Brigham Young University (BYU) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” BYU students take nearly a semester of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.
Here, in this column, students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the New Testament and gospel of Jesus Christ in the form of letters to someone they know. In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to witness to all of us of the relevance, power, and beauty of the New Testament, and God’s plan of happiness for each of us. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. Let us know how these may help you in your own life. Share them with a friend.
About Mormons: Milk for the Soul
When teaching a kindergartner to read, you start off with the letters of the alphabet. Once at least recognized, you add simple words, such as “a, the, and” and so on. You review the letters and simple words again, add more words, and repeat the cycle. It takes a long time for a child to learn to read, especially when their teacher is spread out with so many children.
This same principle applies when teaching someone the gospel of Jesus Christ. The early apostles spread the gospel throughout the land, then went back and reinforced and clarified gospel principles. Paul wrote letters to the saints in different areas, because he was unable to travel to them all personally. In the case of the Corinthians, Paul was unable to add much more to the existing teachings because the people had not grasped the basics. “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able” (1 Corinthians 3:1-2). Paul knew that these people needed to be taught the simple things first, because they were drowning in even that much responsibility. He knew what they were capable of understanding and taught them that much.
The Lord knows each of us personally. He will teach each of us in a way that will be understood by our unique self. He knows what each of us needs to grow. He has sent missionaries for His Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, throughout the world to spread the gospel. These missionaries often learn a foreign language and teach with a Bible and Book of Mormon to the people in their assigned area. When someone is investigating the Church, Heavenly Father sends the Holy Ghost, a member of the Godhead, to help the investigator feel the truth and know that his Heavenly Father loves him personally, and that he is a special son of God.
This gift of the Holy Ghost is described in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that he sent his son to pay the price for our sins, so that we might live with him again. He sends the Holy Ghost to us so that we can feel his presence, and be guided and comforted in this mortal life. We are eternal sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. We must understand this and know that we are loved beyond comprehension. We can live with him again, for all eternity, if we follow his plan.
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