It's our first lesson from the new manuals - Chapter 1, Learning by Faith.
Pres. Lorenzo Snow has always had a love of learning. He always had a good. His Mom and sister actually joined the church before he did. After he was baptized and confirmed, he eventually turned his interest more to “the education of the Spirit” than to “book studies.
Sis. Nolan asked us, "What leads a person to continue learning throughout their life?
There were several comments made and wonderful insight shared from the sisters.
The manual went on to say, "In
this system of religion that you and I have received there is something
grand and glorious, and something new to learn every day, that is of
great value. And it is not only our privilege but it is necessary that
we receive these things and gather these new ideas.
The
whole idea of Mormonism is improvement—mentally, physically, morally
and spiritually. No half-way education suffices for the Latter-day Saint.
We have got to obtain knowledge before we obtain permanent happiness; we have got to be wide awake in the things of God...We have got so much ground to walk over, and if we fail to travel to-day, we shall have so much more to travel to-morrow."
Sis Nolan stated that we have got to keep pushing forward and progressing. If we "skip" a day of putting effort into something - ex.- reading the scriptures - we are that much further behind we start up again.
The manual tells us, "There
is a kind of education worthy [of] the best attention of all, and in
which all ought to engage—that is the education of the Spirit.
A
little spiritual knowledge is a great deal better than mere opinions
and notions and ideas, or even very elaborate arguments; a little
spiritual knowledge is very important and of the highest consideration...If our minds are too one-sided, paying too much attention to the
acquiring of earthly goods, to the neglect of spiritual wealth, we are
not wise stewards."
Sis Nolan again presented a question to us, "What does the education of the Spirit mean to you?" Elder Bednar gave an example of the parable of the fisherman - The give a man a fish vs. teaching a man to fish. When you are given an answer by another person you are likely to remember it for a bit but soon it is forgotten. If you discover an answer for yourself it is highly more likely you will remember it. Some of our best education is "caught" not taught.
The Holy Ghost is our teacher and we get to have a teacher with us all the time.
Sis Nolan bore her testimony of Learning by faith by saying, now is the time to apply faith in your learning and it will broaden your mind, perspective and what you learn. You will be enlightened.