Why Become A Gospel Scholar

[Doctrine 612]

So in six weeks I will be giving a class on " why become a gospel scholar".

I am very happy to talk about this subject since the scriptures play an important part of my life.

In the class I would like to ask why some choose not to become a gospel scholar.

As well as ways we could.

What are some of your answers to these questions?

[wenglund]

I once aspired to be a gospel scholar, and I spent several years dedicated to that pursuit.

 

However, that pursuit ended after seeing a humble, elderly, relatively uneducated, dirt-farming couple delivering food to a single mother in my ward. It helped me realized that those two dear souls had more of a grasp of the gospel in their little fingers, so to speak, than I had throughout my entire body, and this because the gospel is less about book learning and more about living and loving and following Christ.

 

Now, I am able to draw closer to Christ and "know" him better through spending a couple of hours at the local food bank or helping a neighbor move than through pouring over peer-review articles and esoteric tomes. 

 

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[bluebell]

I know, speaking for myself, that sometimes i have enough trouble just reading my scriptures for 10 minutes a day and saying my prayers.  Trying to become a gospel scholar seems far-fetched given that.

 

Though there is always a part of my that wants to want to.

[The Nehor]

So in six weeks I will be giving a class on " why become a gospel scholar".

I am very happy to talk about this subject since the scriptures play an important part of my life.

In the class I would like to ask why some choose not to become a gospel scholar.

As well as ways we could.

What are some of your answers to these questions?

 

Some people have the spiritual gift of knowledge and some do not.

[teddyaware]

So in six weeks I will be giving a class on " why become a gospel scholar".

I am very happy to talk about this subject since the scriptures play an important part of my life.

In the class I would like to ask why some choose not to become a gospel scholar.

As well as ways we could.

What are some of your answers to these questions?

There is great merit and virtue in the desire to become a gospel scholar. In fact, I believe each and every member of the Church should cultivate a sincere desire to become a gospel scholar and then work hard by study and faith to help make that desire become a reality. There isn't a single member of the Church, no matter what their individual capacities might be, who can't continually learn more than they already know about the gospel if they will only apply themselves in faith and diligence.  

Forthrightly speaking, I have a good grasp of the scriptures, and as a consequence for many years I've been the "go to guy" in my area for people who are troubled by difficult to answer gospel questions. And I can say there have been many who's faith and testimonies have been strengthened because I've consistently been able to answer their questions in a manner that is both persuasive and easy to understand. Because I've spent, and continue to spend, the time and effort necessary in order to become a proficient expositor of the doctrines of the restored kingdom, I learned how to make what seems to be complex and befuddling simple, reasonable and logical. The following words of the Saviour from Doctrine and Covenants 76 is a mission statement for every man, woman and child in the Church who hope to obtain a profound knowledge of the things of God:

5 For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.

6 Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.

7 And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.

8 Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations.

9 And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught.

10 For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man. (D&C 76)

Edited August 12, 2014 by teddyaware

[Stargazer]

Well, for starters, what is the definition of a "gospel scholar"? 

 

Are there standards for qualification as a "gospel scholar"?

[JLHPROF]

Well, for starters, what is the definition of a "gospel scholar"? 

 

Are there standards for qualification as a "gospel scholar"?

 

Exactly what I was thinking.  I've read pretty much every classic doctrinally or theologically LDS read out there, but I know next to nothing about topics like philosophy, ancient languages and cultures, comparative religion,  etc. 

 

It seems to be the case that "gospel scholarship" has a really wide range of topics.  So what makes a gospel scholar.

[Doctrine 612]

To me a gospel scholar follows this pattern, pray, study, apply, and teach.

Your wrong if you think a scholar just learns, he must also act upon his knowledge.

Weglund is a scholar, he studied the word found that we should have charity, and now acts upon that by spending time at the food bank.

That is what a true scholar is.

A gospel scholar means a student of the word of god.

Also to break it down a bit the gospel student ranks go gospel scholar then gospel master. Lol

Edited August 12, 2014 by Doctrine 612

[erdoch]

"Gospel scholarship" - at minimum (and this seems to be the most common definition in the church) means studying the scriptures. Includes prayer, cross-referencing, meditation, reading carefully, etc. 

 

But I think an extra important level of "Gospel scholarship" is to make use of the "best books" that intersect with Gospel topics - Biblical studies, religious studies, church history, history, politics, archaeology, philosophy, biology, etc. I think the application of outside knowledge to the study of scripture or the study of scripture to outside knowledge is key to mature Gospel scholarship. If all we do is read the scriptures, paradoxically I think our appreciation of the scriptures will remain limited.

 

Finally, I think that spiritual seeking, prayer and being in tune to the voice of the Spirit is vital. We must learn by study as well as by faith.

[cdowis]

The answer is found in experience.

