ATTENTION... LEARNING BY THE HOLY GHOST

This past week as I was pondering on what to do for district meeting I came across a section is Preach My Gospel, Chapter 2,

Your gospel study is MOST effective when you are

taught by the Holy Ghost. ALWAYS begin your gospel

study by praying for the Holy Ghost to help you

learn. He WILL bring knowledge and conviction that

WILL bless your life and allow you to bless the lives of

others. Your faith in Jesus Christ WILL increase. Your

desire to repent and improve WILL grow.

This kind of study prepares you for service, offers

solace, resolves problems, and gives you the strength

to endure to the end. Successful gospel study requires

desire and action. “For he that diligently seeketh SHALL find; and the mysteries of God SHALL be unfolded

unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well

in these times as in times of old” (1 Nephi 10:19).

Like Enos, as you hunger to know the words of

eternal life and as you allow these words to “[sink]

deep into [your] heart” (Enos 1:3), the Holy Ghost WILL open your mind and heart to greater light and understanding.

Learning the gospel is also a process of receiving revelation (see Jacob 4:8). To Oliver

Cowdery the Lord said: “Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I

would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. 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” (D&C 9:7–8). As you study, pay careful attention to ideas that come to your mind

and feelings that come to your heart, particularly regarding the people you are teaching.

2 Nephi 32:5      D&C 11:12–14      John 16:13

Alma 5:45–46      D&C 39:5–6      1 Corinthians 2:9–14

Moroni 10:5      John 14:26
Above are some scriptures to Support this Doctrine

Why is there a color code? Red is the things that we NEED to do. Blue is the promises if we do the DO's.

DO

• Begin with Prayer
• Diligent Seek
• Hunger to Know
• Desire to Know
• Put Forth Action
• Study it out in your Mind
• Pray
• Pay Careful Attention to Thoughts and Feelings

PROMISE

• Gain Knowledge
• Gain Conviction
• Increased Faith
• Desire to Repent and Improve
• Holy Ghost open Mind and Heart
• Shall Find
• Mysteries of God shall be Unfolded Unto You
• Bosom shall burn if it be Right
• Receive Revelation
• Strength to Endure to the End
• Resolves Problems
• Prepares you for Service

In Alma 17:2-3, the Sons of Mosiah tell us what they had to do to qualify for the Spirit.

"Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much(Spanish-MUCHO) prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God."

DO

• Waxed Strong in the Knowledge of Truth
• Searched Scriptures Diligently
• MUCHO Prayer
• MUCHO Fasting

PROMISES

• Men of Sound Understanding
• Spirit of Prophecy
• Spirit of Revelation
• Taught with Power and Authority of God

These are some pretty incredible promises if you ask me. I have tested this doctrine and tried it and I know that it works. The Lord God is Omnipotent. He knows all things. The Holy Ghost knows all things and WILL testify of truth(Moroni 10:5) Whether it be math, calculus, English, or your love life, the Holy Ghost knows all things. Experiment upon this doctrine of study. If you try it with an open heart and mind and do all that it says not missing a piece you WILL see a difference in your studies. I know that to be true. The Spirit can guide you in your lifes decisions, he can bring things back to remembrance when you need it. Only on the conditions of doing your part and trying.


President Ezra Taft Benson said,
"Let us never lose sight of the fact that education is a preparation for life -- and that preparing for life is far more than knowing how to make a living or how to land on the moon. Preparing for life means building personal integrity, developing a sound sense of values, increasing the capacity and willingness to serve. Education must have its roots in moral principles. If we lose sight of that fact in our attempt to match our educational system against that of the materialists, we shall have lost far more than we could possibly gain."

What is the Holy Ghost’s role in helping us learn the gospel?

Learning by the Holy Ghost

Intelligence

Why are we encouraged to gain an education? Why do we need more school? Why would college be important to everybody? What will college do for us? What if we can't afford school? These are all  questions that I have heard. These are all different things I have pondered. Well we are given good counsel concerning education in the scriptures and from modern day prophets.
This is a picture of Jesus Christ at the age of twelve teaching. Jesus Christ is the Master Teacher!

“If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.” (D&C 42:61.)

