Study, Experience, Revelation

This week we are preparing to take our anatomy exam, which means a lot of cramming, late nights and study groups, often with people we barely know. During this intense preparation, I think it is a good time to reflect back on the the method of study we often seen in church.

The picture above is a of a part of the Education in Zion exhibit. Particularly, this exhibit examines the education of Jospeh Smith. It is commonly known that Jospeh Smith didn't have much formal education. Which causes us to ask the question: how did he learn what he knew and taught? This exhibit highlights three of the principles of Joseph Smith's educational process. I would like to take the opportunity to briefly connect those to our study of anatomy.

First, the Prophet Joseph studied. He read the scriptures, he read the writings of others who were well versed in scripture and he did what he could to learn the principles he was reading about. This is comparable to our study that we do every day. We go to lecture, we read material in our books and online, and we review the principles with study groups and teaching assistants. This is where the majority of our knowledge comes from. However, it is only a part of how we retain and learn the material.

The second part of learning for Joseph Smith was experience. When he had a question for the Lord and he read James 1:5, he experimented with and applied the Word. In response, he received an answer and experienced the Lords willingness to answer prayers. As anatomy students, we can have experience with what we are learning. Our lab allows to go in and see the structures we are learning about. We may have experience with people who have the diseases we discuss or we may have previous experience with some part of the process we are studying. This cements the knowledge we have studied through experience.

The last part of education is revelation. This can often be the most important. Jospeh Smith studied often, but he couldn't always find the answers he was looking for just by reading the scriptures. He needed to receive revelation and inspiration to understand clearly the concepts he was studying. We, too, rely on revelation. There are often concepts we don't understand or we need help finding the answer to a certain question we have. Revelation and inspiration can help us learn and understand. It can also come in critical moments during a test, if he have prepared appropriately.

In a lot of ways, our education in terms of religion is very similar to our secular education. I believe if we see it that way, we can better our understanding of the material we are learning.