May the messages given bless your lives. To keep the commandments, you must know them. “You must … see that … searching the scriptures is not a burden laid upon [us] by the Lord, but a marvelous blessing and opportunity” (Ensign, Nov. 1986, p. 47). “You are selfish.” “You are judgmental.” One compared me to a slave owner. “And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit. As knowledge unfolds it must be understood, valued, used, remembered, and expanded.” Strive diligently to keep his commandments. Invite students to identify truths listed under principle 2 that help them understand how to best examine questions that come to them. Seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources. Ask the class to listen for what Elder Scott taught is required to obtain spiritual knowledge. [John Godfrey Saxe, The Poems of John Godfrey Saxe (1873), 135–36, books.google.com].”, (“What Is Truth?” [Church Educational System devotional, Jan. 13, 2013], lds.org/broadcasts.). Master the principles. …. The seeds of personal growth and understanding germinate and flourish in the fertile soil of humility. After each group has reported, you may want to ask the class for additional insights or experiences related to acquiring spiritual truth. They are the parents of seven children. If one or more of the statements was/were not in the article, please … It is worth great effort to organize the truth we gather to simple statements … In contrast, those who do not share our knowledge of Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation will likely view the commandments differently from how we might view them. … You may want to display the following statement by President Uchtdorf, or provide each student with a copy of it. August 21, 2007. Explain that President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency addressed the challenge of learning truth by sharing an ancient parable entitled “The Blind Men and the Elephant.”. Humility is essential to the acquiring of spiritual knowledge. (For example, receiving help from someone who can see the whole elephant.). To illustrate the difference between asking sincere questions and asking questions in order to justify one’s behavior or to criticize or entrap someone, invite students to work in pairs as they contrast questions Zeezrom first asked with questions he asked after hearing the testimonies of Alma and Amulek. He will bless and lead you as you move through this sometimes treacherous world. Explain that remembering this truth is helpful when we have questions about the Church that seem difficult to understand. Spiritual guidance is a gift of incomparable worth bestowed upon those who seek it, live worthy of it and express gratitude for it." Invite students to share how they or someone they know was able to better understand an idea, a teaching, or a question when they considered it from an eternal perspective. (Help students understand that knowing where to turn for truth is one of the first steps to obtaining it.). Point out the first sentence of the second paragraph under principle 3, “Seek Further Understanding through Divinely Appointed Sources,” which states, “We can also learn truth through other trustworthy sources.”. “When it comes to spiritual truth, how can we know that we are on the right path? 2 Timothy 3:15–16; 2 Nephi 32:3. Humility permits you to be tutored by the Spirit and to be taught from sources inspired by the Lord, such as the scriptures. Abide - Sleep Meditations Recommended for you The seeds of personal growth and understanding germinate and flourish in the fertile soil of humility. Elder Scott then offered the following advice: "To acquire spiritual guidance and to obey it with wisdom, one must: seek … For further insight into Mormon’s narrative goals, see Book of Mormon Central, “What Was Mormon’s Purpose in Writing the … Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need. He said: “As you seek spiritual knowledge, search for principles. Home‎ > ‎ Esoteric ... Gnosticism: 1. hope to acquire knowledge through divine revelation (Wikipedia) Once enough progress can be made on the esoteric path so that all physical, psychic, and intellectual motors within turn off and we are there in a purely receptive mode, then every indivdual … Help them understand that it is only by the Spirit of God that we can know “the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10)—meaning the truths that can only be understood through revelation. “One of the men finds the elephant’s leg and describes it as being round and rough like a tree. It takes persistence and dedication of one’s life. To acquire spiritual knowledge and to use it with wisdom, one must:In humility, seek divine light.Exercise faith in Jesus Christ.Strive diligently to keep his commandments. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. To be humble is to be teachable. Beginning with the group assigned John 7:17, ask one student from the group to write the words they selected under the reference on the board and to explain why they selected those words. Humility permits you to be tutored by the Spirit and to be taught from sources inspired by the Lord, such as the scriptures. Point out that our knowledge of God and His plan of salvation helps us understand the purpose for the commandments He has given us. REGARDING ELDER RICHARD G. SCOTT'S ARTICLE, "ACQUIRING SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE". Invite students to explain how this poem illustrates the challenge of discovering and understanding truth. Humility is essential to the acquiring of spiritual knowledge. Obedient application of truth is the surest way of making it eternally yours. … The most important [thing] you can do … is to immerse yourselves in the scriptures. "We are a people who believe in education. Heavenly Father is willing to teach us, but we must be willing to do our part. The Lord intends it to be that way so that we can mature and progress. Invite a student to read aloud the last sentence of the first paragraph and the entire second paragraph of the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. The principles behind this process are themselves revealed principles. The best single source for learning them is the scriptures. How did you respond? This won’t elicit agreement from persons who don’t share our faith, but it can move the discussion away from arguing over conclusions to identifying the real source of disagreement” (“As He Thinketh in His Heart” [evening with Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Feb. 8, 2013], broadcasts.lds.org). Why is it important to beware of unreliable sources of information? You show knowledge is valued by expressing appreciation for it, especially in heartfelt prayers of gratitude. Use the scriptures and the declarations of the prophets to expand your knowledge. You will find that efforts to share knowledge are often rewarded with more understanding as additional light flows into your mind and heart (see D&C 8:2–3). Such evaluation is particularly important when the truth comes as an impression of the Spirit. Timpanogos Utah Temple, Russian Members Receive, Distribute Clothing, Shoes, “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 86. How can we recognize truth found in other trustworthy sources of information? Please use what I have shared with sensitivity for the wondrous privilege given each of us, willing to obey, to be taught eternal truth. Elder Richard G. Scott “To gain knowledge of great worth requires extraordinary personal effort. Ask the class to listen for why it is important to consider the assumptions or beliefs on which a question is based. The resulting tutoring has blessed generations. Search this site . You may want to suggest that students mark what they find. Like President Smith, you and I need that kind of secure anchor to keep our life centered in righteousness and to avoid being swept away by the ruthless waves of worldliness. Richard G. Scott, Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge, October 1993 General Conference. Words or phrases in this verse describe why God is the surest way of making it yours. 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