In an atom, an electron can be found in different orbital shells. They're called shells because each shell has a discrete energy level and the electron has to leap from one level to the next instantaneously. Basically, the electron can't wander halfway from one level to the next. It needs to always be at one energy level or the other. We call these discrete energy levels quanta and since the electron has to leap or jump from one quantum to the next, we call it a quantum leap. The way that it accomplishes this leap is by absorbing a photon, which is a little packet of light, with the exact right amount of energy to take it to the next level up. Just like electrons, we sometimes need to make quantum leaps of our own. We also call these leaps of faith. As much as we might be striving daily to make incremental improvements in our lives, sometimes we have to have enough faith to jump up to the next level. Studying the word of God and praying to know that it is true is a true example of faith and can definitely invite the Spirit to testify, but in order to get to that next level where we can have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we have to take that quantum leap of baptism and confirmation. We can't incrementally get to the level of constant companionship with the Holy Ghost without that leap of faith that comes from entering into the covenant of baptism. The good news is that we don't have to do these leaps all on our own power. Just as the electron absorbs the light from a photon which gives it the energy to leap to the next level, so too can we absorb enough of the light of Christ to give us the power to make our quantum leap of faith to the next level. If we feel that we are stuck in our lives, then maybe we need to make an earnest effort to seek for enough light and truth so that we can make that leap to the next level. I know that it is a crucial part of God's plan for us to learn line upon line, and leap from one quantum of faith to the next, so that our light and our energy and our power can grow brighter and brighter until the day that we are made perfect.
