Experience the Gospel Instead of Just Intellectualizing It
The doctrine of Christ, as revealed in the Book of Mormon, teaches church members how to experience the gospel; not just learning it for the sake of understanding.
The gospel is experienced when we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is more important to experience the gospel than it is to understand it. When we experience the gospel we understand it on a whole different level as compared to study alone.
What I've just said may sound like I've got things backwards; after all, doesn't one need to understand the gospel before they experience it? Yes, there needs to be some basic understanding of the gospel. The following definition from Preach My Gospel, page 5, explains what one needs to know.
The Savior defined His gospel to include some very vital and basic doctrines:
1. He came into the world to do His Father's will, and His Father sent Him into the world to be lifted up on the cross
2. By His Atonement and Resurrection, all men will be lifted up to stand before Christ to be judged of their works, whether they be good or evil
3. Those who exercise faith in Christ, repent of their sins, and are baptized in Christ's name can be sanctified by the Holy Ghost
4. If they endure to the end, they will stand spotless before Christ at the last day and will enter into the rest of the Lord. Christ will hold them guiltless before the Father. He will be their Mediator and Advocate
5. Those who do not endure in faithfulness to the end will be "cast into the fire . . . because of the justice of the Father."
With the knowledge contained in this definition, and a believing heart, the new or long time member of the church is prepared to fulfill their baptism covenant and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. After that, with the Spirit's guidance, understanding the gospel in greater depth will come as one learns line upon line, and precepts upon precept.
The Lord is not pleased with those who are more interested in learning and teaching the gospel than they are in experiencing it. The Book of Mormon says there will be those who "shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost" (2 Nephi 28:4). In another verse we learn that some among us "preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world" (2 Nephi 26:29).
Church members who turn the gospel into an academic exercise are denied the Spirit while those who apply the doctrine of Christ will experience the gospel by receiving manifestations of the Holy Ghost.
Elder Richard G. Scott told of an experience he had while attending two classes during the block that illustrates my point.
"The first class was taught by a humble, unschooled, priesthood leader who struggled to communicate truths of the gospel. It was obvious they had touched his life profoundly. I felt his intense desire to communicate those principles because they would be of great worth to his brethren. In his manner there was evidence of a pure love of the Savior and love for those he taught. That love, sincerity, and purity of intent permitted a spirit to envelop the room. I was so touched that in addition to receiving again a witness of the truths he presented, I began to receive some personal impressions...Next I visited the Sunday School class, where a well-educated individual presented his lesson. That experience was a striking contrast to that of the priesthood meeting. It seemed as though the instructor had purposely chosen obscure references and unusual examples to illustrate the principles in the lesson. I will confess that I had the distinct impression that he was using the teaching opportunity to impress the class with his vast store of knowledge. He did not seem as intent on communicating truth as the humble priesthood leader had been." [1]
The Book of Mormon condemns the acquisition of knowledge when it leads to a prideful heart saying "...the wise, and the learned...who are puffed up because of their learning..." will be shut out from the gift of the Holy Ghost "save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility..." (2 Nephi 9:42).
The doctrine of Christ is the antidote for pride and every other form of ungodliness and the Book of Mormon is the key to understanding and experiencing it.
[1] Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge, Richard G. Scott, BYU Devotional 17 August 1993.
July 17th, 2009 - 16:47
Great reminder. I often worry about this issue. It’s easy to fall into intellectual blather sometimes in our preparation because we want to be prepared and we want to be effective, but we can’t anticipate how the Spirit will work on listeners during the lesson or talk so we prepare as if it won’t be there, appealing more to the natural man’s taste than the spiritual man’s.
July 18th, 2009 - 23:38
You said, “It is more important to experience the gospel than it is to understand it,” and “The Lord is not pleased with those who are more interested in learning and teaching the gospel than they are in experiencing it.”
These are two very bold statements you make, but you back them both up with scripture and the quote from Elder Scott. I take these statements to heart as they hit close to home. I love to learn and teach the gospel but know that I can do a much better job of internalizing it and living it in faithfulness.
I also like your statement, “Church members who turn the gospel into an academic exercise are denied the Spirit while those who apply the doctrine of Christ will experience the gospel by receiving manifestations of the Holy Ghost.” I have seen that all over the Bloggernacle as I’m sure you have.
Of course, we cannot judge another’s spiritual life by the manner in which they write, but sometimes it is fairly obvious when they mock sacred things or by the way they write about them, make it clear that they do not understand them. It is indeed more important to experience the gospel than to fully understand it.
Line upon line. That’s how the Lord teaches his children. The missionaries teach just enough so the people can determine for themselves if they can make and keep sacred covenants. The spirit will teach them and help them gain more knowledge as they need it in their spiritual journey.
Great post. Well worth the read. I gave it five stars. Thanks.
July 19th, 2009 - 09:04
Michaela Stephens–
Great point. The fact you often worry about this issue is an important part of not falling into it. I’ve also found that as I get older, and closer to my end of days, I find it easier to be humbled by my “lackings” than my achievements.
July 19th, 2009 - 09:20
Tim–
Thanks for reading and commenting. It’s always a pleasure to have your input.
So many of our gifted members in the Nacle intellectualize “principles of the gospel”, but rarely share testimony of them.
We need more gifted members like you, Michaela, and a hand full of others who not only discuss principles but testify of them as well.
Note: I’m sorry to hear that your family is dealing with cancer. I sincerely ask the Lord’s blessing to be with your family.
My 34 year old daughter in law just started chemo for breast cancer, and several ward members are dealing with it as well.