=12.= The exercise of faith is pleasing unto God, and thereby His interposition may be secured. It was through faith that the Israelites in their exodus from Egypt followed their dauntless leader into the bed of the sea; and through the protecting agencies of God, which that faith drew forth, they were saved, while the Egyptians met destruction in attempting to follow.[280] With full confidence in the instructions and promises of God, Joshua and his intrepid followers laid siege to Jericho; and the walls of that city of sin fell before the faith of the besiegers without the use of battering rams, or other engines of war.[281] By the same power Joshua gained the assistance of the luminaries of heaven, in his work of victory over the Amorites.[282] Paul cites[283] us also to the instances of Gideon,[284] Barak,[285] Samson,[286] Jephthah,[287] David,[288] Samuel,[289] and the prophets, "who, through faith, subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong." It was by faith that Alma and Amulek were delivered from captivity, while the prison walls which had previously held them were rent and demolished.[290] By faith, Nephi and Lehi[291] the sons of Helaman were protected from their Lamanite foes, even by fire, though they were not burned; and a still greater work was wrought in the hearts of their persecutors, for they became enlightened, and accepted the testimony of truth. Through the operation of faith even the waves of the sea may be subdued,[292] trees are subject to the voice of Him who commands by faith;[293] mountains may be removed for the accomplishment of righteous purposes,[294] the sick may be healed,[295] evil spirits may be cast out,[296] and the dead may be raised to life.[297] All things are wrought through faith.[298] [280] Exo. xiv, 22-29; Heb. xi, 29. [281] Josh. vi, 20; Heb. xi, 30. [282] Josh. x, 12. [283] Heb. xi, 32-34; Doc. and Cov., Lecture i, 20. [284] Judges vi, 11. [285] Judges iv, 6. [286] Judges xiii, 24. [287] Judges xi, 1; xii, 7. [288] I Sam. xvi, 1, 13; xvii, 45. [289] I Sam. i, 20; xii, 20. [290] Alma xiv, 26-29; Doc. and Cov., Lecture on Faith, i, 19. [291] Helaman v, 20-52; Doc. and Cov., Lecture on Faith, i, 19. [292] Matt. viii, 23-27; Mark iv, 36-41; Luke viii, 22-25; Matt. xiv, 24-32; Mark vi, 47-51, John vi, 17-21. [293] Matt. xxi, 17-21; Mark xi, 12-13, 20-24; Book of Jacob iv, 6. [294] Matt. xvii, 20; Mark xi, 23-24; Ether xii, 30; Jacob iv, 6; Doc. and Cov., Lecture on Faith, i, 19. [295] Luke xiii, 11; xiv, 2; xvii, 11; xxii, 50; Matt. viii, 2, 5, 14, 16, etc. [296] Matt. viii, 28; xvii, 18; Mark i, 23. [297] Luke vii, 11-16; John xi, 43-45; I Kings xvii, 17-24. [298] Matt. xvii, 20; Mark ix, 23; Eph. vi, 16; I John v, 4.