1 Corinthians 2 Discerning Truth by The Power of the Spirit
"Only by the aid of the Holy Ghost and by obedience to the principles of the gospel will a man eventually attain to the knowledge of all truth." J. Fielding Smith Doctrines of Salvation 1:298
Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy taught:
“In the scientific world the scientific method is used to learn truth and advance knowledge. It has been extremely helpful over the years and has yielded tremendous amounts of scientific knowledge and continues to push back the curtain of ignorance about our physical world. Learning spiritual things, however, requires a different approach than learning scientific things. The scientific method and intellect are very helpful, but they alone will never bring spiritual knowledge.
“Learning spiritual things involves the intellect, but that is not enough. We only learn spiritual things by the Spirit. …
“… Answers to spiritual questions are given to individuals who don’t harden their hearts who ask in faith, believing they will receive and who diligently keep the commandments. Even when we follow this pattern, we don’t control the timing of getting answers. Sometimes our answers come quickly, and sometimes we must place questions on the shelf for a time and rely on our faith that has developed from the answers we do know” (“A Pattern for Learning Spiritual Things” Seminaries and Institutes of Religion satellite broadcast, Aug. 7, 2012, si.lds.org).
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
“The Lord’s prescribed methods of acquiring sacred knowledge are very different from the methods used by those who acquire learning exclusively by study. For example, a frequent technique of scholarship is debate or adversarial discussion, a method with which I have had considerable personal experience. But the Lord has instructed us in ancient and modern scriptures that we should not contend over the points of his doctrine. (See 3 Ne. 11:28-30 D&C 10:63.) … Gospel truths and testimony are received from the Holy Ghost through reverent personal study and quiet contemplation” (“Alternate Voices,” Ensign, May 1989, 29).
Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy taught:
“In the scientific world the scientific method is used to learn truth and advance knowledge. It has been extremely helpful over the years and has yielded tremendous amounts of scientific knowledge and continues to push back the curtain of ignorance about our physical world. Learning spiritual things, however, requires a different approach than learning scientific things. The scientific method and intellect are very helpful, but they alone will never bring spiritual knowledge.
“Learning spiritual things involves the intellect, but that is not enough. We only learn spiritual things by the Spirit. …
“… Answers to spiritual questions are given to individuals who don’t harden their hearts who ask in faith, believing they will receive and who diligently keep the commandments. Even when we follow this pattern, we don’t control the timing of getting answers. Sometimes our answers come quickly, and sometimes we must place questions on the shelf for a time and rely on our faith that has developed from the answers we do know” (“A Pattern for Learning Spiritual Things” Seminaries and Institutes of Religion satellite broadcast, Aug. 7, 2012, si.lds.org).
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
“The Lord’s prescribed methods of acquiring sacred knowledge are very different from the methods used by those who acquire learning exclusively by study. For example, a frequent technique of scholarship is debate or adversarial discussion, a method with which I have had considerable personal experience. But the Lord has instructed us in ancient and modern scriptures that we should not contend over the points of his doctrine. (See 3 Ne. 11:28-30 D&C 10:63.) … Gospel truths and testimony are received from the Holy Ghost through reverent personal study and quiet contemplation” (“Alternate Voices,” Ensign, May 1989, 29).