Day 13 - Obtain Knowledge-Seek learning even by study and also by faith.

How can the Holy Ghost help me to know the truth?

D&C 88:118

And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
How can I gain a knowledge of Jesus Christ? Do I take the time to read my scriptures each day? Do I take the time to pray AND listen for the answers? In all my decisions today will I ask, "What would Christ do?"


I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy;

And by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive (D&C 11:11-14; emphasis added).

Partial talk: Richard G. Scott, Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge, Ensign, Nov. 1993, 86

President Ezra Taft Benson emphasized the importance of spiritual knowledge, saying:

We should make daily study of the scriptures a lifetime pursuit. The most important [thing] you can do is to immerse yourselves in the scriptures. Search them diligently. Learn the doctrine. Master the principles.
You must see that searching the scriptures is not a burden laid upon [us] by the Lord, but a marvelous blessing and opportunity (Ensign, Nov. 1986, p. 47).

President Spencer W. Kimball commented:

Spiritual learning takes precedence. The secular without the foundation of the spiritual is like the foam upon the milk, the fleeting shadow. One need not choose between the two for there is opportunity to get both simultaneous (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1982, p. 390).

As you seek spiritual knowledge, search for principles. Carefully separate them from the detail used to explain them. Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances. A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and compelling circumstances. It is worth great effort to organize the truth we gather to simple statements of principle. I have tried to do that with gaining spiritual knowledge. The result is now shared in hope that it will be a beginning place for your study. That statement of principle is:

To acquire spiritual knowledge and to obey it with wisdom, one must:
In humility, seek divine light.
Exercise faith in Jesus Christ.
Hearken to His counsel.
Keep His commandments.
As spiritual knowledge unfolds, it must be understood, valued, obeyed, remembered, and expanded.

The following scriptures teach why we should seek divine light.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Ps. 119:105; emphasis added).
I, the Lord, will be a light unto them forever, that hear my words (2 Ne. 10:14; emphasis added).
It is I that speak; I am the light which shineth in darkness, and by my power I give these words unto thee.
Put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good, yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.

Analogies with physical light help us understand the power of spiritual light. A bulb ignited in a dark room overpowers darkness. Yet if the darkness is too intense, it can overpower light, as with a bulb plunged into a bucket of black ink. Spiritual light overcomes the darkness of ignorance and disbelief. When transgression severely clouds a life, the focused spiritual truths of repentance cut the blackness as a laser penetrates the darkest ink.