"We might ask, when shall we cease to learn? I will give you my opinion about it; never, never. . . . We shall never cease to learn, unless we apostatize from the religion of Jesus Christ." Brigham Young

"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." Brigham Young

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels" Proverbs 1:5

"Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection." Doctrine and Covenants 130:18

Here are just a few reasons why we need to gain and education. With increasing our knowledge it will better our character. If we take college/university serious we will gain study habits and other habits that will improve our lives. It will help us desire to learn more about ourselves and Christ. It will build our confidence in ourselves. It will better prepare us to be instruments in the hands of God.

“In knowledge there is power. God has more power than all other beings, because He has greater knowledge; and hence He knows how to subject all other beings to Him.”

“The things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity—thou must commune with God. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God, than the vain imaginings of the human heart!”

“When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them.”

"The Lord and His Church have always encouraged education to increase our ability to serve Him and our Heavenly Father’s children. For each of us, whatever our talents, He has service for us to give. And to do it well always involves learning, not once or for a limited time, but continually.

In the scripture above, the Master is clear about the process. Through prayer, fasting, and hard work, with a motive to serve Him, we can expect His grace to attend us. I can assure you from my own experience, that does not mean we will always be on the high end of the grading curve. It means that we will learn more rapidly and grow in skill beyond what we could do only with our unaided natural abilities.

Our education must never stop. If it ends at the door of the classroom on graduation day, we will fail. And we will need the help of heaven to know which of the myriad things we could study we would most wisely learn. We cannot waste time entertaining ourselves when we have the chance to read or to listen to whatever will help us learn what is true and useful. Insatiable curiosity will be our hallmark.

Sometimes we feel that we must choose between spiritual and secular learning. That is a false conflict for most of us, particularly for the young. Before we have families, there is leisure time even in what is our busiest day. Too often we use many hours for fun and pleasure, saying, “I’m recharging my batteries.” Those hours could be spent reading and studying to gain knowledge, skills, and culture.

It takes neither modern technology nor much money to seize the opportunity to learn in the moments we now waste. You could just have a book and paper and pencil with you. That will be enough. But you need determination to capture the leisure moments you now waste." Henry B. Eyring

"The reason we need more education is so that the Lord can use us to do His work and bless the lives of others. If we focus on becoming more fit for the kingdom, choosing more education is usually an excellent decision. Even if we do not always see all the possible uses for the things we learn, education is an important way we can prepare ourselves to serve the Lord. Because of our sacred regard for each human intellect, we consider the obtaining of an education to be a religious responsibility. Yet opportunities and abilities differ. I believe that in the pursuit of education, individual desire is more influential than institution, and personal faith more forceful than faculty."Mary N. Cook

“Faith and knowledge require equal effort and commitment. We cannot expect to have faith at the center of our lives if all of our efforts are expended on knowledge, sports, hobbies, making money, or other pursuits.”

“If a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience … , he will have so much the advantage in the world to come” (D&C 130:19).

I know that gaining a higher education will benefit not only us , but Gods other children. We will be blessed for seeking knowledge. We will truly want to continually learn more about our Savior Jesus Christ as we start to study His life. We will feel the Spirit testify truth to us. And I know He has testified truth as you have read these quotes about education. I know the Spirit has told you to continually learn. Whether we are rich or poor we must still learn to better prepare us for living in God's presence. I love studying and gaining more knowledge which can help me in my life or the eternities. I know you will to as you prayerfully study and learn while having the Spirit in your life.

Building a Testimony

Well building a testimony is an eternal process. For our earthly life we are going to be going by faith. For after the resurrection we will not be acting by faith after we see our Savior Jesus Christ. We will have a perfect knowledge. But first we need to know the basics. What is a testimony? How do we build a testimony?

Elder Robert D. Hales, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

You can gain your testimony the same way the prophets gained theirs—through the witness of the Spirit.

"Our testimony comes by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. The testimony received and carried within us enables us to hold a steady course in times of prosperity and to overcome doubt and fear in times of adversity. Each of us needs to know what a testimony is, how we can get it, and what our responsibilities are once we have received a testimony.

A testimony is the spirit of prophecy (see Rev. 19:10). It is a personal revelation from God, revealing the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A testimony comes through the Holy Ghost; it makes a deep and lasting impression on the soul.

Individual testimonies are the foundation and strength of the Church. Our testimony provides a guiding light that leads to a commitment which directs our conduct and our way of life. Our testimony is true north on a spiritual compass. It is a moving force that cannot be seen but can truly be felt. It is a burning within that tells us what is right. It is when, as President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) said, “your heart tells you things your mind doesn’t know” (Speeches of the Year, 1973, 101).

