Pure

1. Definition:
1. 1828: Free from moral defilement; without spot; not sullied or tarnished; incorrupt; undebased by moral turpitude; holy.
1. Moral (values)
2. Incorrupt (worthy)
3. Holy (divine)
1. Something which is pure is that which has a sanctified set of values (or morals) which makes that thing worthy of the divine in this world and the next.
2. Quotes:
1. “We can let the events that surround us determine our actions—or we can personally take charge and rule our lives, using as guidelines the principles of pure religion. Pure religion is learning the gospel of Jesus Christ and then putting it into action. Nothing will ever be of real benefit to us until it is incorporated into our own lives.” (General Conference, October 1982, Marvin J. Ashton)
1. A value is not something you have, it is something you are. To be pure we must act on those divine principles so that we can become purified.
2. “I pray that we will seek through the Savior’s Atonement to have both clean hands and a pure heart, that we may become holy, without spot. I witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Eternal Father and our Savior. He who is without spot redeems us from sin and strengthens us to do good and to become better.” (General Conference, October 2007, David A. Bednar)
1. The ability to be clean and pure, holy and without spot, comes from the Savior’s Atonement. By living worthy of His sanctifying, eternal, divine gift, our hearts and hands become purified.
3. “Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.” (Buddha)
1. To live a pure life, we must live a life of virtue and goodness. We know that God and Christ are the ultimate source of that goodness and virtue.
3. Scriptures:
1. “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ. And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot” (Moroni 10: 32-33)
1. This scripture lays out the process for becoming like Christ, which is the ultimate Purefection. Deny yourself of corrupt things with all your strength, and then rely on the grace of God and you will become perfect in Christ. Then, if we do not deny Him, we become sanctified and are worthy to enter the holy presence of God.
4. Personal Definition:

We came to this world to learn how to become pure. Something which is pure is that which is worthy of divinity. It gain that worthiness by its attention to true, incorrupt principles of truth, or virtues. The only way we can truly follow this process in our lives is by both faith and works. After all we can do we must rely on the arm of the Savior to purify and sanctify us for eternity.

Wisdom

1. Definition:
1. 1828: The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness.
1. Knowledge (information)
2. Choice (decision)
3. Discerning (perceptive)
1. Having wisdom is having a clear understanding of something. But not only having the information (for having denotes only knowledge), rather, having a clear idea of how to use the knowledge for good.
2. Quotes:
1. “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” (William Arthur Ward)
1. This quote does not even mention wisdom. But I think it’s very telling of what wisdom is. The realist here actually does something to change his situation. He applies his knowledge and actually tries to change his situation for the better.
2. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” (The Serenity Prayer)
1. The difference between submission and active change is the attribute of wisdom. A wise man knows that difference, and acts on it.
3. “We may know so much, yet learn so little. ‘Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?’ Again I ask, Where is wisdom?...Wisdom is to be found in pure intelligence—in that divine light which can guide people in all countries, all climes, and all continents.” (Russell M. Nelson, Where is Wisdom)
3. Scriptures:
1. “And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” (Doctrine and Covenants 88: 118)
1. We are told that we must seek and teach wisdom to others. That we can gain that wisdom through study and faith.
2. “And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship” (Exodus 31: 3)
1. To restate this verse with Hebraic definitions added (found here: http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/40_exodus2.html): “And I have filled him with the spirit of God, with the ability to distinguish between the good and the bad, and with the ability to discern the processes of construction, and with an intimate ability to perform the tasks, and in all manner of workmanship”
3. “O be wise; what can I say more?” (Jacob 6:12)
4. Personal Definition:

Wisdom is perceiving the difference between the good and evil choices and acting on those. We must seek and teach wisdom to others. We are told to be wise, and if we are there is not much else we can do to be better.

Study

1. Definition:
1. 1828: 1. To apply the mind to; to read and examine for the purpose of learning and understanding; as, to study law or theology; to study languages. 2. To consider attentively; to examine closely.
1. Apply (work)
2. Examine (evaluate)
3. Consider (ponder)
1. Study is not something easily done. It is the doing of hard work for the purpose of learning something. This can either be gained by examination (factual study) or through consideration (discussions, reflective study.) Interesting however, both the words examine and consider are derived for the same word, sidius, which means star.
2. Quotes:
1. “Prayer without study would be empty. Study without prayer would be blind.” (Fakok)
1. Study is an act which enriches the area of life it is applied to, no matter what. It is therefore essential to first study doctrine prayerfully, so that Christ can lead you where He wishes.
2. “We learn by faith as we diligently gain spiritual knowledge through prayer, scripture study, and obedience and as we seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost, who testifies of all truth.” (Mary N. Cook, April 2012 General Conference)
1. We can learn by faith by applying ourselves to study. As we do so, we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives. The Spirit testifies of the truth of all things. So it is imperative that in our studies we invite the Holy Ghost to be our teacher. We do this by study of the gospel.
3. Scriptures:
1. “Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.” (Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-8)
1. God asks us to study the things we do not know. To live only by faith would come to nothing. When seeking knowledge, study must accompany faith. The faith by your works is study.
2. “And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” (Doctrine Covenants 88:118)
1. As I said before, study is necessary for wisdom, just as faith is. If we would learn wisdom, we must be willing to study with God’s plan in mind. Keep an eternal perspective while living in this temporal sphere. 
4. Personal Definition:

1. Study is something to apply yourself to do in order to refine your understanding of that thing. Study must always be accompanied by faith, but should not be replaced by it. Both faith and study are strengthened by the presence of the other. If we would know what our Father would have us do, we must study earnestly with faith that He will guide you.

