Disciples of Jesus Seek Gift of Understanding, Says Ensign College President Kusch

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By Joel Randall, Church News

Proverbs 4:7 invites readers to “get understanding,” but “understanding” is more than just comprehending something, said President Bruce C. Kusch, president of Ensign College. It’s a spiritual gift that one feels deep within oneself through the Holy Ghost.

“Someone bearing a testimony may express what they know. But “ He was joined by his wife, Sister Alynda Kusch, who talked about living with a full measure of faith.

President Kusch encouraged listeners to gain a deep understanding of what Heavenly Father wants them to know and learn. This deeper understanding, he said, is a spiritual gift essential for happiness and growth.

“It is my prayer you will seek this gift. It is what capable and trusted disciples of Jesus Christ do.”

Why Is the Gift of Understanding Important?

Those who recognize their divine responsibility to seek understanding through spiritual guidance, President Kusch said, receive an understanding heart.

But more importantly, “we will be motivated to do what is right, to obey God’s commandments. And when we have obtained understanding, we will not only ‘know’ what is right, but we will also want to ‘do’ what is right, regardless of the circumstances or the consequences.”

The gift of understanding helps God’s children know and feel the “why” of His desires for them, said President Kusch. It shows them the “why” of what He asks of them.

“It gives us a glimpse of who we are, of how the Savior’s Atonement can work in our lives, of how we can truly come unto Christ, with our ‘whole souls as an offering’ (Omni 1:26).”

How to Seek Understanding

In the Book of Mormon, when Nephi asks his brothers if they have “inquired of the Lord” to understand the teachings of their father, Lehi, they say: “We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us” (1 Nephi 15:9).

Prophetic teachings were given “unto” the hearts of Laman and Lemuel but never made it “into” their hearts, said President Kusch.

“We don’t have to be like Nephi’s hard-hearted brothers, who never thought to ask. Rather, we can seek the Lord’s gift of understanding through prayer, pondering, study and worthy living.”

Those who seek to understand can do so with “the heart and a willing mind” (Doctrine and Covenants 64:34), inviting the Lord’s help through action.

President Kusch said that “exercising faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, obedience to God’s commandments, sincere prayer and diligent seeking of the companionship of the Holy Ghost precede and are essential in obtaining the gift of understanding.”

Seek Understanding Through Prophetic Counsel

Latter-day Saints can understand the words of living prophets through a three-step process that Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught in 2021.

Elder Bednar said: “The basic pattern is to identify the fundamental doctrine or principle that is being taught, find invitations to act related to that doctrine or principle, and then also recognize the promised blessings that will come as we act in accordance with that invitation” (“The Principles of My Gospel,” April 2021 general conference).

These three steps — identifying fundamental doctrine, finding invitations to act and recognizing promised blessings — are key in seeking understanding through words of the living prophets, President Kusch said.

“A testimony of what President Russell M. Nelson teaches us comes as we apply what he teaches, not by doubting, questioning or dismissing his prophetic counsel.”

Live With a Full Measure of Faith

Obtaining faith and baking a cake have something in common, said Sister Kusch. Just as measuring ingredients is essential for a tasty cake, having a full measure of faith in Jesus Christ is essential for Latter-day Saints.

“Paul declares this: ‘Let us draw near [to Him] with a true heart in full assurance of faith’ (Hebrews 10:22).’ In other words, let us look to the Savior with a full measure of faith and believe what He can and will do for us,” Sister Kusch said.

How can Saints take the faith they have and build upon it? And how can they gain the courage to act on what they know to be true? She gave three ways:

1. Say what they already know about faith.
2. Decide how they can increase their faith.
3. Begin where they are and trust God can help them become something greater.

“All things are possible to those who live and act with faith, who trust in God’s promises,” said Sister Kusch. “May we live our lives with a full measure of faith in our Savior and Friend.”

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