Do you struggle to know if something is true? When I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I needed to know if the doctrine I was being taught was true. We are taught in the Book of Mormon in Moroni 10:5, "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Jesus Christ invites each of us to be taught of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and come to know Him by applying His teachings to our life. This week I learned more about the Savior and His invitation to "do his will" to know of His truth.
Choice 5: John 7:10–17.
How to Know the Truth of the Savior’s Doctrine
1. Review John
7:10–17. Then answer the following questions in writing:
What were the different reactions of the
people about the Savior?
· “some said, He is a good man;”
(vs 12)
· others said, “he deceiveth the
people” (vs 12)
· many would not say anything about
Him because the feared the Jews (vs 13)
How do
these reactions compare to the way people think of Jesus Christ today?
I think the
reaction of the people of not changed too much. Many accept Jesus as the
Christ, the Promised Messiah while others think He was a prophet and a good
person but not the Promised Messiah, not the Savior. There are many who do not
know Him and saying nothing because they have not been taught of who He is and
others don’t seem to get involved who say nothing.
What questions did the Jews ask about the
Lord?
The Jews
“marveled” and said, “How knoweth this man letters having never learned?” To
them He was a carpenter’s son how would He know of such doctrine? They
questioned his credentials to preach and call himself a Savior.
How do the following verses help explain the
difference between where the Jews’ wisdom came from and where Jesus’ wisdom
came from: Jacob 4:14; Colossians 2:8; Doctrine and Covenants 93:11–17?
In Jacob
4:14, the Jews “despised the words of plainness… and sought for things they
could not understand. They looked beyond the mark.
Colossians
2:8 – Admonishes us not to be deceived from receiving blessings. Be humble to
learn and do not allow others to influence us by being “puffed up” with their
own wisdom follow God in faith.
Doctrine
& Covenants 93:11-17 says that Jesus “..received not of the fullness at
first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness.”
To
summarize, it seems the Jews at the time of Christ, relied upon their own
wisdom and did not see the Savior for who He was because of the blindness and
pride of their mind. The Savior grew “grace to grace” He was taught by His
Heavenly Father and through the Holy Ghost. He had a clear understanding of who
He was and His mission.
What did the Savior instruct the people to do
to gain a personal knowledge of the truthfulness of His teachings?
The Lord,
Jesus Christ, invited them “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the
doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” John 7:17
He invites
all to gain a personal testimony by choosing to “do” and follow God teachings.
This is how to know if the gospel of Jesus Christ is true.
1.
Read the institute student manual
commentary for John 7:16–17, “What Test Did Jesus Prescribe to Know the
Truthfulness of His Doctrine?” (pg. 108). Write a paragraph about a time in
your life when you came to know the truth of a gospel principle by living it.
Jesus taught the people to apply
what He was teaching them and they would know of its truth.
“As Jesus taught in the
temple during the Feast of Tabernacles, some Jews marveled that He could teach
as He did without having studied their theology. Jesus taught these people that
His doctrine came from His Father and that those who applied the doctrine would
know of its truth (see John 7:14–17). Of this teaching, President
James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the First Presidency said: “We
acquire a testimony of the principles of the gospel by obediently trying to
live them. Said the Savior, ‘If any man will do his will, he shall know of the
doctrine’ [John 7:17]. A testimony of the efficacy of prayer comes through
humble and sincere prayer. A testimony of tithing comes by paying tithing. … I
testify that if you continue in the purposeful process of searching for and
accepting spiritual light, truth, and knowledge, it will surely come. By going
forward in faith, you will find that your faith will increase” (“Lord, I
Believe; Help Thou Mine Unbelief,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov.
2003, 22).” New Testament Institute Manual John 7
I remember a time in my life when I wanted
to get closer to the Savior and come to know Him better in my life. I prayed
and asked to have a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus
Christ as my Savior. I read the scriptures and served. I served my family, in
my calling and really sought to know who needed to be encouraged. I prayed to
know who needed to be uplifted and followed the promptings. I brought treats to
people who I felt needed to be remembered. I made phone calls and visits.
During this time I felt so uplifted. I also felt a deep love for those
whom I was serving. I hoped they would feel the Savior’s love for them
through a small act of kindness. My testimony of the Savior grew because I could see He loved us
all. He was aware of our struggles and wanted me to help others. I came to know
my Savior by serving, as He would have me do.
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