(Originally published on 21 May 2013.)
This is Scripture Roundtable 27 from The Interpreter Foundation, in which we discuss Doctrine & Covenants Gospel Doctrine Lesson #23, “Seek Learning, Even by Study and Also by Faith,” focusing on D&C 88, bringing in various insights to help us better understand the scriptures. These roundtables will generally follow the 2013 Gospel Doctrine schedule of scriptures, a few weeks ahead of time.
Some interesting discussion included in this roundtable is:
- The School of the Prophets in Kirtland was a school for both secular and sacred learning.
- D&C 88: 78-80 suggests that both sacred and secular learning were important to prepare for their mission in the world.
- The point of studying from the “best books” is not just to gain knowledge, but wisdom, which, along with the love we develop and relationships we have, are the only things we can take with us into the next life.
Panelists for this roundtable include Brant Gardner, Craig Foster, Daniel Peterson, and Martin Tanner.
This roundtable is also available as an audio podcast, and will be included in the podcast feed. You can listen by pressing the play button or download the podcast below:
Podcast: Download ()
The glory of God is intelligence, which is light and truth. What is light and truth? It is generally defined in Mormon culture as the Spirit of God, which adds wisdom to knowledge. But what is wisdom? Again, it is generally defined in Mormon culture as the inflence of the Spirit ofGod in our knowledge base. These descriptives become circular.
I have always like the idea of defining authentic intelligence as the ability to solve problems. The more intelligent a person is, the more he or she solves the problems in his or her own life. Not just little problems, but substantive ones. Of course, some problems are so large that they require the entire being and soul of a lifetime to address. God is the ultimate problem solver through his atonement.
Meanwhile, there are hosts of people who leave behind bigger problems than the ones they solve. These people cannot be described as intelligent. I have encountered a great many “intellectuals” who are incredibly book smart, whose minds are razor sharp, but who pour all their intellectual endeavors into the common cultural fads of the day. A seventeen trillion dollar national deficit turns out to be a product of intellectuals telling us how an economy works and how elegant their economic theory is. Of course, none of it is actually intelligent.
Authentic intelligence is a spiritual quality, and as such, requires work and suffering to acquire. God, the most intelligent of us all, suffered more than us all to gain his wisdom. Because the human race is constantly seeking to avoid work and suffering, using every means available, including intellectual and religious programs, it turns out there is very little, actual intelligence is going on here. While ever learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth is a pattern for the masses, individuals still show a remarkable courage and strength in their work and suffering towards solving the substantive problems which surround them. For these, the glory of God is lived.
Powerful insights. Thanks so much.