Stephen L. Richards (1879-1959) who was first counselor in the first presidency from 1951 to 1959, the early years of David O. McKay’s presidency, wrote the following about (true) faith being a gift from God, consistent with Eph 2:8-10, while also correctly rejecting the Reformed doctrine of irresistible grace and that man can reject such:
Faith—A Divine Gift
Faith is a divine gift to all men to receive, if only their attitude and life will permit its reception. It is true only the faithful know this, but their knowledge of it is so certain that they never despair of bringing the knowledge to others. In this absolute certitude of the faithful lie the hope and promise of universal conversion. (Where is Wisdom? Addresses of President Stephen L. Richards [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1955], 401, emphasis added)
