An Argument for the Intellect Part 4: "A Paradox"

In the last article I dove into what Joseph Smith had to say on this topic primarily, with a couple of statements from Brigham Young. My object in this article is to go through some of what the Brethren have said throughout the years. These are some of my favorite quotes, but they are not an exhaustive list. The point is clear we have been commanded to learn and from that springs such unimaginable joy. It will lead to greater and greater blessings as we choose to follow along the covenant path and in the footsteps of our Savior who "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:52 KJV) For "this is life eternal," Jesus prayed, "that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3 KJV)

President Nelson recently said, "I invite you to think deeply and often about this key question: How do you hear Him? I also invite you to take steps to hear Him better and more often."¹ This last General Conference we heard reiterated pleas to learn to receive revelation. We were asked frequently to ponder how we hear Him. In his April 2018 talk, Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives, President Nelson states:

I know that good inspiration is based upon good information.² 

Knowledge is the wellspring from which the Spirit draws and the Spirit cannot draw from an empty well. It falls on us to fill the well. I think this may seem like a daunting task. It can be. When I first started reading some of the more academic work that I am now accustomed to it was difficult. But that shouldn't surprise us. Most things that are good for us will stretch us. Strengthening a muscle requires consistent effort and nourishment. You cannot stick with the same weight and exercise routine and expect hypertrophy. Rather, a blend on exercises and weights must be used. Furthermore, proper nourishment is crucial. One needs to eat adequate amounts of high quality food to promote growth. Conversely, a poor diet will lead to stunted growth. Neglecting exercise will lead to atrophy. And atrophy will lead to flaccidity. Likewise, when we consistently study out of the best books daily we strengthen our spiritual muscles. Doing so will fill our spiritual wellspring.

Elder John A. Widtsoe

Elder Widtsoe was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve during the early half of the 1900s. If you read Saints Vol. 2 he was mentioned in it towards the end. He was trained at Harvard University; while there he made a commitment to spend equal time studying the gospel.³  He went on to be a professor of chemistry.⁴ I state all that to make his quote all the more striking. He wrote:

It is a paradox that men will gladly devote time every day for many years to learn a science or an art; yet will expect to win a knowledge of the Gospel, which comprehends all sciences and arts, through perfunctory glances at books or occasional listening to sermons. The Gospel should be studied more intensively than any school or college subject. They who pass opinion on the Gospel without having given it intimate and careful study are not lovers of truth, and their opinions are worthless.⁵

This is one of my favorite quotes not only because of the boldness of it which I always enjoy, but because he backs it up from life experience. I cannot argue against him either. What he says is true and I have seen it time and time again. Sometimes it is innocently perpetuated by saying the Gospel is simple to be understood. There is truth in that, but there is such depth to the Gospel that you can study it a lifetime and only begin to uncover it. We unfortunately at times promote an idea that understanding the basics is all you need and we never leave the milk behind for the meat. (1 Cor 3:2)

President Hugh B. Brown

Along this same line of thought President Brown taught:

“I am impressed with the testimony of a man who can stand and say he knows the Gospel is true. What I would like to ask is, “But, sir, do you know the Gospel?” I say it is one thing to know the Gospel is true, and it is another thing to know what the Gospel is. Mere testimony can be gained with but perfunctory knowledge of the Church and its teachings, as evidenced by the hundreds who are now coming into the Church with but bare acquaintanceship. But to retain a testimony, to be of service in building the Lord’s kingdom, requires a serious study of the Gospel and knowing what it is.”⁶

Gaining a testimony of the Gospel is simple but retaining it is a whole different story. Furthermore, being an able-bodied servant requires deep study.

On another occasion, President Brown had this to say, sorry it is a bit of a long one (not sure why I am apologizing if you are reading my blog you should be used to it by now):

[S]ometimes …some of us seem to indicate that having been baptized, [and] received the Holy Ghost, … and then having gone to church, and the men having received the priesthood, that we’ve done all that we ever need to do, that we’ve “arrived.” Then the older ones among us rest our hands comfortably on the shelf that nature gradually prepares for us, and we lean back and enjoy the ecstasy of thinking we’re going to be transported into heaven immediately. 

