Ether 3:20
Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him.
Speaking of the hope and preparation to experience the second comforter, one of the main themes, which I'd like to speak to today, is that of knowledge. Ether states that the Brother of Jared could not be kept from within the veil and saw Jesus because of his perfect knowledge.
Joseph Fielding Smith said the first key to the power of Salvation is knowledge.(Doctrines of Salvation) He also taught “The greatest achievement mankind can make in this world is to familiarize themselves with divine truth, so thoroughly, so perfectly, that the example or conduct of no creature living in the world can ever turn them away from the knowledge that they have obtained." (Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge, Richard G Scott, 1993, BYU Speeches, [GD, pp. 3–4])
Isaiah also states that wisdom and knowledge is the stability and strength of salvation. (Isaiah 33:6)
In April 2021 Pres Nelson issued us a charge to be worthy and willing to help prepare the world for the Second coming of the Lord. How do we obey this charge? I have felt strongly that doing all we can to gain perfect knowledge or divine truth is one such way.
Pres Nelson said in Oct 2021"There has never been a time in the history of the world when knowledge of our Savior is more personally vital and relevant to every human soul." And He invoked a blessing upon all who are seeking greater light, knowledge, and truth.
The following scriptures teach why we should seek greater light, knowledge and truth.
Ps. 119:105
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”
2 Ne. 10:14
“I, the Lord, … will be a light unto them forever, that hear my words”
D&C 11:11–14
“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. …
“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”
The Savior also declared in D&C 84:43–47:
“I now give unto you a commandment … to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.
“For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.
“For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
“And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.
“And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto … the Father”
So how do we obey this commandment to seek divine light, knowledge and truth?
1.Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened Matt. 7:7-8
2. Be people of sound understanding like the sons of Mosiah who searched the scriptures diligently so they could be strong in the knowledge and truth of God.
Alma 17:2
In D&C 77:4 we learn through John the revelator's beast that the eyes represent light and knowledge. When we have the eyes to see, the Holy Ghost shows or reveals to us light and knowledge. How can we open our eyes to receive this light and knowledge?
2 Nephi 32:3-5 Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
4 Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark.
5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.
Alma 32 teaches us we are to plant, nourish and grow the seeds of truth and knowledge we are given.
In verse 31 we are reminded that every seed can only bring forth from its own likeness, meaning when we grow a seed of truth and knowledge we will expand our understanding in that idea or concept.
Elder Scott in his talk entitled Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge in 1993 shares with us some very practical advice which is to separate the seeds or packets of knowledge into principles…
"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."
Back to Alma 32, verse 34 shows that each individual seed or principle can become perfect knowledge…
And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand.
How do we know that our knowledge is good? Verse 35 teaches that knowledge is light and light is discernible.
O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good.Alma 32:35
How do we know we are progressing? We will feel the light growing within. D&C 121 teaches us that perfect knowledge greatly enlarges the soul.
However a warning from Joseph Smith;
When God offers a blessing or knowledge to a man, and he refuses to receive it, he will be damned. (TPJS p322)
In April 2019, Pres Nelson taught us how righteous endowed members receive the spiritual gift of knowledge, "Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God. Those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God’s priesthood power by virtue of their covenant, along with a gift of knowledge to know how to draw upon that power.
Then in April 2020 he asked us to "Study and pray to learn more about the power and knowledge with which you have been endowed".
President Joseph Fielding Smith confirmed:
“Now the Lord would give us gifts. He will quicken our minds. He will give us … a knowledge that will be so deeply rooted in our souls that [it] … can never be rooted out, if we will just seek for the light … and the understanding which is promised to us, and which we can receive if we will only be true and faithful to every covenant and obligation pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ” (in Conference Report, Oct 1958, p22)
In D&C 89:19 we find a promise that along with obedience, the Saints shall find great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.
President Kimball taught:
“The treasures of both secular and spiritual knowledge are hidden ones—but hidden from those who do not properly search and strive to find them. … Spiritual knowledge is not available merely for the asking; even prayers are not enough. It takes persistence and dedication of one’s life. … Of all treasures of knowledge, the most vital is the knowledge of God” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 389–90).
Pres Nelson April 2018 "I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that “if thou shalt [seek], 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."
In Oct 2022 Pres Nelson shared,
my dear brothers and sisters, so many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns “with power and great glory,” He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful.
And just last conference Pres Nelson shared:
I know that His power is descending on His covenant-keeping people, who are armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory
D&C 88
67 And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.
Mosiah 4:11 teaches us that we can come to the knowledge of the glory of God and one of the ways to do that is to be steadfast in believing the prophecies taught which are to come.
What amazing promises these are! I testify that as we ask we will be shown what we need to study and learn. As we search diligently the Holy Ghost does reveal knowledge and this light is tangible and brings much joy. And as we continue to increase in light and truth, our comprehension in each individual principle can be so rooted that it becomes perfect knowledge. I trust in these promises and know that God cannot lie thus as we move forward perfecting our knowledge, I know that we will become strong in the truth of God and the Lord will unveil His face to us in his own time and way, according to his will. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen
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