The Lord gave Nephi the best and most useful definition of faith in all of scripture: “And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart.” (1 Nephi 2:19 )
To have faith is to seek the Lord diligently with lowliness of heart. Doing this will lead to all the experiences and signs that the scriptures teach ought to come from following Him: “[Christ] manifests himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith.” (2 Nephi 26:13) These are the things you should be expecting.
When you read of the miraculous guidance and deliverance in Nephi’s life, or the angelic visits to Nephi and Alma, or the utter power granted to the missionaries in the Book of Mormon, does your heart not burn within you? When you read of Nephi teaching with such power that “it were not possible that they could disbelieve his words” (3 Nephi 7:18), do you not long for such power? Do you not ask yourself, “Why do I not experience this? Where is God’s undeniable power in my life?”
“Has the day of miracles ceased? Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore… if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also.” (Moroni 7:35–38)
Mormon is painfully clear: if you are not experiencing miracles, if angels are not visiting, it is because you do not have faith. You may think you have faith because you do many good things in your attempt to worship the Lord, but if there are no miracles, you can know that you do not have faith.
“For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.” (2 Nephi 27:23)
If you have been attempting to follow Christ for some time, yet are not experiencing those things, it is because you are not really seeking Him diligently, with lowliness of heart. You may have done many good things, but no amount of religious observance can replace actually seeking Christ. This includes receiving ordinances, church attendance, service in callings, temple work, and charitable donations. To the merely religious He will “profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt 7:23)
The Lectures on Faith teach that faith is a principle of action and power (Lecture First). When you take action on the Lord’s word, you are privileged to see His power. Miracles happen. The action required, first, foremost, and motivating everything else, is to seek the Lord diligently, with lowliness of heart.