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President Russell M. Nelson
I am intrigued that Joseph Smith—an unschooled young man in rural America—could have translated [the Book of Mormon]. That unlikely scenario relates to Isaiah’s remarkable prophecy:
“I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder.” (Isa. 29:14.) …
Truly, this latter-day work is precisely that. Think of the short time Joseph took to translate the Book of Mormon. Working from April to June of 1828, Joseph translated the 116 pages that Martin Harris later lost. Joseph began translating again on Tuesday, April 7, 1829, with Oliver Cowdery as scribe. The manuscript was completed eighty-five days later, on June 30 of that year. Of course, not all of that time was spent working on the translation. … Conservatively estimated, this left sixty-five or fewer working days on which the prophet and his scribes translated this book, which contains 531 pages in its current edition. … That calculates to an average of eight pages per day. Consider this when you translate a book, or as you schedule your own reading of the Book of Mormon. (Russell M. Nelson, “A Treasured Testament,” Ensign, July 1993, 61–62)
Elder David A. Bednar
“A learner exercising agency by acting in accordance with correct principles opens his or her heart to the Holy Ghost and invites His teaching, testifying power, and confirming witness. Learning by faith requires spiritual, mental, and physical exertion and not just passive reception. …
“… A student must exercise faith and act in order to obtain the knowledge for himself or herself” (David A. Bednar, “Seek Learning by Faith,” Ensign, Sept. 2007, 64).
Gospel Teaching and Learning Handbook
The scriptures teach that those seeking spiritual learning are to prepare their minds and hearts to receive instruction; to diligently seek knowledge and understanding through study, reflection, and prayer; and to follow the impressions they receive from the Holy Ghost (see Ezra 7:10; 1 Nephi 10:17–19; D&C 138:1–11; Joseph Smith—History 1:10–20). For many students, putting forth such effort to learn from the scriptures may seem unfamiliar and somewhat difficult. However, teachers can help them understand, accept, and fulfill their role in gospel learning. Teachers can help students learn how to take an active role in their spiritual learning by encouraging them to:
- Develop a habit of daily scripture study.
- Prepare their hearts and minds for the influence of the Spirit.
- Discover and express doctrines and principles that are relevant to their personal lives.
- Deepen understanding of the scriptures through diligent study, meditation, and prayer.
- Ask questions and seek for answers that help them better understand the gospel and how it applies to their lives.
- Share insights, experiences, and feelings.
- Explain gospel doctrines and principles to others and testify of their truthfulness.
- Develop scripture study skills, such as marking, cross-referencing, and using the scripture study aids.
By fulfilling their role in spiritual learning, students manifest their willingness to be taught by the Holy Ghost. They are often more committed to and excited about the scriptures. They understand and recall saving doctrines and principles more clearly and are more likely to apply what they have been taught. As students discover gospel doctrines and principles, ask questions, and share responses, they also learn valuable skills for studying on their own.
Through such participation, students will be enabled to teach the gospel more effectively to their families, friends, and others. They will also be better prepared to teach the doctrines and principles of the gospel in the future as missionaries, parents, teachers, and leaders in the Church.
In an effort to help the youth of the Church be fortified against the constant barrage of negative influences of social media, and prepare them to help share what they know with others, the Church approved an initiative called “Doctrinal Mastery.”
These two links below will take you to videos that help explain in more detail what Doctrinal Mastery is and its purpose, and give a real-life example of someone who had a question, sought for answers, and then was able to help others out who had the same question.
Perfection Doesn’t Come All At Once
“Do not expect to become perfect at once. If you do, you will be disappointed. Be better today than you were yesterday, and be better tomorrow than you are today. The temptations that perhaps partially overcome us today, let them not overcome us so far tomorrow. Thus continue to be a little better day by day; and do not let your life wear away without accomplishing good to others as well as to ourselves” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow[2012], 103).
Perfection Is Like Climbing a Ladder
“It is not wisdom that we should have all knowledge at once presented before us; but that we should have a little at a time; then we can comprehend it”
Teachings of Presidents of the CHurch: Joseph Smith [2007] p 268
“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. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 268).
