In 1 Peter 2:2 we read that we are to "desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" and if we look at the foot notes we will see that the word sincere is listed as being from the Greek meaning pure or genuine. What does this truly mean to us- desire the "milk" of the word?? I hope to help you think of what it means to you as we look at this idea further.

Next we can look to the Doctrine and Covenants where the Lord has explained this concept a little better for us.

In D&C 50:40 we are told: "Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth." How do we grow in knowledge? Well, one way is to attend "school" if we are looking for secular knowledge. But is it secular knowledge that will truly lead us safely home? No! We need to grow in the gospel and true knowledge.

There are many ways we can do this and the basics start with scripture study with sincere prayer!!! Someone recently mentioned to me that reading scriptures without praying about them is kind of like reading a novel- won't really teach you much. I found a quote from President Spencer W. Kimball to the same effect:

"Spiritual learning takes precedence. The secular without the foundation of the spiritual is like the foam upon the milk, the fleeting shadow..One need not choose between the two for there is opportunity to get both simultaneously."
(The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1982, p.390)

And the quote is actually taken from a talk by Elder Richard G. Scott titled Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge in the November 1993 Ensign pg. 86. He goes on to say:

As you seek spiritual knowledge, search for principles. Carefully separate them from the detail used to explain them. Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances. A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and compelling circumstances. It is worth great effort to organize the truth we gather to simple statements of principle.

My prayer is that we can find the time we need to have to truly study and pray about our scripture reading this week and more fully incorporate it into our lives.

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