List of Doctrines on "Wisdom"
872. We are to be diligent, yet we should not run faster or labor more than we have strength and means.
873. True wisdom comes from the inspiration of God (divine inspiration is greater than earthly experience, no matter how extensive that may be).
874. The Lord selects teachable persons to do His work; He chooses those whom the world calls weak and foolish more frequently than those whom the world calls wise.
875. The worldly wise, who will not humble themselves before God, will never enjoy eternal happiness.
872. We are to be diligent, yet we should not run faster or labor more than we have strength and means.
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Alma, the younger
King Benjamin
Related Witnesses
Alma, the younger
Joseph Smith
Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means to enable you to translate; but be diligent unto the end. (Revelation received at Harmony, Pennsylvania, summer of 1828) D&C 10:4
Joseph Smith
And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care. (Revelation for Joseph Knight, Sen., May 1829) D&C 12:8
Alma, the younger,
quoted by Mormon
quoted by Mormon
And now, as ye have begun to teach the word even so I would that ye should continue to teach; and I would that ye would be diligent and temperate in all things.
11. See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength.
12. Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness. (Alma to his son Shiblon) Alma 38:10-12
King Benjamin,
quoted by Mormon
quoted by Mormon
And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order. (King Benjamin addresses his people, about 124 B.C.) Mosiah 4:27
Related Witnesses:
Alma, the younger,
quoted by Mormon
quoted by Mormon
And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive. (Alma preaches to the people in Gideon, about 83 B.C.) Alma 7:23
Author's Note: Dictionary definition of temperate: "Mark ed by moderation: keeping or existing in the middle ground between extremes. Moderate in indulging appetite or desire." (Webster's Third International Dictionary, p. 232)
873. True wisdom comes from the inspiration of God (divine inspiration is greater than earthly experience, no matter how extensive that may be).
Recorded in Job
President Joseph F. Smith
Erastus Snow
Recorded in Proverbs
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
Related Witnesses
Recorded in Proverbs
James
Recorded in Proverbs
Jacob, brother of Nephi
Paul
Recorded in Job
I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. (Elihu, admittedly a younger man than they, censures Job and his three friends) Job 32:7-9
President Joseph F. Smith
I believe that the Lord has revealed to the children of men all that they know. I do not believe that any man has discovered any principle in science, or art, in mechanism, or mathematics, or anything else, that God did not know before he did. Man is indebted to the source of all intelligence and truth, for the knowledge that he possesses; and all who will yield obedience to the promptings of the Spirit . . . will get a clearer, a more expansive, and a more direct and conclusive knowledge of God's truths than anyone else can do. CR1902Apr:85-86
Erastus Snow
The foundation of all true education is the wisdom and knowledge of God. (In Tabernacle, Oct. 8, 1867, JD12:178) TLDP:149
Recorded in Proverbs
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
Thus God made clear that the gaining of knowledge is not to be like the commonplace work of earning a living. He who invades the domain of knowledge must approach it as Moses came to the burning bush; he stands on holy ground; he would acquire things sacred; he seeks to make his own the attributes of Deity, the truth which Christ declared he was (John 14:6), and which shall make us free (John 8:32), free of the shackles of time and space, which shall be no more. We must come to this quest of truth—in all regions of human knowledge whatsoever—not only in reverence, but with a spirit of worship.
In all his promises and commandments about gaining knowledge, the Lord has never withheld from our quest any field of truth. Our knowledge is to be coterminous with the universe and is to reach out and to comprehend the laws and the workings of the deeps of the eternities. All domains of all knowledge belong to us. In no other way could the great law of eternal progression be satisfied. (Charge to President Howard S. McDonald at his inauguration as president of Brigham Young University, Nov. 14, 1945, delivered by J. Reuben Clark, Jr., in behalf of the First Presidency, IE1946Jan:60-63) MOFP6:231-32
Related Witnesses:
Recorded in Proverbs
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7
James
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. (Letter to his brethren in the Church) James 1:5
Recorded in Proverbs
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7
Jacob, brother of Nephi,
quoted by Nephi
quoted by Nephi
But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. (Jacob teaches the people of Nephi, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 9:29
Paul
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (Paul writes to his assistant Timothy describing apostasy in the last days, about A.D. 64) 2 Timothy 3:7
874. The Lord selects teachable persons to do His work; He chooses those whom the world calls weak and foolish more frequently than those whom the world calls wise.
