Here the “Tiers of Authority” in our search for Truth, as I understand them:
Authoritative, Top-Down Learning:
– Holy Ghost, understood correctly
– Prophets and Apostles, “over the pulpit”
– Scriptures
Semi-Authoritative—human opinion can creep in:
– Church Education
– Church College Professors
– Deseret Book Publications
– Apocrypha
Logical Analysis:
– Personal Experience
– Human theory
Interesting:
– All are subject to possible personal error, or opinions of the speaker/writer.
No Authority:
– Emotion, Opinion, Speculation—just ask more questions
USE A “MAYBE BOX” AND KEEP STUDYING:
French philosopher Simone Vey/Weil says:
All wrong translations, all absurdities in geometry problems, all clumsiness of style, and all faulty connection of ideas, all such things are due to the fact that thought has seized upon some idea too hastily and, being thus prematurely blocked, is not open to truth. (from Waiting on God, Reflections on the Right Use of School Studies with a View to the Love of God, Simone Weil, 1950)
Also:
There is nothing that comes closer to true humility than the intelligence. It is impossible to feel pride in one’s intelligence at the moment when one really and truly exercises it. (https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Simone_Weil)
PITFALLS IN THE LEARNING PROCESS:
Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration:
It is not very essential for the elders to have knowledge in relation to the meaning of beasts, and heads and horns, and other figures made use of in the revelations; still, it may be necessary, to prevent contention and division and do away with suspense.
If we get PUFFED UP by thinking that we have much knowledge, we are apt to get a contentious spirit, and correct knowledge is necessary to cast out that spirit. (TPJS, P. 287)
D&C 88:118:
And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even BY STUDY and also BY FAITH.
LET’S SHARE IDEAS:
– Set aside pride and see ideas as “things” and not “personal pets.”
– Become “as a little child” and play with ideas. (Matthew 18:3)
– Get in the “sandpile” and collaborate with other students.
– Develop a thick skin and don’t take offense when your ideas are questioned, even challenged vigorously.
– Remember: It’s not WHO’S right, but WHAT’S right.
– Give the glory to God because all truth comes from Him.
– Stay a “little child” and resist the temptation to become “puffed up” in pride.
FAITHFUL vs “CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN”:
Elder Bruce R. McConkie on who will be at Adam-ondi-Ahman:
. . . before all these, there is to be a secret appearance to SELECTED members of his Church. He will come in private to his prophet and to the apostles then living. Those who have held keys and powers and authorities in all ages from Adam to the present will also be present.
And further, all the FAITHFUL members of the Church then living and all the faithful saints of all the ages past will be present. It will be the greatest congregation of faithful saints ever assembled on planet earth. And it will take place in Daviess County, Missouri, at a place called Adam-ondi-Ahman. (From: The Millennial Messiah (pp. 578–79)
CHALLENGE: “No, it’s not only being FAITHFUL, but we’ll need to be in the Church of the Firstborn.“
THE RESOLUTION:
D&C 93: 11–13, 18–20, 22:
11 And I, John, bear record that I beheld his glory, as the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, even the Spirit of truth, which came and dwelt in the flesh, and dwelt among us.
12 And I, John, saw that he received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace;
13 And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;
18 And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John.
19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.
20 For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.
22 And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN. (EMPHASIS added)
LEARN BY FAITH: KNOWLEDGE IS “ONE GREAT WHOLE”:
Elder Dallin H. Oaks (Always Have His Spirit, Conference, Oct 1996):
To repeat, the Light of Christ is given to all men and women that they may know good from evil; manifestations of the Holy Ghost are given to lead sincere seekers to gospel truths that will persuade them to repentance and baptism.
The GIFT of the Holy Ghost is more comprehensive. The Prophet Joseph Smith explained: “There is a difference between the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Elder and Sister Neil L. Andersen:
The Mormon view of truth is grounded in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, but that doesn’t mean truth is limited to the Mormon experience. As Elder D. Todd Christofferson said, “Truth is scattered liberally across the globe.” And it was Joseph Smith who encouraged us to “get all the good in the world” and to “receive truth, let it come from whence it may.”
Truth has many aspects — spiritual, physical, philosophical, historical — and in the end they all fit together into one great whole. (Worldwide Devotional, 13 Oct 2017)
Brigham Young:
It’s OK to think far out—just be sure you can think your way back!
Find the center of all truth—It’s bigger than we are!