"Our Search for Truth"

In Church yesterday, one of our lessons was from Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, Chapter 10: Our Search for Truth.  This lesson was all about scripture study, so, of course, I really enjoyed it.  I wanted to share some of the things that touched me and also, how the lesson brought other things to my mind.

(The underlinings and bolded words represent my study of the text):

"President Smith maintained this thirst for gospel knowledge throughout his life. As he learned the truths of the gospel, he shared them and, when necessary, defended them. Three years after he was ordained an Apostle, he received a priesthood blessing that included the following counsel: “You have been blessed with ability to comprehend, to analyze, and defend the principles of truth above many of your fellows, and the time will come when the accumulative evidence that you have gathered will stand as a wall of defense against those who are seeking and will seek to destroy the evidence of the divinity of the mission of the Prophet Joseph; and in this defense you will never be confounded, and the light of the Spirit will shed its rays upon your heart as gently as the dews that fall from heaven, and it will unfold to your understanding many truths concerning this work.” He lived true to these prophetic words. As a gospel scholar, teacher, and writer, he worked diligently to explain and defend the doctrines of salvation."  

I love those phrases, "thirst for gospel knowledge" and "you have gathered".  This kind of knowledge and blessings are not going to simply fall into our laps.  We reap what we sow.  We gather what we have made an effort to gather.

"Toward the end of his life, President Smith often reflected on the blessings he had received through his study of the gospel:

" 'All my life I have studied and pondered the principles of the gospel and sought to live the laws of the Lord. As a result there has come into my heart a great love for him and for his work and for all those who seek to further his purposes in the earth.'

" 'All my days I have studied the scriptures and have sought the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord in coming to an understanding of their true meaning. The Lord has been good to me, and I rejoice in the knowledge he has given me and in the privilege that has been and is mine to teach his saving principles.' "

I LOVE teaching the gospel!  I love the light that comes into people faces and eyes as they gain a greater understanding and love of the gospel principles!  It is truly my favorite calling in the Church!

During the lesson, the teacher asked what blessings have come to me as I have studied the scriptures.  In the margin of my manual I started to write words: understanding, spiritual strength, greater love, peace, knowledge, focus, delight, excitement.  The last two words, delight and excitement, really stand out to me!  I love the feeling I get as I gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the word of God!  That feeling is the spirit of the Lord, the Holy Ghost, confirming to me that what I am reading, what I am studying, what I am hearing, is true!  I feel an excitement of wanting to share that with others so they can be as happy as me! : )  This is why I love the scriptures and missionary work.  I love to share what I have learned, and what has made me happy, with others.

"We believe in education.  But we think this pursuit of worldly learning should be tempered (made less intense or violent, especially by the influence of something good or benign) with a like pursuit of spiritual understanding. It is more important, a thousand times over, to have a knowledge of God and his laws, so that we can do the things which bring salvation, than it is to have all the worldly knowledge that can be obtained.

"Everyone should learn something new every day. You all have inquiring minds and are seeking truth in many fields. I sincerely hope your greatest search is in the realm of spiritual things, because it is there that we are able to gain salvation and make the progress that leads to eternal life in our Father’s kingdom."

In 2 Nephi 9:28-29 is says: "O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

"But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God."

It is important to learn and to better ourselves, but the most important learning we can do is to strengthen our understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The teacher said that her mother always said that the testimonies of their children were more important than their grades.  (I wish I head heard that earlier, when my children were younger.)

"Not all truth is of the same value or importance. Some truths are greater than others. The greatest truth, or the greatest truths, we find in the fundamentals of the gospel of Jesus Christ. First of all, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world, who came into this world to die that men might live. That truth we should know. It is far more important to know that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, that he has given unto us the principles of eternal life, than it is to know all that can be obtained in secular education.

"So far as the philosophy and wisdom of the world are concerned, they mean nothing unless they conform to the revealed word of God. Any doctrine, whether it comes in the name of religion, science, philosophy, or whatever it may be, if it is in conflict with the revealed word of the Lord, will fail. It may appear plausible (having the appearance of truth or reason, credible, believable). It may be put before you in language that appeals and which you may not be able to answer. It may appear to be established by evidence that you cannot controvert (argue against, dispute, deny), but all you need to do is to abide your time. Time will level all things. You will find that every doctrine, every principle, no matter how universally believed, if it is not in accord with the divine word of the Lord to his servants, will perish. Nor is it necessary for us to try to stretch the word of the Lord in a vain attempt to make it conform to these theories and teachings. The word of the Lord shall not pass away unfulfilled, but these false doctrines and theories will all fail. Truth, and only truth, will remain when all else has perished."

We are told by the world, that we need to "get with the times", "adapt", "these things don't matter any more because no one believes them any more."  But, God has not changed.  His laws are still in effect.  He has not withdrawn them.  We do not need to change or conform, as what is popular now will change (it always has before) and will not last.  We only need to conform to the laws of God.

In the lesson there was a great deal of emphasis on the fact that if we study the scriptures, and live what they teach, then we will not be led astray!

"It would be well if we would follow the counsel the Lord has given us, which is: “And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived.” [Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37.] Treasuring up his word is far more than merely reading it. To treasure it one must not only read and study, but seek in humility and obedience to do the commandments given, and gain the inspiration which the Holy Spirit will impart (to give, bestow, communicate).

"We sometimes hear the complaint, “I haven’t time.” But we all have time to read and study which is our solemn duty. Can we not arrange to find at least fifteen minutes in each day to devote to systematic reading and reflection? This would be but a trifling amount of time, yet it would be one hour and forty-five minutes in a week; seven and one-half hours in a month of thirty days, and ninety-one hours and a quarter in the year. …

"… Very few among us read too much; most of us read too little. The Lord has said: “And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith.” [D&C 88:118;109:7.]"

