Second-hand knowledge

Why is that Christ teaches it that second-hand knowledge is given deference to even seeing and hearing for yourself?

Why are you more blessed if you believe on those who have seen and have witnessed, other than yourself?

I guess it takes more faith than if you have seen with your own eyes--you don't have to believe or trust or have faith in anyone but yourself and your own senses, and it's easy to believe yourself--to believe just on a word or a testimony.  Even the self-betrayers of the world--and that basically includes all humans--are experts at believing themselves--regardless of how wrong they are.  But, the edicts about belief without seeing aren't only talking to sinners, they apply to all.

Plus, when you open yourself-up to believing and having faith in others, now, all of the sudden, you can have the law of witnesses working for you (where you might not if you are only believing yourself...unless you think that God is telling you and the Holy Ghost is three...).

Others, those that have testified to you, have more authority when it's not just one person.  Then, you can have yourself and the Spirit testifying and all those who are testifying are witnesses of the same fact--the same truth!

Some additional scriptures that support this doctrinal fact are too numerous to cite or quote, but think about all the times that disciples or even contemporaries of prophets or those written about in the scriptures are asked to believe or have faith, with nothing but the Lord's words or a prophets words before they get the "proof" of what they are asking for.  Remember in the Book of Mormon, in the Book of Ether, chapter 12, verse six:

And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

Ye receive no witness UNTIL after the trial of your faith.  

Also, don't forget what Alma teaches us also in his 32nd chapter.  In fact, that's just an excellent chapter on faith and you should just read the whole chapter--I'll just point out a few verses: verse 32:21 & 32:28

32:21--And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

32:28--Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

JPS