It is to me something like a man who learned of electricity, that is, [who] learned that there was such a thing, and he … had a conduit wire connected to his house. And he bought him a little ten-watt bulb and installed it in the back room of his house and then sat down, put on his slippers, and took his pipe, and sat in the rocking chair and said, “I’ve got electricity. I’m the happiest man in the world. Nobody else can boast of more than I, because they, too, have electricity. And I have electricity.” Not … realizing that what he had was a little ten-watt bulb and that he was in semi-darkness. Not realizing that if he would he could have had ten-thousand times that illumination. He could have had a bulb in every room, and one over the reading lamp, and on the piano, and all around … He could have done all his work with electricity. But there he sits, placidly rocking, “Thank God I’ve got electricity.” I’ve joined the Church. I’m going to heaven as soon as I die.” There’s an awful shock coming to some people because “the glory of God is intelligence.”[18] And there are some Latter-day Saints who have only a ten-watt bulb of spiritual insight and knowledge. And that ten-watt bulb will take them only where they use ten-watt bulbs. And they wouldn’t be able to endure the glory of anything brighter.⁷

There is a long road ahead of us. Remember what Nephi said, "And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you; Nay....Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." (2 Ne 31:19-20) We enter the gate by baptism and now we are on the covenant path that leads straight back home. But it will be a long while before we get there. What does Nephi exhort us to do among other things? Feast. And then he goes on in his sermon that is very much related to the temple. Feasting on the words of Christ is an important part of the experience. And what does it say in the Doctrine and Covenants? "That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." (D&C 50:24) No measly 10 watt light bulbs. For "the glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth." (D&C 93:36)

Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Elder Maxwell was a great advocate for academic learning. I highly recommend reading his biography, he has an amazing life story. He constantly encouraged learning even by the way he wrote and spoke. It took years to develop his prose. It was part of consecration to him as he sought to become more like his Maker. He said:

For a disciple of Jesus Christ, academic scholarship is a form of worship. It is actually another dimension of consecration. Hence one who seeks to be a disciple-scholar will take both scholarship and discipleship seriously; and, likewise, gospel covenants. For the disciple-scholar, the first and second great commandments frame and prioritize life. How else could one worship God with all of one's heart, might, mind, and strength?  (Luke 10:27.)  Adoration of God leads to emulation of Him and Jesus: "Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.⁸

The idea of being a disciple-scholar really resonates with me. As we approach the throne of God and increase in our love for Him, our desire to be like him grows. It is important that we do not neglect other Christlike attributes in this pursuit. We must seek to be meek and humble. To that end, Elder Maxwell stated, "Genius is safest when it is accompanied by meekness. Competency is most useful when accompanied by humility. The qualities of love, mercy, patience, meekness, and spiritual submissiveness are portable. These-to the degree developed-will go with us through the veil of death; they will also rise with us in the resurrection."⁸

Maybe we need to develop these traits. Maybe we are not quite attuned to reading let alone academic reading. Maybe we don't like reading at all. Maybe we are just used to something else and all this stuff is nonsense to us. It is not worth the effort, it is not enjoyable. Elder Douglas L. Callister speaking of music and then quoting Elder Maxwell said: 

When some music has passed the tests of time and been cherished by the noble and refined, our failure to appreciate it is not an indictment of grand music. The omission is within. If a young person grows up on a steady diet of hamburgers and french fries, he is not likely to become a gourmet. But the fault is not with the fine food. He just grew up on something less. Some have grown up on a steady diet of musical french fries.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell said:

We...live in a world that is too prone to the tasteless, and we need to provide an opportunity to cultivate a taste for the finest music. And, likewise, we're in a world that's so attuned to the now that we need to permit people to be more attuned to the best music of all the ages.⁹

The same goes with our taste in all facets of life. I grew up on a fast food diet of Goosebumps and other books just to get by in school without having to read too much. It wasn't until later in life that I found the treasure trove that exists. We need a more refined taste and that is precisely what the Lord has in store for us if we will let Him.


