"Seek Learning, Even by Study and Also by Faith"

The book "The Beginning of Better Days - Divine Instruction to Women from The Prophet Joseph Smith" (with personal insights from Sheri Dew and Virginia H. Pearce) has inspired me.

Sheri Dew has always been a role model of mine. I have loved her books since I was a young Beehive. She speaks to women like no one else and I always walk away from her books feeling a certain power, confidence and motivation that I don't feel anywhere else.

I came across this book not too long ago and have finally been able to take the time to read it this weekend while I have been sick in bed with a head cold. When digging into this book I feel my spirits lift in so many ways. I feel a sudden urge to share my thoughts and feelings more now than ever before. I have always wanted to create a place to record my studies, share them with those who want to listen. So here I am, finally getting to it.

To start off "The Beginning of Better Days", Virginia H. Pearce explains her feelings on Joseph Smith's words to the Relief Society women in Nauvoo. She prepares us first by explaining how we should study prophetic writings.

I believe it is the same for anything that has been written with an intent to edify us. She has created a list on how to correctly go about these writings and be entirely edified:

1. Pray - Seek guidance from the Holy Ghost.

2. Read straight through, underlining, and making quick notes.

3. Formulate Questions.

4. Return to the text, particularly the placed you have marked.

5. Study Historical Content.

6. Identify doctrines, principles, and applications, and compare against what you already know to be true.

7. Seek a witness and make personal application.

8. Act out of your new or strengthened gospel knowledge. 

I love this list and want to follow it faithfully every time I read something new.

I have always been great at underlining, taking notes, writing about it in my journal but never have I prayed consistently before I read. Or return to the book to be refreshed. Or even seek out a witness to share my thoughts.

Sister Pearce then goes on explaining, "There is something about speaking scriptural truth out loud, writing it on a page, or teaching and being taught-that breathes life into me." She couldn't have said it better.

Through this blog I will be seeking out a witness.

YOU will become the one to witness the things I am learning. I want to share them with you with the intent that we can both be uplifted and edified by the teachings and words of others.

With Love, 
jm


"And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." D&C 88:118