Lesson 22 - Gaining Knowledge of Eternal Truths

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  Read the first paragraph on page 265. Think about habits or ideas that can “set bounds to the works and ways of the Almighty” in our lives. What do you think we need to do in order to embrace all the truth the Lord will give us?
  >I'm not even sure I understand the paragraph or the question here.  If I were to make a guess or some assumptions, I would say that we do create habits or ways of life that keep us from accessing the Spirit.  Blocking the influence of the Spirit keeps us from the truths and guidance that he would provide us to learn the mysteries of the Kingdom or to help us be obedient to Gods Commandments.
  >Answering the question again in a different way I think we need to remember two sets of instructions from the Lord that happen throughout the scriptures. First, we must serve God with all of our heart, might, mind and strength.  If we truly did this, if we were this committed, we would not bind God with our unbelief.  Second, we are commanded to "knock and it shall be opened unto us".  Are we knocking? Are we asking?  Father expects us to learn to ask for what we want/need.
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  • Review the last full paragraph on page 265. When has knowledge pushed darkness and doubt out of your life? Why do you think gaining knowledge of the truth is essential to receiving salvation? (For some examples, see pages 265–66.)
  >Life feels dark whenever I get caught up in the day to day activities, which seems to lead to selfishness.  Going to Church each week and attending Sacrament meeting, and the other meetings seem to always allow the Spirit to come back into my life. Life is better, brighter.  I can't think of any singular event that caused me to have significant darkness or doubt.
  >In a simple, tangible, view we can see that the sacred knowledge we get from the endowment session allows us to "walk past the angels that stand as sentinels"
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  • From the teachings of the Prophet Joseph, we can see that Satan wants us to lose knowledge (pages 265–66) and that the Lord wants to give us knowledge (pages 266–68). What can we learn from this contrast?
  >Father wants us to have Eternal Lives.  Satan wants us to be "miserable like unto himself"
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  • What can we do to increase our knowledge of the truth? (For some examples, see pages 261–63, 266–68.) Review the paragraph that begins at the bottom of page 267. Select a few of the characteristics listed in this paragraph. How does each of these characteristics prepare us to receive knowledge?
  >There is so much to learn that it is overwhelming.  When it comes to learning the gospel we should study our lessons before we go to church on Sunday.  And we should participate.  We should act on promptings from the Spirit as we participate or as we prepare.
  >Honesty, sobriety, solemnity, meekness, and others point to another, more fundamental attribute -- Humility. Humility means we are teachable.
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  • Read the second full paragraph on page 268. What can we learn from comparing our learning of gospel principles to climbing a ladder? What have you done to continually increase in your knowledge of the gospel?
  >Keep the Spirit, that's how knowledge grows and remains with you.  (The comforter will bring all things to our remembrance.)  This passage from 2 Nephi 28 is what I thought of in relation to the ladder concept. v. 30 "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts,and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, we have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have."  Many leave the church and think that they have maintained their understanding of the Gospel, but as you listen to them they say things that are just a little off.  It is amazing how the Spirit keeps our understanding of the doctrines and principles of the gospel.
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  • What are your thoughts or feelings as you ponder the last paragraph in this chapter?
  >Once we can recognize for the first time that we have received revelation of the Lord we should realize that the Lord wants us to know all that Joseph knew, or Nephi, or John the Beloved, or Isaiah, or any of the prophets.  Should we not seek this?  There are those that have had their calling an election made sure and they are those that have gained the knowledge of the eternal truths.  It has happened to those that are not general authorities, it can happen for each of us.  As we learn we can feel ourselves growing precept by precept like the scripture says.