President Gordon B. Hinckley

President Hinckley speaking to religious educators stated, "It is imperative that we as teachers in the seminary and institute of religion program of the Church read constantly the scriptures and other books related directly to the history, the doctrine, and the practices of the Church. But we ought also to be reading secular history, the great literature that has survived the ages, and the writings of contemporary thinkers and doers. In so doing we will find inspiration to pass on to our students who will need all the balanced strength they can get as they face the world into which they move."¹⁰

Of course, we could justify this statement as applicable only to S&I teachers, but they are meant to inspire the youth and young adults. If it was told to them, it is told to all in my opinion. There is great truth in what he states laying out the "best books." (D&C 88:118) He first states the scriptures, no doubt they are foremost, but he follows it with books on history, doctrine, and practices of the Church. There are numerous books on these topics both within the Church and without. I say without because we have not cornered the market on biblical scholarship. There are great scholars outside of the Church just as within.

I love that he recommends secular history and great literature. I have always loved history, especially ancient history, Egypt being a particular fascination. There are so many books that fall into the category of great literature. I have been trying to make my way through a selection of these books. Books I wish I would have read long ago, but they are typically not part of a formal education anymore. Books such as Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle or a more contemporary book that I am currently reading like Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. There are so many to choose from and far better than the usual fast food diet we are used to consuming. Of course, there are many contemporary thinkers that are good too and should not be overlooked.

President M. Russell Ballard

President Ballard, then Elder Ballard, gave a wonderful devotional at BYU called Questions and Answers. In it he shared some wonderful counsel. This is one that is fitting to help us remember that the Brethren too seek experts in various subjects. That being General Authorities does not make them experts even in the scriptures. They are called to call others to come unto Christ and to testify of Him.

He states:

It is important to remember that I am a General Authority, but that does not make me an authority in general!
My calling and life experiences allow me to respond to certain types of questions. There are other types of questions that require an expert in a specific subject matter. This is exactly what I do when I need an answer to such questions: I seek help from others, including those with degrees and expertise in such fields.
I worry sometimes that members expect too much from Church leaders and teachers—­expecting them to be experts in subjects well beyond their duties and responsibilities. The Lord called the apostles and prophets to invite ­others to come unto Christ—not to obtain advanced degrees in ancient history, biblical studies, and other fields that may be useful in answering all the questions we may have about scriptures, history, and the Church. Our primary duty is to build up the Church, teach the doctrine of Christ, and help those in need of help....
If you have a question that requires an expert, please take the time to find a thoughtful and qualified expert to help you. There are many on this campus and elsewhere who have the degrees and expertise to respond and give some insight to most of these types of questions.¹¹

I love how he lays out the primary duties of being a General Authority while acknowledging the fact that they too need to seek the advice of others. I think we often think differently about them, maybe putting them on a pedestal they don't deserve nor want.

In another address, this time to CES teachers, then Elder Ballard said this:

For you to understand the doctrinal and historical content and context of the scriptures and our history, you will need to study from the “best books,” as the Lord directed. The “best books” include the scriptures, the teachings of modern prophets and apostles, and the best LDS scholarship available. Through your diligent efforts to learn by study and faith, you will be able to help your students learn the skills and attitudes necessary to distinguish between reliable information that will lift them up and the half-truths and incorrect interpretations of doctrine, history, and practices that will bring them down.¹²

The entire address is worth reading. He hits many key points including the need for a deeper understanding. We are often more familiar with many secular things than we are with the scriptures. We can easily Google a question and the answers are right at our fingertips. Unfortunately, we live in a world with competing voices and many are without a guide to help them along. To this end, he said, "Gone are the days when a student asked an honest question and a teacher responded, 'Don’t worry about it!' Gone are the days when a student raised a sincere concern and a teacher bore his or her testimony as a response intended to avoid the issue. Gone are the days when students were protected from people who attacked the Church."¹² The simple answers just won't do anymore. Further, the deep and long-lasting impressions given from in depth gospel study is worth more than all the treasures of the earth.

