Mosiah 26:3

3 And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened.

I love it when Mormon includes, "because of'' so we can see clearly and plainly the result of a certain action.

Here, they could not understand the word of God (as delivered by King Benjamin and others through their growing up years) because they chose not to believe in Christ and His mission.

It seems that belief in God is more of a choice than a state.

You can't have (own) it, until/ unless you have (exercise) it.

Is belief the same thing as faith then? And how closely related is hope?

I also pay attention to the word 'and.' Here, there are more consequences to their choice to disbelieve than just an inability to understand God's word. Their hearts are actually hardened.

I’m desperate for a continually softened heart- so I will choose to believe- especially when it's a challenge. Is there something I don't believe? What do I doubt?

April - ponder and apply 'believing'!