President Joseph Smith on the process of personal revelation

Joseph Smith (December 23, 1805-June 27, 1844) was given the apostolic authority when the Church of Jesus Christ was organized on April 6, 1830 and he was designated the first president of the church at age 24. He was martyred in 1844 at age 38.

"A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus."

- Joseph Smith, discourse on June 27, 1839, in Commerce, Illinois; see HC 3:381 or TPJS 151

Among the doctrinal foundations established by Joseph Smith as part of the restoration is the very fundamental concept of man's communication with God. This principle doesn't apply just to prophets and leaders, but to every person who will do what is necessary to open the lines of communication.

I love this quote; we can discover the beginnings of the "spirit of revelation" when we notice "pure intelligence flowing" to us from God.

The real key is to act upon the intelligence when it comes, and to then notice the fulfillment of the promptings; that strengthens our confidence and faith in God and in the process of revelation, and opens the door to more and greater communication in the future. Until, as Joseph noted, we may ultimately "grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus."

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

Elder Orson F. Whitney on the importance of spiritual learning

Elder Orson F. Whitney (1855-1931), a journalist, teacher, poet, and historian, was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1906 and served until his death in 1931 at age 75.

"This people are the friends, not the foes, of education; that they are seekers after wisdom, lovers of light and truth, universal Truth, which, like the waters of earth, or the sunbeams of heaven, has but one Source, let its earthly origin be what it may.
     'Truth is truth, wher'er 'tis found,
     On Christian or on heathen ground,'
and worthy of our love and admiration, whether far or near, high or low, whether blazing as a star in the blue vault of heaven, or springing like a floweret from the soil.

"'Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning even by study, and also by faith.' (D&C 88:118)

"Why did the Lord so instruct his Prophet? Why did the Prophet so teach his people? It was because God had designed, and his prophet had foreseen, a great and glorious future for that people....

"Literature means learning, and it is from the 'best books' we are told to seek it. This does not merely mean the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the book of Doctrine and Covenants, Church works and religious writings—though these indeed are 'the best books,' and will ever be included in and lie at the very basis of our literature. But it also means history, poetry, philosophy, art and science, languages, government—all truth in fact, wherever found, either local or general, and relating to times past, present or to come.

"Yes, the Prophet even meant revelation, inspiration. immediate and direct; for does he not say, 'seek learning by study and also by faith'? Faith points to futurity, to things that will be; study pertains more to the past, to things that have been. History is temporal; prophecy is spiritual. The past is great, but the future will be greater. The dead letter may be precious, but the living oracle is beyond all price."

- Orson F. Whitney, "Home Literature," speech at the YMMIA Conference, June 3, 1888, and subsequently published July 1888 in The ContributorClick here to read the full article

This is a fascinating article by Elder Whitney, in which he encouraged the Saints to focus on personal education in a variety of opportunities and settings; but especially to be advocates of "home literature" and to take every advantage of learning from personal efforts to read and study. Truth can be found in many sources, and we truly should "seek learning" by our study of "the best books" and by our faith. Well we might ask ourselves how we are doing in our pursuit of understanding in "history, poetry, philosophy, art and science, languages, government"—a wide variety of endeavors!

As we seek learning by revelation, this explanation of the relationship between faith and study is especially interesting. It helps to give some perspective to our efforts, and to make sure that all we do is grounded on a spiritual foundation.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

Elder David A. Bednar on education and intelligence

Elder David A. Bednar (born June 15, 1952) was serving as the president of BYU–Idaho when he was called and sustained as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2004.

"The revelations teach us that 'the glory of God is intelligence' (D&C 93:36). We typically may think the word intelligence in this scripture denotes innate cognitive ability or a particular gift for academic work. In this verse, however, one of the meanings of intelligence is the application of knowledge for righteous purposes. As President David O. McKay taught:

"'True education—the education [or learning] for which the Church stands—is the application of knowledge to the development of a noble and Godlike character.' ('True Education,' Improvement Era 60, no. 3 (March 1957): 141)

"We are blessed in mortality with endless opportunities to apply what we learn and know for righteousness—or to increase in intelligence. And learning from experience is one of the primary vehicles provided in the Father’s plan of happiness to accomplish this eternally important outcome. Consequently, we should not equate intelligence exclusively with formal education, academic degrees, or professional success. Some of the most educated people I have ever known had little or no intelligence. And some of the most intelligent people I have ever known had little or no formal education.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith is a prime example of an uneducated person who learned from experience and was filled with the light and truth of intelligence. (See D&C 93:36.)"

