it with the utmost commitment, and you can see that promised spiritual results occur. To use your example of the testimony meeting " a member could truthfully pronounce from the pulpit that he 'knows' the Book of Mormon is the word of God. How? He read the book (the word). He put those words into practice (experimenting on the word) and he noticed a positive change in his life. These positive changes could be good feelings, more self-confidence, clearer thinking, less fear, and countless other spiritual benefits. And because faith is action, practicing this kind of faith will also lead to tangible benefits. For example, if I serve my fellow man by helping my neighbor fix his fence, then I will learn new skills, get exercise, meet new people, etc" By practicing a 'theory of knowing,' he can state honestly that they "know." A reasonable person could conclude that if following a religious principle improves his quality of life, he should continue to follow that principle. In fact it would be unreasonable to stop doing something which results in positive benefits. The beauty of this epistemology is that the required experiment is personal. The evidence cannot be shared. Each individual must conduct their own spiritual experiment to witness the results. This is why Mormons stand up in church to express the truths they know through following the prescribed epistemology. This is the only way to encourage others to experiment for themselves and see the results for themselves. If someone in the congregation is just going though the motions (seeing naked emperors) it doesn't mean the epistemology is any less valid. That would be like saying that the 'Piltdown Man' fossil hoax (5) proves the theory of evolution wrong. Just because one 'believer' is deceiving himself doesn't mean the entire theory is invalid. Your argument might work against the faith of a Born Again Christian, where one would simply profess "Jesus is lord" and they are "saved." This faith requires no action other than the statement itself. This is unreasonable, because it is missing the continued action that results in actual spiritual benefits. Your argument might also work regarding the faith of an atheist. Or rather faith in nothing. An atheist still hopes for and believes that there is nothing after death. Thus an atheist would act on that assumption (exercising faith) and receive no such personal, spiritual benefits. Spiritual experiments reap spiritual evidence. Action brings results. And that is why the LDS concept of faith is reasonable. I realize that spiritual evidence is simply unacceptable to someone who doesn"t believe. So let"s break it all down in a different way. The placebo effect is an actual phenomenon in where a person takes fake medicine but achieves real results. You can read all about Harvard Magazines study on the phenomenon. (6) In some instances a doctor could prescribe an actual medication, or a placebo. If the results are the same, would be reasonable to prescribe the placebo because it lacks the negative side-effects and is more cost-effective. One would have to also reason that there are millions of active LDS people world-wide who act on faith because they perceive a benefit from doing so. This perception encourages the active LDS population to continue doing good works that benefit members and non-members alike. Take a look at the LDS Church"s humanitarian aid fact sheet. (7) These good works would not happen in this capacity without the LDS concept of faith. Regardless if this is the placebo effect or if it is blessings from God, there is a tangible good that comes from the LDS concept of faith. So one couldn't call those who follow such a concept unreasonable. They are only acting in their own best interest. Sound reasonable? Sources: 1.https://www.lds.org... 2.https://www.lds.org... 3.https://www.lds.org... 4.https://www.lds.org... 5. http://www.pbs.org... 6.http://harvardmagazine.com... 7.https://www.lds.org...