When the wisdom of the world disputes the wisdom of God.
[The following excerpts are from an article by Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The article is titled "Reverence for God Is the Beginning of Wisdom" and is found in the January 2013 issue of the Ensign. All italics and bracketed comments are in the original.] --
The wisdom of the world, while in many cases very valuable, is most valuable when it humbly bows to the wisdom of God.
The scriptures describe two types of wisdom: the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. The wisdom of the world ... is consciously acquired through study, reflection, observation, and hard work. It is very valuable and helpful in the things we do. To good and decent people, it comes as we experience our mortality.
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The wisdom that brings success in the world must be willing to step behind the wisdom of God and not think that it can substitute for it.
Remember: all wisdom is not created equal.
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Our Heavenly Father “has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth” (Mosiah 4:9).
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This wisdom, at times, will be opposite the wisdom of the world, meaning the wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world will come in direct conflict one with another.
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The source of the wisdom of God is different from that of the world. The wisdom of God is found in the scriptures, in the teachings of the prophets (such as during general conference), and, of course, in our prayers (see D&C 8:1–2)
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Perhaps the most important point is that not all wisdom is created equal. We need to learn that when there is conflict between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God, we must yield our will to the wisdom of God.
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We who are devoted to learning the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God must not become confused with which wisdom is more important.
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“O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned [in the wisdom of the world] they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves [the wisdom of the world], wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
“But to be learned [in the wisdom of the world] is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God” (2 Nephi 9:28–29; emphasis added).
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The test is often whether we will allow the wisdom of God to be our guiding course when it moves opposite the wisdom of the world.
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Put the wisdom of God above the wisdom of the world.
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I suggest you take some of the issues facing you. Put a line down the middle of a piece of paper. List the wisdom of the world on the left side and the wisdom of God on the right side. Write the issues in conflict one with another.
What choices are you making?
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[The above excerpts are from an article by Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The article is titled "Reverence for God Is the Beginning of Wisdom" and is found in the January 2013 issue of the Ensign. All italics and bracketed comments are in the original.]
posted by R. Gary on 1/01/2013 04:23:00 PM
8 Comments:
According to current Church publications, the present order of nature began abruptly six thousand years ago when Adam's fall brought death into the world (see NDBF in LDS media). By contrast, today's science argues that death has been an essential part of nature for several billion years. Clearly, on this point the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God are in conflict. Should we not, in this matter, put the wisdom of God above the wisdom of the world?
So, we're YEC now?
Anonymous: The answer is, No. We (Mormons) are not YEC. Young Earth Creationists teach the earth was created out of nothing at the time of Adam.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, "The word create came from the word baurau which does not mean to create out of nothing; it means to organize; the same as a man would organize materials and build a ship." (Primary 6, Lesson 3.)
Because the matter God used to create the earth is ageless (D&C 93:33), present scientific estimates as to the age of material found in the earth's crust are naively low.
Did I miss something? Nothing you cited says the fall took place 6000 years ago. In fact, it seems to me the GAs have always steered clear of dating the fall.
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D&C 77:6.
Q. What are we to understand by the book which John saw, which was sealed on the back with seven seals?
A. We are to understand that it contains the revealed will, mysteries, and the works of God; the hidden things of his economy concerning this earth during the seven thousand years of its continuance, or its temporal existence.
D&C 77:7.
Q. What are we to understand by the seven seals with which it was sealed?
A. We are to understand that the first seal contains the things of the first thousand years, and the second also of the second thousand years, and so on until the seventh.
D&C 77:12.
Q. What are we to understand by the sounding of the trumpets, mentioned in the 8th chapter of Revelation?
A. We are to understand that as God made the world in six days, and on the seventh day he finished his work, and sanctified it, and also formed man out of the dust of the earth, even so, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years will the Lord God sanctify the earth, and complete the salvation of man, and judge all things, and shall redeem all things, except that which he hath not put into his power, when he shall have sealed all things, unto the end of all things; and the sounding of the trumpets of the seven angels are the preparing and finishing of his work, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years—the preparing of the way before the time of his coming.
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It seems to me the only thing the GAs have always steered of is contradicting the standard works.
Anonymous: The length of time that the earth existed prior to the Fall has not been revealed, but the scriptures clearly teach that "seven thousand years" is the length of time between the Fall of Adam and the end the Millennium. When and where has the Church taught otherwise?
R. Gary, please cite the church publications which state that the current order of nature began six thousand years ago. D&C 77 does not teach that. Yes, it teaches the seven thousand years from the Fall to the end of the Millennium, but where does it say that we are at the six thousand year mark?
Anonymous: "Where does it say that we are at the six thousand year mark?"
Here are a couple of examples: Thomas S. Monson in general conference, October 2011, and Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, Chapter 24, "Preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."
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