Enlightened

God can not only reveal information to us; He can also help us improve our ability to acquire knowledge and to use it wisely.

The prophet Mormon indicated that we already have these abilities: “The Spirit of Christ is given to every man [and woman], that he [or she] may know good from evil” (Moroni 7:16). Mormon urged us to use these abilities as we evaluate information and gain new knowledge:

• “Seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully” (Moroni 7:18).
• “Search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil” (Moroni 7:19).

In 1832, the Lord reiterated these principles:

The Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:46

After Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist, Joseph reported that they were able to understand the scriptures better:

Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understandings, and the true meaning and intention of their more mysterious passages revealed unto us in a manner which we never could attain to previously, nor ever before had thought of.

Joseph Smith —History 1:74

John the Baptist had not only given them information. He had also empowered them to acquire information on their own.

Today, I will seek for enlightenment. I will seek not only to learn new facts, but also to become more perceptive and discerning, with the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord.