Perhaps the best way to leverage our study time is to couple it with powerful sincere prayer. Here are 2 examples from the scriptures which do just that; First, D&C 77 which is essentially a study question and answer session with Joseph asking and God answering. How I would have liked to be a fly on that wall. Second, Alma says to his son Corianton, “.. Now, I unfold unto you a mystery; nevertheless, there are many mysteries which are kept, that no one knoweth them save God himself. But I show unto you one thing which I have inquired diligently of God that I might know—that is concerning the resurrection.” (Alma 40:3)
Contrasting these two major revelations of new doctrine, can be extremely beneficial. Notice that Joseph asks very direct questions as to meaning of symbolic language in the Book of Revelation, answers are dictated almost in a word for word fashion. It appears as though each question although thought out hadn’t been the focus of months or even weeks of fasting and prayer, but were questions to which an immediate answer was given. Alma’s account gives the impression of weeks and months of fasting and prayer, with great pondering. I don’t think that Alma had less faith, maybe just not enough clues to begin to put together very concrete ideas at first.
When we pray before our study, are we imploring the Father to send the Holy Ghost to instruct us? In the middle of our study do we jot down specific questions and then ask the meaning and record the dictations of the spirit? Do we also have general wonderings, over which we ponder, and inquire diligently over an extended period of time? When we seek answers to our questions, and let the questions sink deep into our hearts we are likely to receive great revelations, which may at some future point save our children. If however we don’t learn to search the mysteries, we will remain forever ignorant, not knowing the things of God.