 

Make a lifetime of reading the scriputures -- read the Book of Mormon 30-40 times,  and you will begin to find the answer.  I suggest that you avoid the commentaries except the historical context of the OT and the D&C.  

 

You just need to work it out for yourself.  Jump into the isaiah in the BOM and sweat it out, can you give an analysis of Jacob 5, what's going on  in 2 Ne 9.  Can you understand the point of the war chapters in Alma.  What did the Nephites specifically do that lead to their complete destruction?  Don't settle for a general answer -- they were really really bad.  The Lord tells us the specific reason.

 

The scriptures have become my hobby.  I enjoy cute questions, "How long after the destruction did Christ come to America"  Which prophet in the BOM was a polygamist (hint: the answer is not on the small plates)

 

Get answers to questions that nobody asks.  Don't be impressed by religion professors, but listen very carefully to the General Authorities when they talk about the scriptures. They just blow me away with their insights -- they really really know the scriptures and that can only come from personal study..

Edited August 12, 2014 by cdowis

[Doctrine 612]

The answer is found in experience.

 

Make a lifetime of reading the scriputures -- read the Book of Mormon 30-40 times,  and you will begin to find the answer.  I suggest that you avoid the commentaries except the historical context of the OT and the D&C.  

 

You just need to work it out for yourself.  Jump into the isaiah in the BOM and sweat it out, can you give an analysis of Jacob 5, what's going on  in 2 Ne 9.  Can you understand the point of the war chapters in Alma.  What did the Nephites specifically do that lead to their complete destruction?  Don't settle for a general answer -- they were really really bad.  The Lord tells us the specific reason.

 

The scriptures have become my hobby.  I enjoy cute questions, "How long after the destruction did Christ come to America"  Which prophet in the BOM was a polygamist (hint: the answer is not on the small plates)

 

Get answers to questions that nobody asks.  Don't be impressed by religion professors, but listen very carefully to the General Authorities when they talk about the scriptures. They just blow me away with their insights -- they really really know the scriptures and that can only come from personal study..

Almost a year, amulek.

A fav quote from mcconkie is don't drink below the horses, meaning find what you think the scriptures mean, but it is good to read commentarys as well but becarefull, they may be wrong.

[Stargazer]

To me a gospel scholar follows this pattern, pray, study, apply, and teach.

Your wrong if you think a scholar just learns, he must also act upon his knowledge.

Weglund is a scholar, he studied the word found that we should have charity, and now acts upon that by spending time at the food bank.

That is what a true scholar is.

A gospel scholar means a student of the word of god.

Also to break it down a bit the gospel student ranks go gospel scholar then gospel master. Lol

 

Agree wholeheartedly!

[Carebear0411]

I have encouraged my kids from the time they were old enough to read to be scripture scholars. There are several reasons why:

1 - We are told when the righteous see Christ, we will know Him as we are known. The scriptures offer us first hand and intimate opportunity to "know Him". Only through the scriptures can we become acquainted with His voice, and only when we know His voice will we be able to recognize it when He speaks to us.

2 - Study of scripture offers us access to pure intelligence. Pure intelligence occurs when we learn through the Spirit and there is no better means to call upon the Spirit (whose job it is to witness to truth) than to read eternal truths.

3 - There may be a time in our lifespan when scriptures will be verboten. Knowing them, memorizing them and embedding them in our hearts (which is what I think being a true scripture scholar is) ensures that nobody will ever take our scriptures away from us.

4 - Whether as the pre-meridian Jehovah, the fulfillment of all prophecy Savior, as the resurrected first fruit of God's plan of salvation, or as the future triumphant judge of the world - getting to know Him is to love Him, which is worthwhile in and of itself.

[rameumptom]

John Welch actually wrote a very good article on this back in 1998, "Toward Becoming a Gospel Scholar". You can read it here: http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Toward-Becoming-a-Gospel-Scholar.html

[rameumptom]

The answer is found in experience.

 

Make a lifetime of reading the scriputures -- read the Book of Mormon 30-40 times,  and you will begin to find the answer.  I suggest that you avoid the commentaries except the historical context of the OT and the D&C.  

\

 

I've read it around 70 times and am still not quite where I'm beginning to find the answer(s).  But I think I am closer than I was before.  I find that the more I study, the more questions I have that are deeper and more profound than the last batch of answers I got.

[Rain]

In the class I would like to ask why some choose not to become a gospel scholar.

As well as ways we could.

What are some of your answers to these questions?

Answers, not necessarily mine: it takes too long in life to get there. It takes too much of the day. Scholars get big heads and hold themselves up above others. You have to look at a lot of books besides the scriptures. I can't keep all that info in my head. I was never good at book learning. It's more important to live the gospel than spending all that time in books. My strength is feelings I get, not thinking. My mission in life is to do ______________ rather than scholarly stuff. Scholars have too much contention in their lives - arguing over things that don't matter.

