Seek Learning, Even by Study and Also by Faith - Scriptures and Quotes

Gospel Doctrine - Lesson 23

On January 14, 1833, the Prophet wrote to W.W. Phelps, who was struggling to stop the apostasy in Missouri, enclosing a copy of section 88.  Part of the letter read as follows,

"I send you the 'olive leaf' which we have plucked from the Tree of Paradise, the Lord's message of peace to us; for though our brethren in Zion indulge in feelings towards us, which are not according to the requirements of the new covenant, yet, we have the satisfaction of knowing that the Lord approves of us, and has accepted us, and established His name in Kirtland for the salvation of the nations; for the Lord will have a place whence His word will go forth, in these last days, in purity....

“The brethren in Kirtland pray for you unceasingly, for, knowing the terrors of the Lord, they greatly fear for you. You will see that the Lord commanded us, in Kirtland, to build a house of God, and establish a school for the Prophets, this is the word of the Lord to us, and we must, yea, the Lord helping us, we will obey: as on conditions of our obedience.

“He has promised us great things; yea, even a visit from the heavens to honor us with His own presence"

Reading 1 – Doctrine and Covenants 88:77-80

Reading 2 – Doctrine and Covenants 88:118

Reading 3 - President Marion G. Romney of the First Presidency 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, comp. George J. Romney [1977], 72).

Reading 3A - Elder Dallin H. Oaks wrote:  "The things of God cannot be learned solely by study and reason. Despite their essential and beneficial uses, the methods of study and reason are insufficient as ways of approaching God and understanding the doctrines of his gospel." (Lord's Way, p56)

Reading 3B - Brother Joseph Fielding McConkie wrote:  "The eyes of faith enable us to see much that otherwise goes unobserved, whereas those who refuse to see and feel the things of the Spirit eventually become blind to such things and beyond feeling." (Answers: Straightforward Answers To Tough Gospel Questions, p174)

Reading 4 – Doctrine and Covenants 88:127-131

Reading 5 – Doctrine and Covenants 88:122-125

Orson Pratt said the brethren gathered in the School of the Prophets to learn about "the operations of the Spirit upon the mind of man" (The Heaven's Resound:  A History of the Latter-day Saints in Ohio, 1830-1838, p266).

Reading 6 – John Taylor said that Joseph Smith counseled the elders not to hesitate in expressing their thoughts, for, the Prophet said, "it was very common for the Holy Spirit to reveal some things to obscure individuals that were not known to others. Consequently, an exchange of ideas and reflections was considered profitable to all." (Ibid., p266)

Reading 7 -  John Murdock recorded the following experience at the school in the spring of 1833:  "The Prophet told us if we could humble ourselves before God, and exercise strong faith, we should see the face of the Lord. And about midday the visions of my mind were opened, and the eyes of my understanding were enlightened, and I saw the form of a man, most lovely, the visage of his face was sound and fair as the sun. His hair a bright silver gray, curled in most majestic form. His eyes a keen penetrating blue, and the skin of his neck a most beautiful white and he was covered from the neck to the feet with a loose garment, pure white, whiter than any garment I have ever before seen. His countenance was most penetrating, and yet most lovely. And while I was endeavoring to comprehend the whole personage from head to feet it slipped from me, and the vision was closed....  But it left on my mind the impression of love, for months, that I never felt before to that degree." (The Heaven's Resound:  A History of the Latter-day Saints in Ohio, 1830-1838, p267)

Reading 8 – Doctrine and Covenants 88:119

Reading 9 - Elder John A. Widtsoe said:  "The temple is a place of instruction. Here the principles of the gospel are reviewed and profound truths of the kingdom of God are unfolded. If we enter the temple in the right spirit and are attentive, we go out enriched in gospel knowledge and wisdom." (John A. Widtsoe, “Looking toward the Temple,” Ensign, Jan 1972, 56)

Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve wrote:

“The temple is a great school. It is a house of learning. In the temples the atmosphere is maintained so that it is ideal for instruction in matters that are deeply spiritual. …

“The temple ceremony will not be fully understood at first experience. It will only be partly understood. Return again and again and again. Return to learn. Things that have troubled you or things that have been puzzling or things that have been mysterious will become known to you. Many of them will be the quiet, personal things that you really cannot explain to anyone else. But to you they are things known. …

“So look toward the temple. Point your children toward the temple. From the days of their infancy, direct their attention to it, and begin their preparation for the day when they may enter the holy temple.

“In the meantime, be teachable yourself, be reverent. Drink deeply from the teachings—the symbolic, deeply spiritual teachings—available only in the temple” (The Holy Temple [pamphlet, 1982], 6–8).