Faith comes by hearing the word of God as that word is preached or written by servants of God, a word always attended by the spirit of prophecy and revelation (see Romans 10:17; Teachings, p. 148). The scriptures have the power to motivate one to righteousness, to change one’s heart, to serve a significant role in one’s spiritual rebirth (see 2 Timothy 3:16; Alma 37:8).
“Led to Believe the Holy Scriptures”
The conversion of the Lamanites was not social but spiritual. It was rooted in the spirit and testimony of the scriptures. Because it was well rooted, it would yield great blessings, even to generations yet unborn (see verses 11-17). President Ezra Taft Benson has warned that “social, ethical, cultural, or educational converts will not survive under the heat of the day unless their taproots go down to the fulness of the gospel which the Book of Mormon contains” (A Witness and a Warning, p. 6)