"Seek ye not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men." (Doctrine and Covenants 11:21).
This scripture was mentioned in a talk I read on the LDS website called "Jesus, the Master Teacher". I really like how the scripture is set up with a "first, and then" structure. First, I need to obtain his word, and then I'll be able to preach of Christ. It's so simple, but makes so much sense. How can I teach about something I don't know very well? I can't. If I want to be able to tell others about my testimony, I first have to have one. If I want to talk to others about the Atonement and it's meaning, I first have to have felt it work in my life. Christ taught by example, that's why he understood his teachings perfectly, because he lived them. If I want to truly be a witness of Christ, I have to follow his teachings better, live a life patterned after him.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The way is so simple, it's often hard to devote ourselves to it like we would to something that takes years to master. Conversely, you can study the gospel forever, and keep uncovering hidden mysteries that you never saw before.
ReplyDeleteIt's like the bread and the loaves, that anyone can see and take part of, yet it is never ending.