Seek Learning, Even by Study and Also by Faith”
In a sense, this lesson provides a foundation of all others. How do we understand ourselves, each other, and the world around us? How do we learn? What is the role of “study” and what is the role of “faith”? What are the strengths and limitations of each approach? This lesson will explore two primary questions:
- In what ways do we learn and understand the world?
- How do we approach documents of faith? What expectations should we have?
- How do we balance study “by learning and also by faith”?
- We will also touch on the relationship between the Church and education in history and the present
Recurring Donation:
One Time Donation:
Student Reading: D&C 88:122–25; D&C 88:118; 2 Timothy 3:7; 2 Nephi 9:28–29; D&C 88:76–80; D&C 6:7; D&C 19:23; D&C 90:15; D&C 93:36–37; D&C 93:53; D&C 131:6; D&C 136:32–33
Additional Teacher Reading: Matthew 11:29; D&C 11:21–22; D&C 130:18–19; D&C 68:25–28; D&C 88:119; D&C 88:121–26; D&C 78:17–18; Matthew 25:14–30; D&C 82:18
Prepare yourselves for a treasure of a conversation with David Bokovoy and Fiona Givens.
Continue the conversation by posting your comments and questions here, in the facebook group, or email me at MormonSundaySchool at gmail.
You can access my Lesson Notes here (or PDF).
You can access my Reading Notes here.
Resources:
Kevin Barney’s post on this lesson for By Common Consent
The Church and Education
- Encyclopedia of Mormonism entry on Education
- EOM entry on Intellectual History
- Philip Barlow, Mormons and the Bible
- Hugh Nibley, Educating the Saints
- Hugh Nibley, Zeal without Knowledge
- Leonard Arrington, Intellectual Tradition of the Latter-day Saints
- Davis Bitton, Mormon Anti-Intellectualism and his recent reply to his younger self!
How do we experience the world?
- Dan Ariely, Predictably Irrational and the Upside of Irrationality about how our minds get the best of us
- TED talk on how our body language and attitude shapes who we are and how people respond to us (quite applicable to the principle of faith)
How do we learn?
- TED talk on how babies and children learn
- TED talk about how books give us new ways to understand the world
- TED talk on how to spark learning
By study and also by faith
- Mormon Scholars Testify
- Henry Eyring (Sr), Reflections of a Scientist
- The God Who Weeps. I have recommended this before, but it is an excellent example of combining learning and faith.
- Two posts by guest David Bokovoy: In defense of Biblical scholarship and on engaging with a Mormonism that can handle questions.
Many thanks to Devin Roth for the beautiful bumper music. Check out his arrangement of hymns and other work at DevinRothMusic!
Thanks to James Estrada of Oak Street Audio for his timely and high quality post-production, and to Trent Oliphant for updating the episode.
Engaging Gospel Doctrine 
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