“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)
“For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.” (2 Nephi 28:30)
In these two verses, we see the principle of seeking, asking, and receiving divine guidance and understanding. In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus encourages us to be persistent in our efforts to seek God, asking for what we need, and actively engaging in a relationship with Him. The promise is that when we earnestly seek, ask, and knock will receive, find, and have doors opened to us.
Similarly, the passage from 2 Nephi 28:30 teaches us the same principle. The Lord promises to give knowledge and wisdom to those who hearken to His precepts and counsel. The idea of receiving “line upon line, precept upon precept” tells us that there is a gradual process of learning and understanding, indicating the importance of patience and continual effort in seeking God’s guidance.
In both scriptures, there is an implicit call for humility and receptivity. If we are willing to receive and acknowledge our need for divine guidance, we are promised an increase in wisdom and understanding. Jesus emphasised the importance of having a humble and teachable heart.
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we strive to apply these principles in our lives, recognising the ongoing process of learning and growing in our relationship with Heavenly Father. Through prayer, study of the scriptures, and obedience to God’s Commandments, we seek to draw closer to Him, trusting in His promises of guidance and enlightenment.
