#23 Seek Learning, Even by Study and also by Faith

Most of the scriptures like all 5 of them that we will be discussing are found in section 88. This section came about because the 10 high priests of the church were going to have a conference because they wanted to find out the will of the Lord concerning the city of Zion’s layout as well as what the duties of the elders should be, in verse 2, the Lord states He is pleased with them, this section is what was discussed during this conference. Because of all the wonderful messages in this section Joseph called this section the “‘Olive Leaf’ which was picked from the Olive tree of paradise, the Lord’s message of peace to us” (Hist. of church 1:316)
In other words, the revelations given to us in this section are specifically for us to gain spiritual peace, isn’t that wonderful?
I thought it interesting that the brethren of the church wanted us to study the scriptures out of this section that have to do with knowledge and learning. They were asked to start a school of the prophets to discuss gospel principles and have spiritual experiences.

I know those of you who don’t like to learn and find it more of a pain are wondering how in the world knowledge and education brings peace when it has never had this effect on you-well stay with me and we will find out where we have gone wrong.
This commandment to educate ourselves and learn much is repeated over and over by our prophets from the beginning of time. Here are just a couple of quotes:
By Brigham Young, Discourses of BY, p255, “Our education should be such as to improve our minds and fit us for increased usefulness; to make us of greater service to the human family”
President Hinckley, “It is so important that you young men and you young women get all of the education that you can. The Lord has said very plainly that His people are to gain knowledge of countries and kingdoms and of things of the world through the process of education, even by study and by faith. Education is the key which will unlock the door of opportunity for you. It is worth sacrificing for. It is worth working at, and if you educate your mind and your hands, you will be able to make a great contribution to the society of which you are a part, and you will be able to reflect honorable on the Church of which you are a member. My dear young brothers and sisters, take advantage of every educational opportunity that you can possibly afford, and you fathers and mothers, encourage your sons and daughters to gain an education which will bless their lives” (Ensign June 1999, p4)
President Hinckley, “I should like to suggest that you follow that injunction given by the Son of God. With all of your learning, learn of him. With all of your study, seek knowledge of the Master. That knowledge will complement in a wonderful way the secular training you receive and give a fullness to you life and character that can come in no other way” (conf. report Oct 1964,p118)

So what do we study? Just scriptures?
Pres. John Taylor said, “We ought to foster education and intelligence of every kind; cultivate literary tastes, and men of literary and scientific talent should improve that talent; and all should magnify the gifts which God has given unto them…If there is anything good and praiseworthy in morals, religion, science, or anything calculated to exalt and ennoble man, we are after it. But with all our getting, we want to get understanding, and that understanding which flows from God” (The Gospel Kingdom p277)

D&C 88: 77-80What to study
V77 Doctrine of the Kingdom
V79 Things in Heaven- Astronomy
V79 Things in the Earth-Cultivation of soil
V79 Things under the Earth-mineralogy, geology etc
V79Things which have been-History in all it’s branches
V79 Things which are-Present times-current events
V79 Things which must shortly come to pass –Prophecies
V79 Things which are at home- Domestic policy
V79 Things which are abroad-Foreign Policy
V79 Wars and perplexities of the nations-signs of the times
V79 Judgments which are on the land- laws of land
V79 Knowledge of countries and kingdoms-physical, and political geography, languages etc.
John A. Widtsoe expounds these in the Priesthood and Church Government p55-56. (See answers above after the dash)
**Ask 3 people to share 1 fact about 3 of the above areas
After they share their facts: Ask how many people, just by knowing those facts, now have different lives? “I don’t know about you but my life is now completely different, I am a changed woman just for knowing those things.” J/K Can just knowing a bunch of facts change our lives? NO
John A. Widtsoe says, “These studies, the Lord considers necessary. God does not require all His servants to become doctors, or professors, or even profound students of these subjects, but He expects them to know enough of these things to be able to magnify their callings as His ambassadors to the world. (Priesthood and Church Government, p55-56)

So how must we study these things that they will make an impact on our lives change our lives that we can become better ambassadors?
88:118 By Study and Faith
Pres. Marion G. Romney said, “I believe in study. I believe that men learn much through study… I also believe, however, and know, that learning by study is greatly accelerated by faith” (Learning for the Eternities p72)

*Accelerated by faith because we need to have the faith that there is gospel knowledge that pertains to us individually with everything that the Lord has created!

Let’s dissect what studying consists of 88:78 1-in theory, 2- In principle, 3-In doctrine, 4- in law of the gospel; In all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God that are expedient for us to understand
**Go through each form of study relating it to the 3 subjects that have been discussed by the 3 people you asked
1-Theory=Organized body of ideas as to the truth of something, usually derived from the study of a number of facts relating to it. Speculation of something scientific or artistic
*Basically Facts that are known or speculated about a subject

2-Principle=The Law of nature as formulated and accepted by the mind; essential truth upon which other truths are based
A rule by which a person chooses to govern his conduct
*Something you know to be true and now you live your live by the facts you know.

3-Doctrine=A tenet (a principle or belief) held by religious person or group
*Ways that the knowledge or facts relate to gospel principles. How many object lessons can you think of that relate with Rocks? Or Properties of Rocks?

4-How it relates to gospel and Kingdom of God=How can relating these things strengthen us as ambassadors for the Lord’s kingdom.
*Basically What it does for you personally, how it fits into your life that brings you closer to God.

Just in case you still aren’t convinced as to why studying and faith of many subjects are advantageous here are a couple of scriptures for you.
D&C 130:18-19 The more you know here will be to your advantage in the next world
D&C 136:32-33 That we may be humbled and enlightened
D&C 19:23 that we may have peace in Christ

Now I know my class-you are all going to run home and crack open those encyclopedias and start cramming but, remember this counsel from Wilford Woodruff, “Do not be discouraged because you cannot learn all at once; learn one thing at a time, learn it well, and treasure it up, then learn another truth and treasure that up, and in a few years you will have a great store of useful knowledge which will not only be a great blessing to yourselves and your children, but to your fellow men” (Discourses of Wilford Woodruff p 269)

Remember that no information is any good unless it is pondered, experimented with and related to gospel principles and applied to your life! This testimony I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.