Understand?

What is the difference between believing and understanding? There are several things I have learned these past few months that have helped me see the distinction. It has been so wonderful to have meaning and understanding added to my life's foundation.

I have two brief examples of this: 1, what I have come to understand about music, and 2, what I have come to understand about the gospel of Christ.

Firstly, music. I have played the piano since 4^th grade and have always loved classical music. But now I realize that I never had a great understanding of it; my incomplete knowledge was preventing me from truly understanding it. Just learning about the elements of different musical time periods, music history, and composers’ lives in my Music 101 class has greatly influenced the way I hear and play music. I don’t just believe that music is beautiful; I understand why it is beautiful.

Secondly, the gospel. I have always believed that our church is true. I have believed that Christ is our Redeemer and we can’t receive exaltation without him, and without repentance, faith, and obedience. My testimony of these things has always existed, but everything has recently taken on new meaning to me—I just wish I could explain it! Everything seems to be so much more real now, so much more important. I don’t just believe that we need Christ in our lives; I understand why we need him.

I love how my foundation of faith, belief, and knowledge has been growing! I keep catching myself truly enjoying the homework and readings I am assigned to do in my classes. Which is pretty weird. But I’m glad for the ways in which I am learning and growing at BYU, and the things I have come to truly understand.