More Learning than Sense
Posted by Wade on January 11th, 2006
While reading Rough Stone Rolling, I came across an episode in Church history that I was unaware of: apparently just before the Book of Commandments (the first DC) was published, a rather large group of what I am going to call intellectuals, for lack of a better word, heavily criticized the Prophet’s vocabulary, grammer, and style that he used in recording the revelations. The prophet’s rather “rough” language bothered these highly educated men/leaders in the Church (they were primarily William McLellin, Sydney Rigdon, and Oliver Cowdry) and they proposed to make corrections before publication. The prophet was perturbed by this, so he challenged any one of them to offer a revelation of their own to see if they could even replicate his - let alone best him as the prophet. Well, McLellin made an attempt but soon gave up and then the group of worldy intellectuals voted for final publication. Referring to this episode in his history, the Prophet said that McLellin’s problem was that he had “more learning than sense”.
I believe that this problem, having more learning than sense, is still quite an issue in the Church and especially the world. It is the reason, I think, why so many pseudo intellectual members of the Church end up leaving it - thinking they know better than Church leaders because they (the intellectuals) are smarter (which in fact they probably are). It is why the “conflicted testimony” is so common and so popular. And, after spending close to 7 years in so-called “higher education”, I have come to the conclusion that worldly learning for the most part is utter trash! I tire of listening to self-important people spout off their latest theory/opinion about the world. Why? Because virtually none of them are grounded in eternal verity. They begin with the premise that learning comes from researching the works of other pseudo intellectuals and then pain-stakingly spinning a different slant to these works and producing more trash. Also, what’s worse, they claim to be scholars seeking understanding and open to ideas, but it is quite the opposite: Most are closed to anything referring to natural right, traditional values, and ancient texts. In sum, they have more learning than sense and thus they know nothing of importance.
Alma put it well when he said:
“It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word…until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell” (Alma 12:9-11).
So, how do we avoid obtaining more learning than sense and what does it mean to harden our hearts?
I don’t know about all that stuff you said.. but that picture is rad,
Comment # 1 left by Ryan on January 11th, 2006
Yes, I should not have published the post so soon…my idea is somewhat esoteric in this post because I rushed it. The picture is supposed to reflect the mysteriousness of God and the foolishness of men’s learning. Thus, to have more learning than sense is to ignore God’s mystery and thereby be bound by the chains of hell as Alma put it.
The photo was taken by the Hubble Telescope - I thought it was “rad” as well!
Comment # 2 left by Wade on January 11th, 2006
I think your thoughts are right on. I completely agree that some or perhaps most scholars are just recycling the trash.
Also, I know individuals who have taken themselves out of the church because their intellect. Either thinking they know better than church leaders or reasoned there testimony away. Knowledge is great and so is learning. Maybe it can be too much of a good thing. I’m not sure. I’ll ponder it over.
Comment # 3 left by Tyler on January 12th, 2006
Knowledge is great and so is learning. Maybe it can be too much of a good thing. I’m not sure. I’ll ponder it over.
Indeed, there is a great talk by President Packer about this wherein he said: “It is an easy thing for a man with extensive academic training to measure the Church using the principles he has been taught in his professional training as his standard. In my mind it ought to be the other way around. A member of the Church ought always, particularly if he is pursuing extensive academic studies, to judge the professions of man against the revealed word of the Lord.” (See The Mantle is Far, Far greater than the Intellect, CES Symposium 1981).
Comment # 4 left by Wade on January 13th, 2006
This reminds me of the quote, Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. Implying, of course that the tool is not the source of evil but rather the one who wields it determines to what uses it will be put. This argument can be applied to the amount of knowledge Christ possesses versus the amount of knowledge Lucifer does. In both cases these men wield immeasurable amounts of knowledge as a tool to bring about salvation or destruction.
So, how do we avoid obtaining more learning than sense
I would guess then, that the solution to this may lie in determining, as you learn, to what end you intend to use the knowledge, that is, what is your purpose for gaining knowledge. I would theorize that Lucifer’s purpose in all his learning was to get power and the praise of men. Christ’s purpose was to better understand his role in the plan of salvation and how it might better be fulfilled.
Honestly, I admit that a portion of me likes to study for prideful reasons. I like to be able to give memorable lessons and talks with obscure facts and controversial doctrines not entirely, but in part, because I enjoy being known as a good teacher or speaker. So that’s something I know I need to work on.
Comment # 5 left by Ryan on January 18th, 2006
Honestly, I admit that a portion of me likes to study for prideful reasons.
I can honestly admit the same fault! In fact, when I am perfectly honest, virtually the whole purpose for going to graduate school (and undergraduate school for that matter) is for prideful reasons. I believe I have the skills to make a living just like Christ did (being a carpenter), and having a full life. Yet, it is my desire to rise above the next guy in terms of: my home, my car, my clothes, my knowledge, and ultimately my image etc. Of course I can explain away all of my selfishness by saying I can be a much greater asset to the Lord if my job enables me to be more independent, but it’s just that - explaining it away.
So, you’re right! It’s all about our motives for gaining knowledge. Furthermore, the issue is being able to introspect and ask one’s self the questions of motive that will keep us from gaining more learning than sense. Sense, in the way the Prophet meant it equates with wisdom and not worldy learning. Wisdom is the ability to use one’s knowledge for good. One can only do this if he or she constantly is introspecting.
Comment # 6 left by Wade on January 18th, 2006