Learn of Me.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

I’m in love with these words released by my Savior.  Within my record of best-loved scriptures, it can be located near the very top of the list.  It is dear to me as it acts as a source of great stability in my life.  These words supply peace, patience, and perseverance.  Essentially, they assist me in being still, even if circumstances are raging.  I know that I am not alone in finding treasure within these verses, for numerous individuals have fastened them to their middle in the same fashion as I.  It is not surprising that many find common connection with it, for these words are sublime and present ease to even the most complicated moments.

Recently, I have recognized this scripture appearing with continued frequency.  I view it in articles I read, books I study, talks I listen to, lessons I prepare for, and have noticed it within inspired messages that pop into my social media feed.  It is existing all around me.  I concluded that these words must need ubiquitous presence, to provide security to Heavenly Father’s children with the happenings surrounding us.  I observed that others found the same individualized solidity that I had gained from this promise from Christ.  What I didn’t take the time to originally acknowledge, was that the Lord was trying to convey a specific message to me through these cherished words, one that I had not perceived prior.  He was seeking to have me reread His words, desiring that I discover more from them than I had before.  He encouraged me to identify a deeper awareness which would assist in realizing the intensity of His commitment, as I amplified my dedication to Him. 

Being favored, the words within these verses are extremely familiar to me.  Each time I reread them, my smile was full, my joy immense, and I located the same comfort which has always overwhelmed me.  I quickly identified my personalized message, the very one that has always stood out clearly. I remember it vividly because it had been a direct answer to a heartfelt cry to the Lord.  It was not communication I could easily forget, for it had been customized to me in such a way that it engrained itself to my core.   I was grateful to read this scripture every time I came across it, but was unable to decipher the Lord’s whisper, which called to me, saying: Brynn, look deeper.  There is something more for you here.

One night this week as I was reading through the Ensign, I came across the scripture again.  After months of continuous attempts from the Lord, my ears finally perceived His voice.  I was positioned in such a way which allowed the Holy Ghost to reveal further absorption by way of my favorite words.  What I grasped came through three words I had previously never given much heed to: Learn of me. 

Learn of me.  As I pondered over these highlighted words, profound thoughts poured down, tumbling one over the other.  New enlightenment was supplied, targeting areas of my comprehension which were previously untouched, delivering great opportunities for growth.  I discovered an additional piece of distinct communication from my Heavenly Father, conveyed through a scripture I had cherished and reviewed a multitude of times.  This heightened insight added clarification to my original takeaway, and issued me with supplementary understanding in how to acquire peace. 

In these verses Christ is revealing to those who bear weighty tribulations that He can provide them with rest.  Come unto me, He exclaims, knowing that His hands can heal, lighten burdens, and supply hope.  He invites us to take His yoke upon us, because united to His side is where alleviation of heavy troubles emerge.  It makes sense why these two parts initially struck my heart.  I was craving for succor such as this, and through His words, I learned that it could be experienced by faithfully coming to Him.

However, He also requests that we learn of Him.  Why?  Why is it essential that we learn who He is?  Perhaps, it is our extended knowledge of Him that produces an expansion of faith, which distributes extended strength, increased capability, and introduces the desired calm we seek after.  Basically, when we acquire a knowledge of Him, of what He can do, how He can mend, why He is able, and what He sacrificed in order to supply, peace is delivered because our faith in who and what He is becomes firmly planted.  Our willingness to endure trial and suffering enhance, because we know, not just hope, but know, we are not alone, and truly recognize that relief is never out of reach. 

