Quentin L. Cook on seeking knowledge and strengthening faith

Elder Quentin L. Cook (1940- ) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.

"In the doctrines of the Church, faith and the quest for knowledge are not inconsistent, they are compatible and complimentary. When I speak of faith, I am speaking of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ....

"Faith and knowledge require equal effort and commitment. We cannot expect to have faith at the center of our lives if all of our efforts are expended on knowledge, making money, sports, hobbies, or other pursuits....

"Let me share with you five principles that I believe are essential as you place faith in the Lord Jesus Christ at the center of your lives as you seek diligently for knowledge....

"First: Understand that there is truly opposition in all things. The choices you make are critical;

"Second: Strengthen your own testimony as a foundation for all of the choices you make;

"Third: Seek knowledge diligently, wisely, and with humility;

"Fourth: Follow the Prophet's counsel as you make your choices; and,

"Fifth: Live so the atonement can be efficacious in your life."

- Quentin L. Cook, "Strengthen Faith as You Seek Knowledge," BYU-Idaho Devotional, March 14, 2006
Click here to read the full talk

It's often a challenge to find appropriate balances for how we spend our time and where we focus our efforts. Elder Cook discusses one of the major aspects of this challenge. We certainly have needs to focus on "making money, sports, hobbies, or other pursuits" — those kinds of demands are pretty constant. But he refines the choices a little further in discussing the balance between seeking faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and seeking knowledge. It's not one or the other in competition; they work together in tandem if the alignment is appropriate.

I appreciated the five guidelines he offered to help "place faith in the Lord Jesus Christ at the center of your lives as you seek diligently for knowledge." His remarks were directed at college students, who are very much focused on the quest for knowledge. But they should apply to all of us as we continue to learn and grow in our personal development. It's worthwhile to read the full article and review the counsel Elder Cook offered.

It's especially interesting to ponder the fifth recommendation, and the relationship of the Savior's Atonement to our current efforts at gaining knowledge and faith.