Wisdom by Chadd Johnson

“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.” (D&C 88:118.) Wisdom is not something that God gives for our own gain. He grants us wisdom to "teach on another words of wisdom." For those of us with "faith" we should seek wisdom to impart it upon others so that they too might have faith. This should be a major goal in life so that we may teach our children better and grow ourselves.

This verse also suggests that wisdom is not just learning, but also talents and such that benefit the church and others. Let me relate a story of my own that illustrates obtaining true wisdom. About a month ago I was called to be a Sunday School teacher. This was my first teaching assignment, and, needless to say, my first lesson did not go smoothly. The class was not involved at all and I felt like I had failed. After that I prayed that I could please learn to be a better teacher. Not knowing where to learn this I had faith and trusted my Heavenly Father to help me out. I was showing the faith mentioned in D&C 88:118. That next week was General Conference. Honestly I almost forgot my prayer until the Sunday afternoon session in which William D. Oswald gave a talk titled "Gospel Teaching- Our Most Important Calling." As soon as he started talking I knew he was talking to me. He had been directed to speak on that in answer to my prayer. I was so grateful and happy, but the Lord wasn't done yet. That next week my ward held a class on becoming a better teacher. Not only had my prayers been answered, they had been answered twice. It was so powerful to me to know that James was right when he said, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5.) If we want wisdom all we have to do is ask.

D&C 88 also mentioned study. What is it that we should be studying? President Thomas S. Monson said, "A study of the scriptures will help our testimonies and the testimonies of our family members. Our children today are growing up surrounded by voices urging them to abandon that which is right and to pursue, instead, the pleasures of the world. Unless they have a firm foundation in the gospel of Jesus Christ, a testimony of the truth, and a determination to live righteously, they are susceptible to these influences. It is our responsibility to fortify and protect them. To an alarming extent, our children today are being educated by the media, including the Internet. In the United States, it is reported that the average child watches approximately four hours of television daily, much of the programming being filled with violence, alcohol and drug use, and sexual content. Watching movies and playing video games is in addition to the four hours. And the statistics are much the same for other developed countries. The messages portrayed on television, in movies, and in other media are very often in direct opposition to that which we want our children to embrace and hold dear. It is our responsibility not only to teach them to be sound in spirit and doctrine but also to help them stay that way, regardless of the outside forces they may encounter. This will require much time and effort on our part—and in order to help others, we ourselves need the spiritual and moral courage to withstand the evil we see on every side." This is why we must study the scriptures. It acts as an armour against the evils of the world. If we don't study the scriptures we are just asking the adversary to tear us down. Not only should we be studying the scriptures, but President Monson continued, "Beyond our study of spiritual matters, secular learning is also essential. Often the future is unknown; therefore, it behooves us to prepare for uncertainties. Statistics reveal that at some time, because of the illness or death of a husband or because of economic necessity, you may find yourself in the role of financial provider. Some of you already occupy that role. I urge you to pursue your education—if you are not already doing so or have not done so—that you might be prepared to provide if circumstances necessitate such." Study so that we may protect ourselves and serve the Lord better.

The scriptures, however, seem to also be saying that wisdom and learning are bad. “O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish” (2 Nephi 9:28). Jacob says that wisdom is not bad in and of itself, but the problem arises when "they hearken not unto the counsel of God." Wisdom is not bad unless it is used for personal gain and credit is not given to God ( 2 Nephi 9:29.) Russel M. Nelson related the following story,

"Mankind’s unfamiliarity with the scriptures has sometimes brought sorrow to great numbers of people over long periods of time. The suffering that has resulted from such ignorance is truly tragic. May I illustrate with excerpts from history that pertain to the spread of infection.
In the nineteenth century, health officials and others were concerned about pollution of the air, not by visible smoggy hydrocarbons of today, but by an invisible miasma that was blamed for almost any infection. In 1867, for example, Lord Lister indicted bad air as the chief cause of infection. Because of that, in 1869 Simpson from Edinburgh urged that hospitals be taken down and rebuilt every few years. Such an extravagant practice was also advocated by other experts.
Even Florence Nightingale, a living legend following her heroic efforts in the Crimean War, failed to recognize the transmission of infection from one patient to another—this despite her careful notations that wound infection accounted for 40 percent of postoperative mortality. 7

"But others missed the connection, too. For centuries, lives of innumerable mothers and children were claimed by “childbirth fever”—infections unknowingly transmitted among the innocent by unwashed hands of attendants.

"It was only a short century ago that the great work of Koch, Pasteur, and others proved that infection could be caused by bacteria in contaminated body fluids—or infected issues—passed from one individual to another.

"With these highlights of history in mind, may I quote the word of the Lord recorded long ago in Leviticus, chapter fifteen:

" 'The Lord spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying,

" 'Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When any man hath a running issue out of his flesh, because of his issue he is unclean.

" 'And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue. …

" 'Every bed, whereon he lieth that hath the issue, is unclean: and every thing, whereon he sitteth, shall be unclean.

" 'And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water. …

" 'And he that toucheth the flesh of him that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water.” (Lev. 15:1–5, 7; emphasis added.)'

"Several verses follow which re-emphasize and illustrate those important principles. Then we read this conclusion:

" 'And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall … wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.” (Lev. 15:13.)'

Thus, our loving Heavenly Father had clearly revealed principles of clean technique in the handling of infected patients more than three thousand years ago! These scriptures are in complete harmony with modern medical guidelines. But during those many millennia, how many mothers needlessly perished? How many children suffered because man’s quest for knowledge had failed to incorporate the word of the Lord?"

Wisdom is so important to our lives. The Lord commands us to seek wisdom to be better teachers. He wants us to have faith and study to right stuff. If we as a people will become more wise and listen to God we will be blessed. He is not going to hold any righteous knowledge back if we will but ask.

Works Cited
D&C 88:118
James 1:5
Thomas S. Monson, “Three Goals to Guide You,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 118–21
2 Nephi 9:28-29
Russell M. Nelson, “Where Is Wisdom?,” Ensign, Nov 1992, 6