In Doctrine and Covenants 109:7 it reads:
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 109:7)
This is a reminder about the responsibilities of discipleship. When we recognize our place as a follower of Christ and commit ourselves to serving Him in every facet of our lives, we also covenant to do the things He did to the best of our personal ability. One of the things Christ spent a great deal of time doing was teaching and learning.
Even though it may appear there were times in the scriptures when Christ abruptly told someone, “come, follow me ”, it is far more likely that there was more to the story than is recorded. Christ never asked His disciples to follow Him blindly. He prepared and taught them on whatever level of understanding they were at. He expected His followers to know exactly why they were following Him. The gospel of Jesus Christ is just as much a gospel of study and understanding as it is of faith.
Jesus Christ recognizes that not all of us will learn, hear, or understand the gospel in the same way. That is part of the reason He asks us to accept responsibility for teaching and uplifting each other: He wants no one, who would follow Him to be left behind on the path. To some, faith is a very natural part of their being; to others, they are more comfortable with study, knowledge and reasoning. Neither one is bad, or superior. We are instructed to be engaged in both activities.
We must learn and study the words of Jesus Christ as they are found in the scriptures. We look for other works of literature that carry the Spirit, rather than drive away its presence. We need to find a place for all these things in our lives and implement their teachings. When we take that step from learning to implementing we are exercising the measure of faith that is in us.
For every aspect of the gospel, there is reason and order. We have not been asked to do anything in the name of Jesus Christ that can’t be tried and trusted through study and preparation. True, God’s reasons for His instructions may not always be perfectly clear from the beginning, but their will always be a ring of truth to them that we can recognize if we are immersed in His words and ways.
There is another similar passage to be found in the Doctrine and Covenants.
But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. (D&C 9:-8)
This is the pattern of Jesus Christ. For every commandment, for every request from one of His servants, we are entitled to the knowledge that it is right and good, both through study and through faith.
This is why Christ made a point of asking the disciples, “Whom say ye that I am.” We are to understand, accept, and rejoice in Him fully. We are striving to stand as His witness with all our heart, might, mind and strength. Every part of who we are can love and testify of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Seek for that in your own life. Christ does not ask for blind faith, He asks for the best that is in us, all the best. Then, in the process of coming to know Christ we find we’re better than we ever thought we could be.
