A. We learn the six following things: first, that he was God before the world was created, and the same God that he was after it was created. Secondly, that he is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness, and that he was so from everlasting, and will be so to everlasting. Thirdly, that he changes not, neither is there variableness with him, and that his course is one eternal round. Fourthly, that he is a God of truth and cannot lie. Fifthly, that he is no respecter of persons; and sixthly, that he is love. [§ III. ¶ 12,13,14,15,16,17,18.] Q. Where do you find the revelations which give us this idea of the character of the Deity? A. In the bible and book of commandments, and they are quoted in the third lecture. [§ III. ¶ 9,10,11.] Q. What effect would it have on any rational being not to have an idea that the Lord was God, the Creator and upholder of all things? A. It would prevent him from exercising faith in him unto life and salvation. Q. Why would it prevent him from exercising faith in God? A. Because he would be as the heathen not knowing but there might be a being greater and more powerful than he, and thereby he be prevented from fulfilling his promises. [§ III. ¶ 19.] Q. Does this idea prevent this doubt? A. It does; for persons having this idea are enabled thereby to exercise faith without this doubt. [§ III. ¶ 19.] Q. Is it not also necessary to have the idea that God is merciful, and gracious, long-suffering and full of goodness? A. It is. [§ III. ¶ 20.] Q. Why is it necessary? A. Because of the weakness and imperfections of human nature, and the great frailties of man; for such is the weakness of man, and such his frailties, that he is liable to sin continually, and if God were not long-suffering, and full of compassion, gracious and merciful and of a forgiving disposition, man would be cut off from before him in consequence of which, he would be in continual doubt and could not exercise faith; for where doubt is, there faith has no power, but by man's believing that God is full of compassion and forgiveness, long-suffering and slow to anger, he can exercise faith in him and overcome doubt, so as to be exceedingly strong. [§ III. ¶ 20.] Q. Is it not equally as necessary that man should have an idea that God changes not, neither is there variableness with him, in order to exercise faith in him unto life and salvation? A. It is; because without this, he would not know how soon the mercy of God might change into cruelty, his long-suffering into rashness, his love into hatred, and in consequence of which doubt man would be incapable of exercising faith in him, but having the idea that he is unchangeable, man can have faith in him continually, believing that, what he was yesterday he is to-day, and will be forever. [§ III. ¶ 21.] Q. Is it not necessary also, for men to have an idea that God is a being of truth before they can have perfect faith in him?