The teacher quoted from an April 2014 General Conference talk by Linda S. Reeves, entitled, Protection from Pornography—a Christ-Focused Home:

"A friend recently cautioned, 'When you ask the sisters to read the scriptures and pray more, it stresses them out. They already feel like they have too much to do.'

"Brothers and sisters, because I know from my own experiences, and those of my husband, I must testify of the blessings of daily scripture study and prayer and weekly family home evening. These are the very practices that help take away stress, give direction to our lives, and add protection to our homes. Then, if pornography or other challenges do strike our families, we can petition the Lord for help and expect great guidance from the Spirit, knowing that we have done what our Father has asked us to do."

I loved that!  Sometimes our "rewards" from being obedient aren't strictly related to what we are doing, but that we can say to the Lord, I need help with (insert need) and He will bless us because we have been obedient to other commandments.  When we study the scriptures, we are benefitting doubly.  We are keeping a commandment and will receive blessings and we are also increasing our knowledge and understanding. It is a great thing!

From the lesson manual again: "It is a requirement that is made of us, as members of this Church, to make ourselves familiar with that which the Lord has revealed, that we may not be led astray. … How are we going to walk in the truth if we do not know it?

"Our sole objective where the truths of salvation are concerned should be to find out what the Lord has revealed and then to believe and act accordingly.

"If we will follow the spirit of light, the spirit of truth, the spirit that is set forth in the revelations of the Lord; if we will, through the spirit of prayer and humility, seek for the guidance of the Holy Ghost, the Lord will increase our light and our understanding; so that we shall have the spirit of discernment, we shall understand the truth, we shall know falsehood when we see it, and we shall not be deceived.

"Who is it that is deceived in this Church? Not the [wo]man who has been faithful in the discharge of duty; not the [wo]man who has made himself acquainted with the word of the Lord; not the [wo]man who has practiced the commandments given in these revelations; but the man who is not acquainted with the truth, the man who is in spiritual darkness, the man who does not comprehend and understand the principles of the Gospel. Such a [wo]man will be deceived, and when these false spirits come among us he may not understand or be able to distinguish between light and darkness.

"But if we will walk in the light of the revelations of the Lord, if we will hearken to the counsels that are given by those who stand in the councils of the Church, empowered to give the instructions, we will not go astray.

"Let us search [the] scriptures, let us know what the Lord has revealed, let us put our lives in harmony with His truth. Then we will not be deceived, but we will have power to resist evil and temptation. Our minds will be quickened (to give or restore vigor or activity to, stir up, rouse or stimulate) and we will be able to comprehend truth and segregate (separate) it from error."

We are told that in the latter-days that even the elect may be deceived.  In Matthew 24:24 it states: “… there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, on of the Apostles of Jesus Christ on the earth today stated: "The Savior warned that in the last days even those of the covenant, the very elect, could be deceived by the enemy of truth." (Safety for the Soul, General Conference, October 2009)  In this talk he refers to a "counteroffensive", which is the study of the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon.  (If you would like a free copy of my favorite book, click HERE)

Personally, I have always been a little worried about that declaration that even the elect could be deceived.  Does that mean me?  Could I be deceived?  How do I keep from being deceived?  I am grateful for CLEAR and DECISIVE answers to that question.  If I know God's word, and I LIVE IT, I will not be deceived!  Isn't that an amazing, strengthening promise?!!  It fills me with hope and joy!!

Also, in my personal feelings, throughout the scriptures there are references to women being "elect".  I think the prophesy in Matthew especially refers to women.  We MUST find refuge and power in the word of God!  So much of Satan's onslaught in the latter-days is against women.  We are subtly, and not-so-subtly, told that we have to dress a certain way (the more immodest the better), wear this makeup, be super skinny, in order to have beauty.  We are encouraged to leave our homes and our families to make money, to compete with men, to have power.  We are told that since "they are our bodies", that we should cheapen them by devaluing our sexuality to a mere object, and that the value of human life is below the value of personal responsibility.  There are those insisting that women need the priesthood to be appreciated for who they are.  Women are being desensitized to their own natures and value as daughters of God.  We are being deceived!  There is enormous value in our roles as mothers, wives, and women.  I feel that women ESPECIALLY need to be studying, CLINGING to the word of God!!  We need to make the time and effort in our every day lives and in our families to be studying the scriptures and LIVING THEM!

"If there is any doctrine or principle connected with the teachings of the Church that we do not understand, then let us get on our knees. Let us go before the Lord in the spirit of prayer, of humility, and ask that our minds might be enlightened that we may understand.

"The promise has been made to all those who will receive the light of truth and through their research and obedience endeavor (strive) to acquaint themselves with the Gospel, that they shall receive line upon line, precept by precept, here a little and there a little, until the fulness of truth shall be their portion; even the hidden mysteries of the kingdom shall be made known unto them; “for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” [Matthew 7:8; 3 Nephi 14:8; see also Isaiah 28:10; D&C 76:1–10; 98:11–12.] All these are heirs of salvation and they shall be crowned with glory, immortality, and eternal life, as sons and daughters of God, with an exaltation in His celestial kingdom."

What an amazing, beautiful blessing!!!

I am very grateful for the scriptures and the power they are to me in my life.  I am grateful for the knowledge and wisdom I gain from them that helps me to make good choices and serve in God's Kingdom here on earth.  I am grateful for the promises and blessings that are available to me as I study and learn from the words of God, and most importantly, apply them to my life and live in a way that is pleasing to God!