Stealing from a Sunday School lesson I had today.
One of the points in the lesson was to "Rely on the Spirit rather than the wisdom of the world".
The teacher was talking about balancing secular and spiritual learning, and how secular learning can be either a blessing or a stumbling block for us. We should not think that because we know so much when it comes to secular knowledge that we don't need Heavenly Father in our lives anymore. Some may think that because they know so much, there is no place for God in their lives because they have everything figured out; for "when they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not... But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God" (2 Nephi 9:28-29). We should allow for great knowledge as well as the influence of God in our lives. We can apply principles from secular knowledge to religious knowledge, and vice versa. An example that he provided really shed light on the matter, and I loved the analogy.
The teacher explained how in high school calculus he would occasionally not understand problems on his homework and concepts he was learning in class. He attributed this confusion to not completely understanding a previous concept or principle that the teacher taught.
He likened that to us as members of the church learning the things of the gospel.
We wouldn't come to the conclusion in calculus that since we don't understand something or it doesn't make sense in our minds that calculus and every concept and lesson therein has to be false. We would go to the teacher with a desire to learn more so that we can understand that which is confusing to us.
So it should be in the gospel. If there is something you are struggling with, or don't quite understand, don't give up just yet. Study it out in your mind. Ask questions. Pray about it. Read the scriptures. Visit mormon.org. The Lord wants you to gain answers. He wants you to have faith. Those members of the church in your ward are there for support, to help you along in your journey here on earth.
And you should do likewise. If someone you know is struggling with questions they may have about the gospel, be a friend. Be their support. Because the time will come when you need someone to lean on, too. With every little bit of knowledge learned, principles of the gospel start to make more sense.
And when you diligently study and do your homework on a regular basis, calculus won't be that hard either.
