9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them.
10 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.
(3 Nephi 26:9-10)
God loves all of us with a perfect love. We don’t have to earn that love. He wants what is best for us, and He cares about our happiness, well-being, and growth. He continues to care about us even when we disappoint Him or fail to live up to His expectations.
He is also willing to trust us. He gives us difficult assignments, He places us in situations where we have to make choices that can have far-reaching consequences. And He reveals knowledge to us “as fast as [we are] able to bear [it]” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, Chapter 22: “Gaining Knowledge of Eternal Truths“). However, as Mormon reminds us in the passage above, there is a limit to the knowledge that God will give us at any given point in time. Sometimes, the way we treat the knowledge we have already received determines how quickly we can receive more knowledge. Treat lightly the things we have been taught, and our minds will be darkened (D&C 84:54). On the other hand, receive knowledge willingly and apply it faithfully, and our minds will grow “brighter and brighter until the perfect day” (D&C 50:24).
Today I will strive to earn God’s trust by taking seriously the knowledge I have already gained. I will remember that additional learning may be contingent on my appreciating, believing, and acting upon the principles I already understand.