In section 88 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord outlines a plan for learning: to seek learning even by study and also by faith.
This principle is easy to apply to the study of The Book of Mormon, but learning science by faith can be more difficult.
“I pray a lot before and during studying. I find myself talking to Him about what I’m studying, and thanking the Lord that I have the opportunity [to learn] … Fifty years ago there wouldn’t have been as much for me to know,” said Stephanie Petersen, a freshman from Richmond, Utah.
Petersen believes that faith can be a strengthen when studying subjects that might seem to be unrelated to the gospel.
“Just studying in-depth things like cells testifies to me that the world didn’t just happen, that it was planned and thought out. It’s a testimony that there is a God,” Petersen said.
The concept of incorporating faith in the process of learning is not new to Peterson. She remembers a time in high school when she was extremely busy with ballet, work and school. She had a test coming up in her Concurrent Enrollment class, and she knew she only had time to read through the material once, so she said a prayer asking the Lord help her remember everything she read.
The next day she found herself stumped on a question. She knew she had read the answer, and she could imagine in her mind what page it was in the book. It was at this point that she said the blessings of studying by faith were given to her.
“It was like someone was telling me the answer to that question, like someone was standing right by me helping me remember the answers,” said Peterson.
Petersen feels that every subject of study can relate back to faith in this way.
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