Knowing What You Believe, Believing What You Know | Dennis B. Neuenschwander | May 1998
May 15, 2024
auto_awesome
Dennis B. Neuenschwander, an expert in Church doctrine, discusses the importance of knowing what you believe and believing what you know. The podcast explores the significance of personal spiritual experiences, learning through good and evil experiences, misunderstood miracles, Joseph Smith's steadfastness in vision, and the role of spiritual experiences in the gospel framework.
Studying Church doctrine is essential to know what you believe, while trusting personal spiritual experiences is crucial for believing what you know.
Sharing personal spiritual experiences selectively preserves their sacredness and ensures they are valued by others who understand their importance.
Deep dives
Understanding What You Believe
Knowing what you believe involves being familiar with church doctrines, history, and prophets' teachings. Believing what you know means trusting and learning from personal spiritual experiences, crucial for spiritual growth and education. Distinguishing good from evil is essential, following guidance to avoid confusion. Learning to differentiate without indulging in every evil experience emphasizes the importance of spiritual education.
Sharing Personal Spiritual Experiences
Sharing personal spiritual experiences should be done cautiously as not everyone may understand or appreciate them. It is important to share selectively with those who value and respect such experiences, preserving the sacredness of personal spiritual encounters. Reactions to deeply personal spiritual experiences can vary, with some individuals unable to comprehend or accept them.
Recognizing the Significance of Spiritual Experiences
Reflecting on spiritual experiences is crucial to realizing their impact and meaning. Just as the disciples on the road to Emmaus recognized the significance of their encounter with the Savior after it occurred, introspection and guidance from others help in understanding spiritual experiences. Trusting spiritual experiences prevents deception and affirms testimonies during times of doubt or uncertainty, strengthening faith and spiritual resolve.
You should study Church doctrine to know what you believe, but equally important is believing what you know, which requires trusting spiritual experiences. Click here to view the speech page.