This scripture collides alongside many other verses in the Bible and Book of Mormon, which exist to emphasize the incredible power that accompanies knowledge, and stresses the importance of obtaining it.  Knowledge is our protection.  Entering and existing in these last days, we need every inch of safety we can secure.  The scriptures, as well as past and living prophets, have repeatedly taught how vital spiritual knowledge is to us during this mortal experience.  It acts as our shelter.  It provides stable, unmoving ground, no matter how much the world around us staggers.  It produces a sanctuary within a society that pummels falsifications in every direction.  It furnishes a refuge, one that will sustain through corruption.  Knowledge is our righteous shield, preserving us from even the vilest of evil forces that seek to destroy and pull us off course.  Grasping this, we must ask ourselves, do we value and seek after it as desperately as we should?  

I love the quote from the Prophet Joseph Smith which reads:

A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the earth. 

That last portion is incredibly intense: …evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on earth.   That is eye-opening, and so unbelievably packed with truth. 

The spirits that followed after Satan and reign as his angels are not without awareness.  We cannot disregard this fact, nor should we minimize the great forces of evil that rage against us.  They do have a knowledge of the things that we are currently working to recall, due to our veiled remembrance, here on earth.  Although they lack the opportunity to have the mysteries of God unfolded, and are denied the heightened comprehension that accompanies the process towards perfection, they are not uninformed about spiritual truths and actualities.  We must recall that they, too, existed in the premortal sphere.  If they were unlearned regarding these things, why would they ever seek to fight so hard?  There would be no purpose to drag us from the iron rod.  But they do know, and they do not want us to know, especially Satan.  He wants the power.  He wants the control.  After all, hasn’t he declared this sphere as his place of dominion?  He wants to be great, and knows that we will become greater, stronger, more powerful with every element of understanding we obtain.  Naturally, he is obsessed with distracting, diverting, and disturbing any attainment of magnified knowledge, because he loses authority with each component we access. 

Laboring towards continual advancement of spiritual knowledge is absolutely essential.  Without it we stand weak, and offer targets to Satan.  He utilizes our deficiencies and lack of understanding against us.  He attempts to fill our emptiness and ignorance with doctrines of man, convincing us of falsehoods.  We have to fill our learning with goodness and truth.  We have been taught to study from the best of books, to pore over the words that live within the scriptures, to cling to knowledge that consumes light, and to be persistent, demonstrating faith, even, and especially, when certain areas of our learning is not immediately understood.  This specific element seems to be one that Satan has a giant bullseye upon. 

Spiritual truths can be difficult for our mortal minds to comprehend, and some are not easily interpreted.  Some find certain teachings to be perplexing.  Others experience complexity in reading and grasping scriptures.  Some feel particular doctrine conflict personal beliefs or attitudes.  While others struggle in following counsel that contradicts what the world accepts.  We must not immediately assume that what is being delivered is erroneous because it is not effortlessly comprehended, nor should we become frustrated with ourselves or our abilities because absorption is not instantaneous. How completely normal it is for us to need contemplation, to necessitate reflection.  These eternal truths are being delivered from a celestial sphere.  They are unfamiliar to our immediate surroundings because they are divinely distinct.  There will be portions of spiritual knowledge which will take persistent study to acquire.   We must allow it, but should never forsake it, simply because it does not provide initial coherence or clarity.    

We cannot, and should not shun or shy away from knowledge that is not easily comprehended.  These are individualized opportunities, provided directly from our Heavenly Father, to enhance us and enrich our knowledge banks.  Some understanding requires time, and our Heavenly Father places trust in us, that we will engage in such a way which will enable our misunderstandings to blossom into mastered convictions.  Through diligent study, sincere prayer, and ceaseless patience truth will be delivered.  Whether it be a day, a month, a year, or a lifetime, our efforts will produce reward.  We are never left without, but always abundantly provided for when laboring towards truths of our heavenly home.  However, the responsibility lies within us.  What we choose to do with these situations determines what additional and advanced knowledge we will be conferred.