We have multiple reasons to take this course of action: our own welfare, our families' welfare, and the welfare of those we serve. Which is a good transition into what Elder Holland had to say on the subject.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

In a Conference address from April 1998, Elder Holland speaking of teaching said:

Perhaps that is why President David O. McKay once said, 'No greater responsibility can rest upon any man [or woman] than to be a teacher of God's children.' We are, in fact, all somewhat like the man of Ethiopia to whom Philip was sent. Like him, we may know enough to reach out for religion. We may invest ourselves in the scriptures. We may even give up our earthly treasures, but without sufficient instruction we may miss the meaning of all this and the requirements that still lie before us. So we cry with this man of great authority, 'How can [we understand,] except some [teacher] should guide [us]?¹³

I hope these articles may be a good influence on someone to read just a little bit more, to devote just a little more time to their Savior. And no matter what calling we hold in the Church, we are all teachers. And I agree with President McKay and Elder Holland, that there is "no greater responsibility." I love teaching, but how can one teach without the prerequisite knowledge? That brings us back to Elder Widtsoe's "paradox."

Elder Holland went on to say, "Inspired teaching must never become a lost art in the Church, and we must make certain our quest for it does not become a lost tradition." And then quoting President Kimball said, "'I fear,' he said, 'that all too often many of our members come to church, sit through a class or a meeting, and ... then return home having been largely [uninspired]. It is especially unfortunate when this happens at a time ... of stress, temptation, or crisis [in their life]. We all need to be touch and nurtured by the Spirit,' he said, 'and effective teaching is one of the most important ways this can happen. We often do vigorous work,' President Kimball concluded, 'to get members to come to Church but then do not adequately watch over what they receive when they do come.'" And then quoting President Hinckley, "'Effective teaching is the very essence of leadership in the Church. Eternal life,' President Hinckley continued, 'will come only as men and women are taught with such effectiveness that they change and discipline their lives. They cannot be coerced into righteousness or into heaven. They must be led, and that means teaching.'"¹³

I really cannot leave out teaching when talking about the attainment of knowledge. For to hold on to that knowledge and not help others progress along the covenant path goes directly against its purpose. How wonderful it is to teach a class having the Spirit descend upon all and see the bright faces looking up at you as the Lord helps all of us understand together and come a little closer to Him. What a blessing.

I will end up referring to this talk again in the future because I want to write another article on teaching, as it is of important interest not only to me but to us all.

Elder Holland states later on:

When crises come in our lives—and they will—the philosophies of men interlaced with a few scriptures and poems just won’t do. Are we really nurturing our youth and our new members in a way that will sustain them when the stresses of life appear? Or are we giving them a kind of theological Twinkie—spiritually empty calories? President John Taylor once called such teaching “fried froth,” the kind of thing you could eat all day and yet finish feeling totally unsatisfied. During a severe winter several years ago, President Boyd K. Packer noted that a goodly number of deer had died of starvation while their stomachs were full of hay. In an honest effort to assist, agencies had supplied the superficial when the substantial was what had been needed. Regrettably they had fed the deer but they had not nourished them.¹³

I love the word theological Twinkie and often that is what is served. Our stomachs are filled with that which provides no nourishment. Ever hungry and always searching for more. As a doctor I have noticed this in patients including myself. I will eat certain foods and be filled but yet be hungry. I do not have room for more food, but yet I am hungry. It is due to this same principle. I filled up on things of little worth lacking the vital nutrients my body needed. We likewise can do this spiritually. By reading trite books of the inspirational genre or neglecting gospel study in general, maybe only reading a little bit out of our scriptures each day, we will fill our spiritual stomachs with empty calories and ultimately starve ourselves.