- David A. Bednar, "Walk in the Meekness of My Spirit," BYU University Conference, Aug. 28, 2017
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

The definition of intelligence as "the application of knowledge for righteous purposes" is not what we normally associate with it; that might be what we more commonly call wisdom. But Elder Bednar gives a good explanation of the scriptural application of the term and how it relates to our learning and education. And the importance of "learning from experience" through our mortality is critical.

Intelligence and education can take many forms in our lives, and we should be careful in how we assume they relate and are manifest in others. There are some remarkably intelligent people who have very little education!

In any case, they key is that we should strive to grow in both intelligence and education, and we will find the Spirit can enhance our efforts in both directions.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President James E. Faust on the abundant life and continuing to learn

President James E. Faust (1920-2007) was called as a Seventy in 1976, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve in 1978. He served as a counselor to President Hinckley from 1995 until his death in 2007 at age 87.

"The Savior said, 'I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.' (John 10:10.) How is the abundant life to be obtained? The abundant life involves an endless search for knowledge, light, and truth....

"We gain knowledge from two sources. One is the divine and the other is secular. Rex E. Lee has referred to them as the 'rational process and the extrarational process.' (BYU Speeches 1981-82, p. 131.) We are all more familiar with the rational process that we learned in school and through lifelong study. The extrarational, or divine source, is less common. This source is, however, more sure. Both sources may be available to us. Fortunately, we do not have to choose one to the exclusion of the other. Brother Lee continues, 'We should feel equally at home in the academy and in the temple. We should regard each as a center of learning.' (Speeches, p. 132.)

"We are apparently part of an expanding universe. Secular knowledge is expanding very rapidly. Our knowledge of gospel truth is also expanding. Prophets continue to speak. Increased understanding of the scriptures is also possible. And so the opportunities for the abundant life increase as we pursue the quest for truth and knowledge."

- James E. Faust, "The Abundant Life," General Conference, October 1985
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

The Savior taught that through Him and His mission, we might have a more abundant life. The word "might" implies that the result is not guaranteed, but only obtained when proper conditions are met. President Faust teaches that we find that abundant life when we continue to "search for knowledge, light, and truth.." Becoming stagnant in the learning process means a loss of progress and richness.

The second great truth is that we should learn both temporally and spiritually, symbolically "in the academy and in the temple." Or, in the language of the Lord, "seek learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118).

There is so much to learn! Temporal knowledge is expanding dramatically as our understanding of the world, the universe, science, life, etc. grows continually. And President Faust teaches that our spiritual opportunities are growing equally as there is an increase of light and understanding being offered to us through today's teachings and technologies. As we apply ourselves to take advantage of all these opportunities, we will truly discover "the abundant life"!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President Harold B. Lee on continuing to learn throughout life

President Harold B. Lee (1899-1973) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1941. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1970-1972, then as Church president from July 1972 until his passing less than 18 months later in December 1973.

"I read recently from a column in the Washington Post, by George Moore.... In this article he said, 'I have spent the last twenty years of my life at Mount Vernon reducing my ignorance.' He claimed that a person never learns anything until he realizes how little he knows. In this article he makes this most illuminating observation about George Washington:

"'Washington never went to school. That's why he was an educated man, he never quit learning.'

"What George Moore said of himself I suppose could be said of many of you and of myself: 'I have spent more than three score years of my life reducing my ignorance.'

"Therein, it is my conviction, is the challenge to all who achieve distinction in any field. Some quit learning when they graduate from a school; some quit learning about the gospel when they have completed a mission for the Church; some quit learning when they become an executive or have a prominent position in or out of the Church.

"Remember, as George Moore said of Washington, 'We can become educated persons, regardless of our stations in life, if we never quit learning.'"

- Harold B. Lee, "The Iron Rod," General Conference, April 1971
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

The warning of Nephi comes to mind: "When they are learned they think they are wise..." (2 Ne 9:28). The wise understand that as they gain learning, they have so much left to learn, and that as President Lee points out, " a person never learns anything until he realizes how little he knows."

Our goal should be to never cease learning; to continue to "reduce our ignorance." For those of us "getting on in life" it would be good to evaluate periodically how we are responding to this charge! Are we truly growing in knowledge and wisdom? Are we reading, studying, stretching, seeking new settings and opportunities? What efforts are we making to ensure that happens in our lives?