All things are done in the wisdom of Him.  Knowledge and interpretation is built piece by piece, constructed precept upon precept.  Very rarely, if ever, is it received in an expeditious method.  Our Heavenly Father grants us the portion of knowledge He believes we need, and adds to it as we become ready to receive additional truths.  He will never bestow knowledge that we are unprepared for, or unworthy of.  Not having a perfect knowledge of all, requires faith and denotes obedience.  We must be willing to exert, appreciate, and yearn for further enlightenment.  We must show gratitude for the portions we have received, utilize what we have been allowed in virtuous ways, and seek after more.  As we righteously desire and earnestly labor, further truth and knowledge will be dispensed.

As demonstrated in the gospel, the Lord provides and teaches frequently by way of repetition.  Repetitive behaviors and engagements are what allow us to increase our understanding level by level.  It stands as an example that spiritual knowledge has depth, and that time, combined with patience, are required to obtain a lucid comprehension.  As mortals we can tend to become weary, and may find recurrent activities, to be monotonous and mundane.  We may become detached from the actions that are provided as sources which lead toward enlightenment.  This is dangerous because as we disconnect we lose opportunity to receive expanded insight, and are deprived of revelations which unveil presently misunderstood mysteries of God.  We must refrain from becoming fatigued, finding boredom, or creating careless routines with our actions.  As we participate with a fullness of heart, utilizing eager eyes and active minds, we will encounter experiences that will add profundity to our testimonies.  These moments of illumination have to be perceived through humbleness.  As we approach each opportunity meekly, we arrive in a manner that is teachable.  We enter with the companionship of the Holy Ghost, who is the one which reveals truth and knowledge in unmistakable and individualized ways. 

When we are dealing with an area of knowledge where we find ourselves uncertain, we cannot give heed to worldly deceptions which seek to pervert the truth.  We must not allow temporal opinions, teachings, or perceptions to fill up our hearts, which provide no space for divine training.  This does not suggest blind obedience, but instead encourages steady examination in places where truth can actually be located.  We cannot seek for spiritual certainties by searching the earth and its mortal inhabitants, for it comes from above, not from within.  While we are occupied in scouring the world for our answers, we most commonly discover that we do not find certitudes, but instead obtain worldly alterations of truth.  These findings contradict divine knowledge, and can replace or wither strengthened areas of testimony.  We must look upward when seeking supernal understanding.

When we are concerned, confused, frustrated, or upset, we must seek for answers from portals which extend from the heavens.  Scriptures, words of the prophets, testimonies of others, good books, spiritual courses, and most importantly sincere communication and prayer with our Father.  These gifts can provide access to spiritual awakening.  We must follow after the teachers of truth, our Heavenly Father, and our Savior.  Indeed, we must inquire of the Lord.  For He is the only place where correct answers are delivered.  We must seek where truth can actually be found, not in places where it is simply a mirage.  We must be willing to learn step by step, being led and guided, being taught and directed, being tried and tested.  We must show faith in our Father, and in Christ, that they will deliver the enlightenment that we seek after.  We will find that these specific truths, the ones that take effort and patience to acquire, will be the intensely perfected ones which amplify our testimonies in an incredible manner.  Perhaps, they will become a portion of bedrock within our spiritual foundations.

There is a reason why prophets of old, prophets of new, and even our very Savior while providing words of comfort, encourage us to seek after heightened understanding.  Knowledge truly acts as a powerful weapon against the destroyer throughout our mission on this earth.  Enhanced understanding allows us to experience clear vision despite murkiness and perversion.  As our comprehensions are intensified, his modifications of truth become easily discerned.  We are not deceived by his crafty exaggerations, nor his cunning deceptions.  We provide safety for our souls as truth becomes rooted within them. 

Above all, increased knowledge provides us with clarity relating to the veracity of our Savior, to the actuality of His existence, to the sincerity of His promises, and to the truthfulness of all He suffered and sacrificed.  Our mortal assignments become evident, our purpose is manifest.  Our knowledge will stand as a source of peace, an origin of strength, and a beacon of hope.  We must crave to know more, for surely, it enables us to be more.