Faith

1. Definition:
1. 1828: In theology, the assent of the mind or understanding to the truth of what God has revealed. Simple belief of the scriptures, of the being and perfections of God, and of the existence, character and doctrines of Christ, founded on the testimony of the sacred writers, is called historical or speculative faith; a faith little distinguished from the belief of the existence and achievements of Alexander or of Cesar.
1. Understanding (mastery)
2. Truth (faithfulness)
3. Belief (principle)
1. Faith is gaining a mastery of true principles, generally found in the scriptures or gospel of a religion. It something one does, not something one has. Faith is the process while testimony is the result.
2. Quotes:
1. “To have faith in God is not knowing that God exists or knowing that he will act, rather it is that the one with emunah (faith) will act with firmness toward God's will.” (Jeff A Benner)
1. Faith is doing. Doing something because of a belief you have. To have real faith in Christ you must do as He would have you do.
2. “And so it is with our eternal journey. We take one step at a time. In doing so we reach toward the unknown, but faith lights the way. If we will cultivate that faith, we shall never walk in darkness.” (Gordon B. Hinkley)
1. Faith is a guiding force. If you are using your faith, you are allowing God to direct you. Anything you do by faith is allowing God to direct you and to lead you.
3. Scriptures:
1. “Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity.” (Moroni 10:20)
1. Faith is essential, but it is important to remember that it is an action based on hope. Hope is confidence in God and His promises. Hope comes from Charity, which is honest love of others. If one seeks to have faith, one must first have charity.
2. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18)
1. Again, faith is action. One cannot have faith because it is more like a verb than a noun. to really have faith, you must be actively serving and being a good person. It is the application of charity.
4. Personal Definition:

To have faith is to do. To do things which your Father asks. It is a mastery of true principles. It is a force that can guide and direct you. Faith is acting of hope, which comes from charity. Faith is the direct application of the pure love of Christ.

Learn

1. Definition:
1. 1828: To gain knowledge of; to acquire knowledge or ideas of something before unknown. We learn the use of letters, the meaning of words and the principles of science. We learn things by instruction, by study, and by experience and observation. It is much easier to learn what is right, than to unlearn what is wrong.
1. Knowledge (capacity)
2. Instruction (education)
3. Study (investigate)
1. The process of learning is the process of increasing one's capacity to understand a concept through hard work and investment (or investigation)
2. Quotes:
1. “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” (Dr. Seuss)
1. You can’t learn something from nothing. Work and new energy must be exerted in order for learning to occur. When it does occur, your capacity to influence the world increases.
2. “I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” (Pablo Picasso)
1. That’s the principle, action brings knowledge. Confucius said that there were three ways one can learn wisdom; through reflection, through imitation, and through experience.
3. Scriptures:
1. “And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118, italics added)
1. Seek-it requires action. Teach-it does too. Learning is meant to be an active, not a passive process. The best places to look for true learning is by honest study and by faith in the God who can teach all things.
4. Personal Definition:

Learning is something you have to work for. To learn something is to exert your mind to understand something, that you might, through study or faith, grow your capacity till you hold that concept within your mind. Like a muscle, it must be stretched before it can grow.

Education

1. Definition:
1. 1828: The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners. education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.
1. Instruction (direction)
2. Discipline (teaching)
3. Enlighten (illuminate)
1. Education is not just the acquiring of facts, but the direction taught by an increased understanding to the world around. It is the parents role to educate, in both temporal and spiritual matters.
2. Quotes:
1. “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.” (Carl Rogers)
1. Education is learning how to learn and change your environment. Everything else therein is secondary.
2. "Character is the aim of true education; and science, history, and literature are but means used to accomplish the desired end. Character is not the result of chance work but of continuous right thinking and right acting. True education seeks, then, to make men and women not only good mathematicians, proficient linguists, profound scientists, or brilliant literary lights, but also honest men, combined with virtue, temperance, and brotherly love-men and women who prize truth, justice, wisdom, benevolence, and self-control as the choicest acquisitions of a successful life.” (David O. McKay)
1. Education is not to make a man ready for society, but to make a good man. In the process he will acquire many other things, but the goal should be character.
3. Scriptures:
1. “And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118)
1. Education is also to be shared. Teach others from books of wisdom.
4. Personal Definition:

Education is something to make someone a better person. It allows you to change your place in life. We must share it with others for it to be a true education.