Only a Lovely Song

20 years ago, when I was an unruly teenager, my mother sat me down after church and asked me what I had learned the prior week in class. She was the teacher of my class at the time and had noticed that only a few in the class actually participated. I told her the things that I remembered and then she taught me something that I have tested in many venues for the last 20 years.

She said, “The reason you remember what was taught to you is because you participated in the instruction. If you had remained quiet, you likely wouldn’t be able to recall anything.” While a simple lesson at the time, over that last 2 decades I have come to realize how instrumental this principle has been to my growth in the gospel.

If I want to grow in the gospel, I cannot treat church like my television set waiting for it to teach or entertain me. I must actively participate if I am to see growth within myself.

1) I can listen passively to the lesson being taught and I may remember what was taught for that day. When the day has passed my chances of remembering are very limited as my week will be full of things to remember.

2) I can listen actively to the lesson and comment when impressions come and I may remember what was taught for a week or a month, furthermore, I will likely remember the principle I commented on much longer as it is locked into my mind.

3) I can listen actively and participate at church and when I return home visit with someone (family, friend, or others) about what impressed me and I will likely retain the principles taught for the rest of my life. I have then locked them into my mind and heart.

I now try to implement step three in my gospel learning. I don’t feel the need to comment in every class, but I understand the need to actively participate in the lesson and then later relate what I have learned to my kids, my wife and/or my neighbors. If I am to relate it later, then I must know what has been taught.

I am reminded of a verse from Ezekiel, where the Israelites have gathered to the prophets to learn, but then when they leave they are unchanged… the have gained nothing. The Lord says:

They [the people] come unto thee [the prophets]… and they sit before thee… and they hear thy words, but they will not do them… And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, for they hear thy words, but they do them not. (Excerpt from Ezekiel 33:30-32)

Many times we will listen to our prophets, our ward leaders or our teachers and think, “My what a good teacher they are!” or “That was a beautiful lesson!” but then walk away unchanged. We treat their words like they are a “Lovely Song” but depart with no additional light.

Light does not take hold in us just because we have heard it. We must COMPREHEND it! We must EMBRACE it, and we must LET IT GOVERN our thoughts and actions and only then will LIGHT find place within us.

May we all be more avid “Learners” within the gospel that light may forever find place within us.