I have read many talks and scriptures about faith and how it is a key concept in comprehending the things of God. I read the commandments, I read parables, I read accounts of perilous situations that the people of God have found themselves in and though they are included to teach certain principles, often what I get out of them is different from how others understand. Some may not get the point at all. This is often why so many people struggle with the scriptures.
Understanding a concept is often the most important part of learning. I may believe in the gospel. I may even believe that what I am reading is right. Unless I understand it though I don't often benefit from the full lesson it is trying to teach.
This is a problem that has frustrated me, especially as I read things like Job or Isaiah in the Bible. I have often heard it said that Joseph Smith taught that Revelation is one of the plainest books of scripture and it is far more literal than man usually believes it to be. I read many of these passages and the ones I don't understand are the ones that frustrate me the most. I feel as though Heavenly father wants me to understand but has tied it up in linguistic knots to get me to work harder to understand.
My other worry in understanding is whether the passages I feel that I understand have really been revealed for all that they are intended to teach. I read a passage, I feel I understand the concept, but did I really get all of the meaning out if the verse?
Understanding as concept can be quite complex, but as I have grown older and learned more about learning, I feel I have it simplified enough to apply what I have learned in a beneficial way.
Doctrine and Covenants section 9 verses 8-9 which were written to Oliver Cowdrey state:
"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong..."
This is the first step of understanding. As I read the scriptures or study the gospel, I have tried to follow this counsel. However, I have also learned that it works for every principle I want to learn. Math, Physics, cooking, automotive work, anything will be magnified by this.
focus on one principle or concept. Look in footnotes, end notes. Read other works and sources about it. Come to a basic understanding of the concept. Mull it over in your mind and think of various ways where it might apply. Think of ways where it directly applies to you. All of this is that preliminary work that must happen before going to the next step.
The Lord wants us to learn. He wants us to learn about everything good. He says through his prophet in Doctrine and Covenants again in section 109:7 "Seek ye out of the best books, words of wisdom." I believe those best books are books written about anything good and not just gospel topics. Seek counsel from experts in the topic you want to learn about where some good sources may be. Follow their counsel and seek out knowledge. Learn grow. Once we have done this, we can apply the test given and pray about what we have learned. Heavenly Father will then guide us to more knowledge on the subject and help extend our learning further. He may also inspire us directly through personal revelation which is the purest way of gaining understanding. Trust the inspiration given and put the understanding into practice.
Understanding is beyond just faith. it is beyond knowledge. Understanding is the ability to see the concepts we learn about and to be able to describe it in such a way that we show a genuine love of the learning we have gained. While we are limited to "man's language" some concepts are harder to understand. The spirit can communicate pure understanding to our hearts and we can then gain more than we ever could by just asking.
Understanding a concept is often the most important part of learning. I may believe in the gospel. I may even believe that what I am reading is right. Unless I understand it though I don't often benefit from the full lesson it is trying to teach.
This is a problem that has frustrated me, especially as I read things like Job or Isaiah in the Bible. I have often heard it said that Joseph Smith taught that Revelation is one of the plainest books of scripture and it is far more literal than man usually believes it to be. I read many of these passages and the ones I don't understand are the ones that frustrate me the most. I feel as though Heavenly father wants me to understand but has tied it up in linguistic knots to get me to work harder to understand.
My other worry in understanding is whether the passages I feel that I understand have really been revealed for all that they are intended to teach. I read a passage, I feel I understand the concept, but did I really get all of the meaning out if the verse?
Understanding as concept can be quite complex, but as I have grown older and learned more about learning, I feel I have it simplified enough to apply what I have learned in a beneficial way.
Doctrine and Covenants section 9 verses 8-9 which were written to Oliver Cowdrey state:
"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong..."
This is the first step of understanding. As I read the scriptures or study the gospel, I have tried to follow this counsel. However, I have also learned that it works for every principle I want to learn. Math, Physics, cooking, automotive work, anything will be magnified by this.
focus on one principle or concept. Look in footnotes, end notes. Read other works and sources about it. Come to a basic understanding of the concept. Mull it over in your mind and think of various ways where it might apply. Think of ways where it directly applies to you. All of this is that preliminary work that must happen before going to the next step.
The Lord wants us to learn. He wants us to learn about everything good. He says through his prophet in Doctrine and Covenants again in section 109:7 "Seek ye out of the best books, words of wisdom." I believe those best books are books written about anything good and not just gospel topics. Seek counsel from experts in the topic you want to learn about where some good sources may be. Follow their counsel and seek out knowledge. Learn grow. Once we have done this, we can apply the test given and pray about what we have learned. Heavenly Father will then guide us to more knowledge on the subject and help extend our learning further. He may also inspire us directly through personal revelation which is the purest way of gaining understanding. Trust the inspiration given and put the understanding into practice.
Understanding is beyond just faith. it is beyond knowledge. Understanding is the ability to see the concepts we learn about and to be able to describe it in such a way that we show a genuine love of the learning we have gained. While we are limited to "man's language" some concepts are harder to understand. The spirit can communicate pure understanding to our hearts and we can then gain more than we ever could by just asking.
