Introductory Materials

Learning by Faith

The Role of the Learner

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you and want to teach you the gospel by the power of the Holy Ghost. What can you do to receive more of what They are willing to teach you? This lesson can help you get the most out of your seminary experience by understanding what it means to learn by faith in Jesus Christ.

The Lord loves effort

Watch the video “An Especially Noble Calling,” available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 2:16 to 3:49 or read the statement below. Think about situations in which this statement could be applied.

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

The Lord loves effort, because effort brings rewards that can’t come without it. (Russell M. Nelson, in Joy D. Jones, “An Especially Noble Calling,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 16)

• How could we apply President Nelson’s statement in our lives? For example, how might it apply to missionary work, ministering, or getting an education?

• How do you think it could apply to learning the gospel of Jesus Christ in seminary this year?

To help you evaluate your own gospel learning, think about the following questions:

• What efforts are you currently making to learn the gospel of Jesus Christ? How have you invited God to teach you?

• Do you feel that you are getting the results you want and need? Why or why not?

As you study this lesson, think about ways you want to learn and grow this year in seminary. Seek Heavenly Father’s guidance through the Holy Ghost to help you know how to apply this lesson to your life.

Book of Mormon teachings

Read at least two of the following doctrinal mastery passages, looking for how our own efforts and desires play a role and how God plays a role in our gospel learning.

• 2 Nephi 28:30

• 2 Nephi 32:3

• 2 Nephi 32:8–9

• Ether 12:6

• Moroni 10:4–5

• What did you find that could help you learn more from God during seminary?

• What do you think the results would be if someone expected God to give them knowledge but did not make their own effort? Or if they made an effort but did not seek God’s help? Why?

Based on what you have studied so far today, summarize in one sentence what you understand about learning the gospel.

Can seminary change your life?

Watch the video “Seminary Can Change Lives” (4:14), available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. As you watch, think about possible reasons why the video was named “Seminary Can Change Lives” rather than “Seminary Will Change Your Life.”

• Why do you think it is accurate to say that seminary can change lives?

Read the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson, looking for what will help determine whether your life will be changed by seminary.

The more you follow the example of Jesus Christ, the more successful you will be.

What, then, will help you become such a devout disciple of Jesus Christ? One answer is seminary and institute—not just attending but actively participating in class and faithfully following through with any assignments given. …

Graduating from seminary and institute will increase your ability to excel in the most important things you will ever do in life. True joy will be yours! (Russell M. Nelson, “A Personal Invitation to Participate in Seminary and Institute,” Feb. 2019, ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• What stood out to you in President Nelson’s statement? Why?

• How could you focus on following Jesus Christ during your experience in seminary?

• What do you think “actively participating” in seminary means?

How to get the most out of seminary

1. Record your advice for the following scenario.

   

   Imagine that the young man in this picture is attending seminary for the first time. He wants to learn and grow spiritually but is unsure how to do it. Based on what you have learned today and your past experience in seminary and church, record the advice you would give him.

   Be sure to include

   • what he could do before, during, and after class to enhance his spiritual learning

   • how he could focus on following the Savior and invite the Holy Ghost to teach him

Set a goal to get the most out of your seminary experience this year. To do this, you might answer the following questions:

• What are you hoping to get out of seminary this year?

• What are you willing to do to show the Lord that you want to learn from Him and become more like Him?

Optional: Want to Learn More?

What can I do to receive and remember what Heavenly Father wants to teach me?

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

Write down in a secure place the important things you learn from the Spirit. You will find that as you record a precious impression, often others will come that you would not have otherwise received. Also, the spiritual knowledge you gain will be available throughout your life. Always, day or night, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, seek to recognize and respond to the direction of the Spirit. Have available a piece of paper or a card to record such guidance.

Express gratitude to the Lord for the spiritual guidance you receive and obey it. This practice will reinforce your capacity to learn by the Spirit. It will enhance the guidance of the Lord in your life. You will learn more as you act upon the knowledge, experience, and inspiration communicated to you by the Holy Ghost. (Richard G. Scott, “How to Learn by the Spirit,” New Era, Sept. 2014, 48)

Why is my participation in class important?

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

[Students’] decision to participate is an exercise in agency that permits the Holy Ghost to communicate a personalized message suited to their individual needs. …

That participation will bring into [students’] lives the direction of the Spirit. … Participation allows individuals to experience being led by the Spirit. They learn to recognize and feel what spiritual guidance is. (Richard G. Scott, “To Learn and to Teach More Effectively” [Brigham Young University Education Week devotional, Aug. 21, 2007], 4–5, speeches.byu.edu)

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to action. …

… Learning by faith requires spiritual, mental, and physical exertion and not just passive reception. It is in the sincerity and consistency of our faith-inspired action that we indicate to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, our willingness to learn and receive instruction from the Holy Ghost. (David A. Bednar, “Seek Learning by Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, Sept. 2007, 63–64)

Watch the video “1.3.3 Spiritual Learning Requires Effort,” available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 0:00 to 2:13. Look for what Elder Bednar taught about the importance of actively participating in class.