So, today in Seminary, we read this scripture in JSH 1:20 and it really stuck out to me. It says, “I have learned for myself.” This is such an important part of the first vision! Joseph didn’t just go with what everyone else was believing. He went into the woods because he was confused and prayed to Hevenly Faher to know which church was true. He went and acted. He found out for himself what he wanted to do and what the right thing was.
Later on in the lesson, my seminary teacher was saying an analogy about an orange. He said that an orange is like the scriptures. The peel is the words, sayings, and stories. Then, when you peel the orange, you find a sweet fruit. Or, when you analyze, study, and ponder the scriptures, you find the principles and the lessons within the stories. After you peel the orange, you have to separate the slices before you can fully enjoy the delicious fruit. So, after you know the principles taught in the scriptures, you have to connect and apply it to your life before you can truly savor every word of the scriptures.
I added to the analogy and said that if you share the orange, others can enjoy it too just like if you share your knowledge with others. My seminary teacher responded and said that you can share your testimony and teach them, but if they don’t go through the work of “peeling the orange” and applying it to their own lives, they can’t relish in the gospel as much as you did. This reminded me again of how Joseph Smith said, “I have learned for myself.” Because, if we piggy back off of our parents testimony or just go through the motions, we will never be able to eat the orange and have a 100% testimony of the true church of Christ.
Wow, that was so good. I love the quote you made and the words of testimony you shared. The orange does taste amazing. 😀
Wow! This is really insightful! I have read and re-read this story so many times and never focused on this simple phrase. It is really incredible once you really think about it. 🙂