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

President Howard W. Hunter on simple faith and obedience

President Howard W. Hunter (1907-1995) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1959.  He served as Church President from June 5, 1994 to his death on March 3, 1995.

"I think there is no more beautiful story in all of history than the simple, sweet story of the lad who went into the woods near his home, kneeling in prayer and receiving heavenly visitors.

"Now we look into his life and into his works. Many have pried into them to find the mystery of it all behind the written word, but there is no mystery.... There was a simple faith, the faith of a young boy who was to be trained in the things that pertained to God. And as time went by, this young man, without scholarly achievements and without education, was educated by the Lord for the things which should come.

"Now we have been given intelligence and a mind. We only need to train and cultivate it as the Lord instructed Joseph and have a simple faith as he had and be willing to follow simple instructions. When we do so and follow the path that [the Lord] would have us follow and learn the lessons that He would have us learn, we find that our lives are purged of all things which are contrary to the purposes of God, and so it was with Joseph. He came to be a man nearer perfection, for he had cleansed his soul and his mind and lived close to the Lord and could talk with Him and hear Him speak the things which he has left for us through his revelations. Through his spiritual eyes he has been able to see that which has passed and that which lies ahead, and we have had proof of the truthfulness of that which he has seen."

- Howard W. Hunter, "Joseph Smith the Seer," in The Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermons, 2 vols. (1966), 2:197–98

President Hunter summarizes the miracle of Joseph Smith's achievements this way: "There was a simple faith." The Lord was able to build on that faith over time to make him into a wonderful tool to achieve great things.

The basic tools of what made Joseph great are also in each of us: "intelligence and a mind" that can be trained along with that simple faith. As we learn to consistently "follow simple instructions" then we know we will be on the path the Lord would have us follow. In doing so, the things of the world fall away; "our lives are purged of all things which are contrary to the purposes of God." That's what happened to Joseph, and that's what can happen to us.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)

Elder David A. Bednar on our commitment to education and learning

Elder David A. Bednar (born June 15, 1952) was serving as the president of BYU–Idaho when he was called and sustained as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2004.

"A hierarchy of importance exists among the things you and I can learn. Indeed, all learning is not equally important. The Apostle Paul taught this truth in his second epistle to Timothy as he warned that in the latter days many people would be 'ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth' (2 Timothy 3:7).

"Some facts are helpful or interesting to know. Some knowledge is useful to learn and apply. But gospel truths are essential for us to understand and live if we are to become what our Heavenly Father yearns for us to become. The type of learning I am attempting to describe is not merely the accumulation of data and facts and frameworks; rather, it is acquiring and applying knowledge for righteousness.

"The revelations teach us that 'the glory of God is intelligence' (D&C 93:36). We typically may think the word intelligence in this scripture denotes innate cognitive ability or a particular gift for academic work. In this verse, however, one of the meanings of intelligence is the application of the knowledge we obtain for righteous purposes. As President David O. McKay taught, the learning 'for which the Church stands... is the application of knowledge to the development of a noble and Godlike character' (David O. McKay, 'True Education,' Improvement Era, March 1957, 141).

"You and I are here upon the earth to prepare for eternity, to learn how to learn, to learn things that are temporally important and eternally essential, and to assist others in learning wisdom and truth (see D&C 97:1). Understanding who we are, where we came from, and why we are upon the earth places upon each of us a great responsibility both to learn how to learn and to learn to love learning."

- David A. Bednar, "Learning to Love Learning," BYU Commencement address, Apr. 24, 2008
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Addressing graduating students at BYU, Elder Bednar gave instruction and encouragement about the importance of an ongoing commitment to learning. He first discussed the role learning plays in the gospel of Jesus Christ; there is a great emphasis on seeking, asking, studying, and growing in intelligence. But it's important to know that all learning is not of equal value or importance:

The key to this type of learning is that it involves "acquiring and applying knowledge for righteousness" or "the application of the knowledge we obtain for righteous purposes." The very purpose of our mortal experience includes the opportunity and responsibility "to learn things that are temporally important and eternally essential." We must catch that vision and become devoted to it!

The rest of Elder Bednar's talk discusses other aspects of learning: how it is vital to our personal and spiritual development, and the critical nature of ongoing learning in the world we live and work in. It is good counsel, worth reviewing.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)