How Are Faith, Works, and Revelation Connected?

•  James Chapter 2 (Bible)  
• 17Even so ^afaith, if it hath not ^bworks, is dead, being alone.

That should tie faith and works together, but here's another really good example (James 2 cont.):

• 15 If a ^abrother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily ^bfood,

• 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye ^agive them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

•  Just wanting our fellow man to be filled rather than hungry will not get them any closer to being full.  Just as only believing the word of God and that He is there will not save us.  Yes, we are saved by the grace of God IF we are willing to work for it.  

So, faith is inseparably connected with works (such as keeping the commandments to go to church, pray, study scripture, listen to the prophet etc.).  What does that have to do with revelation?

• Ether 12 (Book of Mormon - Moroni was an ancient prophet who wrote some of The book of Mormon)

• 6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that ^afaith is things which are ^bhoped for and ^cnot seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no ^dwitness until after the ^etrial of your faith.

• We don't get revelation until after 'the trial of [our] faith.'  

Why can't we just get the witness/proof of things without trying out our faith by works?  Because Heavenly Father does not want to condemn us. - In order to understand this we must understand the principle of 'greater light... greater condemnation,':

• Doctrine & Covenants 82

• 3 For of him unto whom ^amuch is ^bgiven much is ^crequired; and he who ^dsins against the greater ^elight shall ^freceive the greater ^gcondemnation.

• It make sense that someone who makes a mistake out of ignorance would not receive as much condemnation as would someone who knowingly breaks a commandment.  Hence, one who has the 'greater light' (or knowledge) has a greater responsibility to keep him/herself clean.

Those who receive a witness/proof/knowledge/'greater light' are then held to a higher standard of worthiness.  If God gave us that 'greater light' when we are already not acting on our faith (not keeping the commandments to go to church, pray, study scripture, listen to the prophet etc.), all he would be doing is allowing us to condemn ourselves even more!  Heavenly Father loves us too much to do that, so he waits for us to be ready for revelation of truth before he reveals much to us.

Hopefully that makes sense. It makes sense in my mind, but most of the time my mind and how I express my thoughts don't run smoothly together so email me if you have any questions or visit Mormon.org!  Or even better act on your faith and Pray about it!  Read the scriptures and seek that inspiration directly from Heavenly Father!  What a blessing it is to have the scriptures to show us the best way to obtain knowledge:

• James 1 (Bible)
• 5 ^aIf any of you lack ^bwisdom, let him ask of God, that ^cgiveth to all men liberally, and ^dupbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
  6 But let him ^aask in ^bfaith, nothing ^cwavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.