Fall 2013 Here I Come!

(I loved sitting by this beautiful pond in the tops of the mountains pondering)

As I was reading the book " Increase in Learning: Spiritual Patterns for Obtaining Your Own Answers" by Elder David A. Bednar, I came across this paragraph. It makes me think about the way I learn and study things. It also makes me think about why I do the things I do and behave the way I behave and think the way I think. It reads as follows:

" Clearly we must use our minds and our rational capacity; however, we are not explicitly counseled to apply our minds, but our hearts, in seeking for understanding. Perhaps the implications of the scriptures is that reason and "the arm of flesh" (Doctrine and Covenants 1:19) are not sufficient to engender true understanding. The word understanding as used in the scriptures does not refer solely or even primarily to intellectual or cognitive comprehension. Rather, when the Holy Ghost confirms in our hearts as true what we know in our minds, understanding occurs.

" We begin to understand and experience a mighty change of heart as testimony and conviction more from our heads to our hearts. Thoughts and feelings put into our hearts by the Holy Ghost (see Doctrine and Covenants 100: 5-8, 8:2) are a result of the spiritual gift of revelation. Understanding, then, is a revealed conclusion and a spiritual gift."

Even though Elder Bednar is talking about understanding doctrinal concepts and gospel principles, I think this applies to many things that are not primarily spiritual in nature. We learn in the Book of Mormon that every good thing comes from Jesus Christ. I think modern medicine is good. I think literature is amazing. I even think mathematics is a good thing. What I am trying to get at is that if we learn of good things whether they be academic, or just everyday skills, the Holy Ghost will testify of the truth of those concepts because they are good and all good things come from Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost's purpose is to testify of Jesus Christ so would it not make sense that the Holy Ghost would testify of good things if they come from Jesus even if it is something as ordinary as mathematics?

As I approach this next semester at UVU, I want to take time to ponder and study the things I learn in my classes and pray about them. I hope that by doing this, the Holy Ghost will help me understand the concepts I will learn and help me know how to apply them. He will help me know why the things I learn are important. I hope that by praying about the things I learn in school I will come closer to my Heavenly Father because I am taking time to ponder His hand in my life and in the world's. I think if we pondered about academic concepts, we could see Heavenly Father in all things. I know one thing for sure: I like God more than I like school! So hopefully by working on this goal, school will become more enjoyable because I will learn more of my Heavenly Father.