Our testimony is the fruit of obedience in the form of peace, joy, and understanding in our hearts of gospel principles. A testimony is a shield of faith “wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (D&C 27:17).

Our testimony is a measurement of our faith. Faith is testimony; testimony is faith. Having a strong testimony allows us to help others in their search for truth. Our testimony is a gift from God. It should be shared, but we do not have the authority to bestow a testimony upon someone else, because a personal testimony is granted by the Holy Ghost. It can aid others in gaining knowledge for themselves—a knowledge abiding in the heart that leaves no room for doubt.

Our testimony is a knowledge of who we are, where we came from, and where we are going eternally if we are faithful. We must each gain such a testimony if we are to withstand the trials and adversities of mortality and go on to the glorious eternal future we all desire.

What do we learn about testimony from the lives and teachings of the prophets of God? We learn that a testimony is very personal. We can each gain a testimony of the truth through the Holy Ghost.

People often ask me, “How do you know? How can you know that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ?” While there seems to be no exact formula by which each of us receives a testimony, there does seem to be a discernable pattern. Though prayer is important in gaining a testimony, we cannot merely ask in prayer for a testimony and expect it to be given immediately to us.

Generally, testimony emerges over time and through life’s experiences. We can compare testimony to the process of watching a photograph develop. Powerful impressions of the Spirit come like flashes of light on receptive photographic film. Like the chemicals needed to develop the picture, certain spiritual conditions and experiences are needed in our lives for our personal testimony to develop into a certain truth and knowledge. And like a photograph, a testimony, if not carefully preserved, will fade with time.

Testimonies often come when there is willingness to serve where we are called. They come when a decision is made to strive to be obedient. Testimonies come during efforts to help, lift, and strengthen others. They come from prayer and from studying the scriptures and applying them in our lives. Whatever our circumstances, there seem to be moments in each of our lives when we can be given the knowledge that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ. There is no greater search in life that we can embark upon than the quest to gain a testimony of the truth.

While each of our lives is different, I believe we can, with some confidence, outline from the testimony of others, such as the prophets, and our personal experience the process and phases we go through to gain a testimony:

Continue to pray. Have a sincere desire to know the truth and express that desire in humble prayer to our Heavenly Father. “If ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you” (Alma 32:27).

Search the scriptures. The scriptures are filled with the testimonies of those who have gone before. Even they, though long dead, can reach our heart and bring peace to our minds and direction to our lives.

Ponder gospel principles. Think about them. Test them with further prayer. Relate them to what we know and feel. All the truths we will learn can eventually fit together into a fervent, undoubting testimony.

Be humble and receptive. Have ears to hear when Heavenly Father leads us to someone who can teach us about the gospel of Jesus Christ. This may be a teacher, family member, neighbor, friend, or acquaintance. It might be a missionary who contacts us through tracting or referral. But know that once we pray, study, and have faith with a desire to learn spiritual matters, the Lord will provide a way for us to gain further light and knowledge.

Live our testimony. We must obediently follow the Savior’s teachings and the prophets’ examples. Our testimony and example will assist others who are searching for the truth.

Share our testimony. “O that I were an angel,” proclaimed Alma, “and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God” (Alma 29:1). Let others know that we know. Bear our testimony in fast meeting. Tell our family; tell our friends. We will find when we share our testimony it becomes stronger, and there are many others around us who also want to embrace the truth.

Be willing to endure the test of time. Do not think that it is easy to maintain a testimony. Others will test us. Sometimes they will point the finger of mockery and scorn. Sometimes they may persecute you openly. Be prepared. Know in advance that the best of God’s children have had the courage of true conviction and were willing to suffer ridicule, deprivation, and even death for the sake of true testimony. Is each of us willing to do likewise?

We also know that if we do not continue faithful in the testimony that is imparted to us by the Spirit, then the light dwindles until it is extinguished. A testimony must be constantly nourished and defended, or it will waste away.

I wish to bear my own testimony in the strongest and most direct manner possible. I know that God lives. I bear witness to the reality and divinity of His Son Jesus Christ, who leads this Church, and who reveals the word of the Father to our generation. I bear my testimony to the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, the eternal nature of the priesthood, the calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and the assurance that God has again spoken through a living prophet." (New Era, August 2002)

Here you have just read a testimony from a modern day prophet, seer and revelator. Take this testimony and let it work in you until you have your own. Rely on his testimony until you have your own.