This subject merits more extended discussion, but the exposition of the nature of faith is outside the argument running through these chapters. It must be sufficient to remark again that Mormonism is strictly scientific in stating as the first principle of the guidance of the individual, that of faith in unseen things; for that is the basic principle for the beginner in modern science.[A]
[Footnote A: Read for a fuller exposition, We walk by Faith,
Improvement Era, Volume 3, p. 561.]
Chapter X.
REPENTANCE.
The second principle for the government of the individual, according to Mormon theology, is repentance. So commonly has this principle been discussed from its relation to moral law that its counterpart in all human effort has often been overlooked.
[Sidenote: Repentance follows faith.]
To repent is first to turn from old practices. Thus, he who violates any of God's laws renders himself liable to certain punishment, but, if he repents, and sins no more, the punishments are averted. Naturally, such a change of heart and action can come only after faith has been established. No man will change a habit without a satisfactory reason. In fact, all the actions of men should be guided by reason. Repentance then is a kind of obedience or active faith; and is great in proportion to the degree of faith possessed by the individual. Certainly, the repentance of no man can transcend his faith, which includes his knowledge.
[Sidenote: Scientific repentance follows scientific faith.]
So it is in science. For centuries, wounds of the body were treated according to certain methods, assumed to be correct; and, especially in time of war, large numbers of the patients died. Then it was found that low forms of life—the bacteria—infected the wounds, and caused the high mortality. This led to the antiseptic treatment in surgery, which destroys germ life, and leaves the wound absolutely clean. As a consequence the mortality from flesh and other wounds has diminished remarkably. The medical profession repented, or turned away, from its former methods, and the reward was immediately felt. However, before antisceptic surgery was finally and fully established, faith in the practice had to be awakened among the members of the profession. A chemist, making refined analysis may apply a certain factor, assumed to be correct in his calculations, but in reality incorrect. As a result, the determinations are wrong. When later, the correct factor is discovered, and applied, the results of the work become correct. Repentance from the previous error, changes the chemist's work from wrong to right. In fact, in any department of knowledge, when it is discovered that a law of nature has been violated, it becomes necessary, if further progress is desired, to cease the violation. Should a scientist persist in violation of a known law, he knows that the consequences, great or small will certainly follow.
[Sidenote: Repentance means adopting new habits; not simply turning from old ones.]