I am always grateful when I am taught while I read the scriptures. One way this happens is when I am taught how different scriptures (or Conference talks) relate to one another and how they illustrate, amplify, clarify, or otherwise help me understand what the other is saying.
It happened again yesterday.
Yesterday morning, while doing my back-stretching exercises, I listened to Elder Bednar’s recent Conference talk where he talked about the purpose and “implications of home-centered and Church-supported” gospel learning. He used the example of how Joseph Smith came to know for himself gospel truths and that each of us have an opportunity to come to know for ourselves. I think this is the hope of every Latter-day Saint parent or grandparent—that their children/grandchildren will come to know for themselves. This is certainly one of the aims of the Come Follow Me program.
Then I was reading 1 Nephi 15 where Nephi asks his brothers if they have inquired of the Lord (so they could know the answers to some gospel questions). They said they had not, “for God maketh no such thing known unto us.” Nephi encouraged them and tried to help them have faith that God could let them know for themselves if they would pay the price.
As I thought about it further, I realized that this principle was also taught in the reading mom (Dedie) and I did in the 1 Corinthians 1-7, in the Come Follow Me lesson we read together last Sunday. Here Paul teaches that we learn things of the Spirit when we are taught by the Spirit.
When we are confirmed members of the Church we are told, “Receive the Holy Ghost.” This is a blessing we can receive throughout our lives. It is how we are taught the mind and will of the Lord. It can bring us comfort, peace, guidance, and help us figure out what to do in our life, and it is how we come to "know for ourselves."
I am grateful to my Father for this marvelous gift.
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