"I now give unto you a commandment . . . to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.

"For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God."For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

"And 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.

"And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto . . . the Father." (D&C 84:43-47.)

At the October 1993 general conference, Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve said that the role of obedience in gaining spiritual knowledge is crucial. He quoted a comment made at the October 1958 general conference by President Joseph Fielding Smith:

" `Now the Lord would give us gifts. He will quicken our minds. He will give us . . . a knowledge that will be so deeply rooted in our souls that [it] can never be rooted out, if we will just seek for the light . . . and the understanding which is promised to us, and which we can receive if we will only be true and faithful to every covenant and obligation pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ.' "

Elder Scott said: "To keep the commandments, you must know them. The best single source for learning them is the scriptures. President Joseph Fielding Smith gave this admonition:

" `Today we are troubled by evil-designing persons who [endeavor] to destroy the testimonies of members of the Church, and many . . . are in danger because of lack of understanding and because they have not sought the guidance of the Spirit. . . . It is a commandment from the Lord that members . . . be diligent . . . and study . . . the fundamental truths of the gospel. . . . Every baptized person [can] have an abiding testimony . . . , but [it] will grow dim and eventually disappear [without] study, obedience, and diligent seeking to know and understand the truth.' "

Elder Scott said that profound spiritual truth cannot simply be poured from one mind and heart to another. "It takes faith and diligent effort," he declared. "Precious truth comes a small piece at a time through faith, with great exertion, and at times wrenching struggles. The Lord intends it be that way so that we can mature and progress. Moroni said, `Dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.' " (Ether 12:6.). To explain that truth, President Harold B. Lee gave this wise instruction:

" `The Savior's blood, His atonement, will save us, but only after we have done all we can to save ourselves by keeping His commandments. All of the principles of the gospel are principles of promise by which the plans of the Almighty are unfolded to us.' " (Stand Ye in Holy Places [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], p. 246.)