One last thought from Elder Holland and then I'll wrap this up. This comes from a talk he gave at the Book of Mormon Chiasmus Conference in 2017, entitled The Greatness of the Evidence. It was done in honor of John W. Welch's discovery of chiasmus in the Book of Mormon. He said the following:

Our testimonies aren’t dependent on evidence—we still need that spiritual confirmation in the heart of which we have spoken—but not to seek for and not to acknowledge intellectual, documentable support for our belief when it is available is to needlessly limit an otherwise incomparably strong theological position and deny us a unique, persuasive vocabulary in the latter-day arena of religious investigation and sectarian debate. Thus armed with so much evidence of the kind we have celebrated here tonight, we ought to be more assertive than we sometimes are in defending our testimony of truth.¹⁴

What an inspiring message! Great evidence has come forth for the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and the Pearl of Great Price. Many remarkable discoveries and like he said we are not dependent on them for our testimonies, but they are a strength to us. There are numerous resources as I have been saying. They deepen our understanding and strengthen our foundation and faith in the Lord. He is bringing forth vast amounts of information for us to learn and understand so we can grow spiritually and stand up to the wiles of the adversary. The Lord will not leave us comfortless. (John 14:18 KJV)

We must remember what President Nelson has said, "good inspiration is based upon good information."2 It is truly a paradox for us to study and search and spend hours researching for our formal education and careers that will only last a few decades compared to the knowledge that will direct our paths for the eternities. In this talk by President Nelson, he counsels us to receive revelation. This is the most vital and important form of knowledge we can receive. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3 KJV) The Prophet Joseph Smith, as reported by Willard Richards, said, "No one can truly say he knows God until he has handled something and this can only happen in the Holiest Of Holies."¹⁵ It is in the temple that we truly come unto Christ. It is the focal point of coming unto Him. It is the Lord's University. No greater one exists. All the studying we do prepares us to commune with the Lord in His Home, our Home if we will have it. There we will come to know Him, a greater, more important knowledge can no one possess. And all this starts by reading out of the "best books." (D&C 88:118)

Sources:

1. Russell M. Nelson, “‘How Do You #HearHim?’ A Special Invitation,” Feb. 26, 2020, blog.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
2. Nelson, Russell M. “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng.
3. Saints: No Unhallowed Hand. Vol. 2. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2020.
4. “John A. Widtsoe.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_A._Widtsoe.
5. Widtsoe, John A. Evidences and Reconciliations. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1960.
6. Matthews, Hugh B. Personal correspondence, dated 28 January 1969.
7. Brown, Hugh B. 1956. Education is a Part of Salvation. In BYU Education Week, June 20, 1956, Brigham Young University.
8. Maxwell, Neal A. “The Disciple-Scholar.” The Disciple-Scholar | Neal A. Maxwell. https://scottwoodward.org/Talks/html/Maxwell, Neal A/MaxwellNA_TheDiscipleScholar.html.
9. Callister, Douglas L. “Your Refined Heavenly Home.” BYU Speeches. https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/douglas-l-callister/refined-heavenly-home/.
10. Hinckley, Gordon B. “Four Imperatives for Religious Educators: Religious Studies Center.” Religious Studies Center. https://rsc.byu.edu/voice-my-servants/four-imperatives-religious-educators.
11. Ballard, M. Russell. “Questions and Answers - M. Russell Ballard.” BYU Speeches. https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/m-russell-ballard/questions-and-answers/.
12. Ballard, M. Russell. “The Opportunities and Responsibilities of CES Teachers in the 21st Century.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/article/evening-with-a-general-authority/2016/02/the-opportunities-and-responsibilities-of-ces-teachers-in-the-21st-century?lang=eng.
13. Holland, Jeffrey R. “Teacher Come from God.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1998/04/a-teacher-come-from-god?lang=eng.
14. Holland, Jeffrey R. “Transcript: Elder Holland Speaks at Book of Mormon Chiasmus Conference.” Newsroom, August 16, 2017. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/transcript-elder-holland-speaks-book-of-mormon-chiasmus-conference-2017.
15. Smith Jr., Joseph. “Discourse, 1 May 1842, as Reported by Willard Richards, Page 94.” Recorded by Willard Richards. Joseph Smith Papers. https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/discourse-1-may-1842-as-reported-by-willard-richards/1.