New Words for Important Thoughts

Sometimes we hear things so often that we don’t really hear them at all. This often happens with definitions of gospel principles. For example, we’ve heard Paul’s definition of faith (Hebrews 11:1) so often that we don’t even stop to think about what the words mean. So when we hear “the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” we think “Oh, that’s faith,” and it doesn’t mean anything to us.

But let’s word the first part of that sentence differently. “Assurance of things hope for” could be worded, “Knowing that God will provide what is necessary for you at exactly the right moment.” When thought of in this way it triggers new insights and feelings.

One practice that will fuel your faith and gospel learning is to take the scriptural phrases you’ve heard all your life and restate them in your own words. It is a good way to meditate on the gospel because it keeps the thoughts and feelings alive within us rather than dulled because they are so familiar. It also keeps us from taking the marvelous principles of the gospel for granted. But the greatest blessing of doing this is that as we make an effort to renew the teachings of the gospel in our lives, the gospel will renew us.