Alma compares faith to a seed that you plant in the ground and which springs up to grow. He explains that if you just can have the capacity to hope that you can believe, and then if you nurture your faith and don't cast it out by unbelief, you will see evidence for yourself that it is real. That evidence gives you knowledge - and suddenly you will no longer be relying merely on faith, but on facts. "Did this experiment work?" "How did I feel when I tried to pray?" "Did this help me?"
After trying this, you will be able to observe for yourself that the word of God has increased within your soul, enlightened your understanding, and expanded your mind. Your knowledge is "perfect" because if you are completely honest with yourself, you will be able to observe these effects.
This is a promise that everybody has. If you sincerely try faith, you'll see for yourself whether or not it is true. You will come to know God for yourself.
Answer:
He talks about knowledge in order to contrast it with faith. Faith is things that are hoped for and unseen, and true. Knowledge is empirical evidence of things that are true. When you try faith, you will gain knowledge.
It's a lifelong process, though.
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