January Receiving a Testimony of Light and Truth

This lesson is based on a talk by Dieter F. Uchtdorf from last General Conference featured in the November 2014 Ensign.

Receiving a Testimony of Light and Truth

Related sources I found enlightening to the main topic:

Fireflies

A Worldwide Circle of Sisterhood



The info in footnotes 2 and 3 is interesting.

“The immensity of the universe didn’t suddenly change, but our ability to see and understand this truth changed dramatically.”
Discussion Points (hereafter DP): What do you think of this quote?  Is this sort of leap still possible?  If so, does this change how you think of secular knowledge?

“The Everlasting and Almighty God, the Creator of this vast universe, will speak to those who approach Him with a sincere heart and real intent. 

He will speak to them in dreams, visions, thoughts, and feelings.”

DP: Have you had experiences like described?  Are these ways the only way God speaks to you?  How do you know these are ways he speaks to you?

“First, you must search the word of God…not with an intent to doubt or criticize but with a sincere desire to discover truth.” 

DP: Why does this matter? 

“…prepare your minds to receive the truth.”


DP: How can you do this?

“Second, you must …fearlessly strive to believe.”  Read D & C 67:3

DP: When seeking answers from God do you do so with “fears in your heart”?  How can you overcome this if it is a tendency of yours?  Are there any scriptures you find helpful?

• 2 Timothy 1:7                     * 1 John 4:18                      * D & C 68: 5-6                   * Proverbs 3:5-6

“…If you want to recognize spiritual truth, you have to use the right instruments.  You can’t come to an understanding of spiritual truth with instruments that are unable to detect it. 

In talk read paragraphs 5 and 6 under the subheading “The Things of the Spirit Can be Understood Only by the Spirit”.  Beginning with, “The more we incline our hearts” and ending at, “…hazy, and distant.”

Read paragraphs 2-5 from Fireflies story in the Jan. 2015 Ensign.

DP: What we set our eyes on becomes our guiding light.  What are your fireflies?  How can you “tune” your spiritual instruments?

“The Church is a place of welcoming and nurturing, not of separating or criticizing.” 

DP: The gospel as taught by the Church is this but sometimes its members are not.  How can we be sure we are “welcoming and nurturing, not separating or criticizing?  I believe this can be done even while standing up for hard truths.  Brainstorm ideas to make this work.

“It is a place where we reach out to encourage, uplift, and sustain one another as we pursue our individual search for divine truth.”

Read quote on p. 81 (Ch. 6 cover quote by Boyd K. Packer) from Daughters in My Kingdom.

“The process of gathering spiritual light is the quest of a lifetime.” 

DP: VT plug – just because someone may appear to be strong doesn’t mean they are.  We must not shirk our duty to nurture one another because of appearance.

“The Savior promised that if you seek, you will find.”


DP: I believe this to be a blanket truth.  No matter the topic.  We will always find evidence to support our suppositions or what we believe to be true even if it is NOT true.  This is why knowing the source of evidence is just as important to know as the evidence itself.


CHALLENGE: Pray to recognize fireflies in your life and work toward fine tuning your spiritual instruments toward God and away from the fireflies.

I bear testimony that Heavenly Father had the fullness of His gospel restored to the earth through Joseph Smith.  I know the pattern for seeking out light and truth as set forth in this talk is one that can be relied upon in all circumstances.  I believe, as Brother Uchtdorf said that, “spiritual light is within the reach of every child of God.  It will enlighten your mind and bring healing to your heart and joy to your days.”  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.