(Wisdom and Understanding)
By: Amy Mann
“One of the great challenges facing us today is to develop sufficient wisdom, understanding, and inner strength so that we can live happily and successfully in our complex and difficult world and not be caught up in the mad scramble for the material things and pleasures.”(1) Wisdom and understanding come through the Spirit and grant access to strength, happiness, and aid in making better choices. Without knowledge there can be no wisdom. “In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found…”(2) Separately, these attributes are useless. However, when wisdom and understanding are used together, therein lies power and therein we can become rich!
Wisdom and understanding are gifts of the Spirit. “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord…” (3) Where there is truth, the Spirit is there witnessing to our Spirits the truthfulness of it, that is how we gain understanding. “By the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened and our understandings were enlightened, so as to see and understand the things of God—“(4) For instance, in order to gain a testimony, or in fact, in order to come to an understanding of anything, the Spirit needs to be there to testify. As one strives to gain that understanding, they will have the Spirit to grant them understanding and in turn wisdom.
When we have gained wisdom and understanding through the Spirit, we can then have strength and happiness. “Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.” (5) In gaining understanding, one can gain strength in whatever it is they’re lacking because they will understand how to overcome that weakness and in turn become stronger. For instance, when I was 14 years old I didn’t have a strong testimony of modesty. I didn’t understand it; I didn’t really live by the Prophet’s counsel. Sometime in church, the Spirit testified the truthfulness of it to me and I began to understand why we’re given that counsel. I then had the strength to change my behavior and have dressed very modestly ever since. Also, happiness can come from gaining wisdom because of the peace that is felt and because of the increased ability gained to find the good in life. “Happy is the man who has wisdom and understanding.”(6) Also, “He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.”(7) I know I feel happier when I’m being positive and can find the good in things. Having wisdom and understanding allows me to do so.
The Spirit can help us to apply that understanding in making choices, and that is how we use wisdom. The Spirit of wisdom and understanding “shall make him of quick understanding…and he shall not judge after the sight of his own eyes…but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth…and righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins…”(8) The understanding that we come to helps us make decisions with a wiser mind and with the light of the Spirit that we may begin to This proves that wisdom and understanding truly are Spiritual gifts that can help in making more righteous decisions.
“Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.”(9) As we strive for wisdom and understanding we will be made rich with the Spirit, rich in strength, rich in happiness, in power, and in the ability to make those choices that will in turn make us more rich. I would exhort anyone who is lost, sad, or unsure to seek out wisdom and understanding and they will in turn be found, happy, and sure; rich.
1-Franklin D. Richards, “‘Seek Not for Riches But for Wisdom’,” Ensign, May 1976, 35
2-Proverbs 10:13
3-2Nephi 21:2
4-D&C 76:12
5-Proverbs 8:14
6-Proverbs 3:13
7-Proverbs 19:8
8-2Nephi21:3-5
9-D&C 6:7
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8 comments:
Amy, I like the way you connect the beginning and end of your blog with the "richness" idea. Try to ensure each paragraph has an original main idea.
Your testimony was very touching. Thank you so much for sharing it. I also loved how your blog seemed to flow so nicely-it made it for such an easy read and made it so that the reader can really focus on the spiritual aspects of your blog.
Amy,
I loved your emphasis upon gaining knowlegde and realizing the value of wisdom and knowlegde in our earthly lives and also in the lives of our post mortal beings.
It is so true that wisdom helps us to find happiness in things. You have such a nice writing style and I so enjoyed reading your blog.
I really like how shared using wisdom through the spirit. That is such a good concept. I also appreciated your testimony. Thank you!
I really enjoyed your blog and the testimony you included in it. Wisdom truly is valuable, as is the way we grow when we work to gain it.
P.S. You're fantastic!!
Amy I really liked how you said in order to come to an understanding of anything, the Spirit needs to be there to testify. Not just for our testimony but for secular knowledge as well. Great job!
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