[ERayR]

To me it has been much more valuable to develop my ability to seek, receive and interpret my ability to receive spiritual inspiration and guidance.  However, that said it certainly helps to study and have a constant prayer going through ones mind.

[Guest]

So in six weeks I will be giving a class on " why become a gospel scholar".

I am very happy to talk about this subject since the scriptures play an important part of my life.

In the class I would like to ask why some choose not to become a gospel scholar.

As well as ways we could.

What are some of your answers to these questions?

What separates this faith from so many others is our Priesthood and that in many (most) faiths, persons seek to become scholars in order to get Pastor's positions. Also since the scriptures are Spiritually discerned, one does not need advanced education to understand the Scriptures. For most they would be better served getting and education in secular areas and make the scriptures a lifelong goal, and humility and service their short term goal with the aim to never lose it.

[stemelbow]

I once aspired to be a gospel scholar, and I spent several years dedicated to that pursuit.

 

However, that pursuit ended after seeing a humble, elderly, relatively uneducated, dirt-farming couple delivering food to a single mother in my ward. It helped me realized that those two dear souls had more of a grasp of the gospel in their little fingers, so to speak, than I had throughout my entire body, and this because the gospel is less about book learning and more about living and loving and following Christ.

 

Now, I am able to draw closer to Christ and "know" him better through spending a couple of hours at the local food bank or helping a neighbor move than through pouring over peer-review articles and esoteric tomes. 

 

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

And to think the great bulk of dedicated giving is coming from those who aren't believers in the gospel at all. So one must ask, of what benefit is the gospel? Love, charity and giving are all part of everyone's life (well except for a relatively few, I suppose).

[ERayR]

And to think the great bulk of dedicated giving is coming from those who aren't believers in the gospel at all. So one must ask, of what benefit is the gospel? Love, charity and giving are all part of everyone's life (well except for a relatively few, I suppose).

 

No surprise the great bulk of the people are not believers.

[stemelbow]

No surprise the great bulk of the people are not believers.

And that great bulk has some excellent standouts that put to shame most LDS, at the very least. Thus, living the gospel is perhaps something different than taking food to neighbors who probably aren't really in need in the first place (skipping a meal isn't going to kill us but we make dinners for each other as if skipping a meal or eating something quick and flimsy is the worst thing a sad person can do), no?

[cinepro]

So in six weeks I will be giving a class on " why become a gospel scholar".

I am very happy to talk about this subject since the scriptures play an important part of my life.

In the class I would like to ask why some choose not to become a gospel scholar.

As well as ways we could.

What are some of your answers to these questions?

 

 

Honestly, if I were in that class, I would point out that there is a wide degree of variation among Church leaders when it comes to "Gospel Scholarship".  Some leaders know tons about every little thing in the scriptures, and some focus more on principles and other areas of the gospel without getting into the details.  Granted, the latter are probably more responsible for passing along myths and misinterpretations, but the former are more than responsible for many such things themselves.

 

Certainly, knowing lots of stuff about the scriptures and the gospel can be helpful and interesting, but I don't know that it's a benefit to everyone.  I'd rather sit in a congregation filled with people who are kind, humble and generous but the only thing they know about the scriptures is what they remember from watching "Living Scripture" cartoons, as opposed to people who are knowledgeable about the scriptures and history of the church but aren't kind, humble and generous. 

 

Not that the two are mutually exclusive, of course.  I'm just pointing out that we need to be careful what we focus on.

[ERayR]

And that great bulk has some excellent standouts that put to shame most LDS, at the very least. Thus, living the gospel is perhaps something different than taking food to neighbors who probably aren't really in need in the first place (skipping a meal isn't going to kill us but we make dinners for each other as if skipping a meal or eating something quick and flimsy is the worst thing a sad person can do), no?

 

On an individual basis LDS people are not easily put to shame.  On an organizational basis the LDS church needs not back away from anyone.  Their charitable giving on a per capita basis is equal to or exceeds anybodies.

 

A lot of very need people are helped by those skipped meals that you so cavalierly deride.  Taking meals to someone is not the point but taking time to do something to let somebody know you care is.

[Calm]

Unless you have often been in the situation where meals are difficult to prepare, I don't think you can really appreciate how this small gift can make or break a day, especially if one has children.

[CV75]

So in six weeks I will be giving a class on " why become a gospel scholar".

I am very happy to talk about this subject since the scriptures play an important part of my life.

In the class I would like to ask why some choose not to become a gospel scholar.

As well as ways we could.

What are some of your answers to these questions?

Using your definition from post #8, I would answer:

 

I think some choose not to become gospel scholars because of the dynamics described in the parable of the sower.

 

We can become gospel scholars by developing good soil along the lines described in Alma 32, starting with a desire to believe and then a desire to know in good faith.