Paul
President Brigham Young
Jacob, brother of Nephi
President Wilford Woodruff
Related Witnesses
Paul
Jacob, brother of Nephi
Paul
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (Paul writes to the Church at Corinth, Greece, about A.D. 55) 1 Corinthians 1:26-27
President Brigham Young,
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
This people are mostly gathered from what are termed the laboring and middle classes. We have not gathered into this Church men that are by the world esteemed profound in their principles, ideas, and judgment. We have none in this Church that are called by them expert statesmen. How frequently it is cast at the Elders, when they are abroad preaching, that Joseph Smith, the founder of their Church and religion, was only a poor illiterate boy. That used to be advanced as one of the strongest arguments that could be produced against the doctrine of salvation, by the wise and learned of this world, though it is no argument at all. The Lord should have revealed himself to some of the learned priests or talented men of the age, say they, who could have done some good and borne off the Gospel by their influence and learning, and not to a poor, ignorant, unlettered youth. Not many wise, not many mighty, not many noble, speaking after the manner of men, are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty; and base things of the world—things which are despised by the world, hath God in his wisdom chosen; yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are, that no flesh should glory in his presence. (In Tabernacle, Nov. 22, 1857, JD6:70) DBY:321-22
Jacob, brother of Nephi,
quoted by Nephi
quoted by Nephi
And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.
43. But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints. (Jacob to the people of Nephi, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 9:42-43
President Wilford Woodruff
The Lord has chosen the weak things of the world to lead this people. Joseph Smith was but a young man when he died—not forty years of age. He lived nearly fourteen years after the organization of this Church. President Brigham Young followed him. Who was Brigham Young? He was a painter and glazier. He was a humble man. But the Lord called him to lead this people. You know what he has done, and the spirit that was with him. The Lord was with him, and he continued to lead this people by the power of God and by the revelation of Jesus Christ. He laid the foundation of a great work in these mountains of Israel. Many strangers who have recently visited us have marveled and wondered at Salt Lake City being laid out in the manner it was. . . . What was John Taylor? He was a wood turner, and he led the Church for quite a time. Wilford Woodruff was a miller and a farmer; that was about the highest ambition he ever arrived at as far as this world was concerned. That is about the way the Lord has chosen these men. Why did he not choose these learned and great men? As I have often said, he could not handle them. God has always chosen the weak things of the earth. (Millennial Star, 1891; The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, pp. 86-87) TLDP:294
Related Witnesses:
Paul
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (Letter to his assistant Timothy, about A.D. 64) 2 Timothy 3:7
Jacob, brother of Nephi,
quoted by Nephi
quoted by Nephi
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.
29. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. (Jacob teaches the people of Nephi, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 9:28-29
875. The worldly wise, who will not humble themselves before God, will never enjoy eternal happiness.
Joseph Smith
Jacob, brother of Nephi
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
President Brigham Young
Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards
Related Witnesses
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
Howard W. Hunter
Recorded in Job
Jacob, brother of Nephi
Paul
Recorded in Proverbs
Jacob, brother of Nephi
Joseph Smith,
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
There are a great many wise men and women too in our midst who are too wise to be taught; therefore they must die in their ignorance, and in the resurrection they will find their mistake. (At the Stand in Nauvoo, Ill., June 11,1843) TPJS:309
Jacob, brother of Nephi,
quoted by Nephi
quoted by Nephi
And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.
43. But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints. (Jacob to the people of Nephi, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 9:42-43
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
Now I say it boldly, all the knowledge that a man can gain in this world or beyond this world, independent of the spirit of God, the inspiration of the Almighty, will not lead him to a fulness, and in defense of that I am going to read to you from section ninety-three of the Doctrine and Covenants: [verses 20-28 are quoted].
So with all our boasting, with all our understanding, with all the knowledge that we possess, let me say that this great knowledge that has been poured out upon man, and all that is truth has come from God, but with it all unless we humble ourselves and put ourselves in harmony with his truth and seek for the light which comes through the Spirit of truth, which is Jesus Christ, we will never gain a fulness of knowledge.
I realize that it must eventually come to pass in the case of those who gain the exaltation and become sons of God, that they must in the eternities reach the time when they will know all things. They must know mathematics; they must know all the principles of science; they must be prepared in all things, by learning, by study, by faith, to comprehend these principles of eternal truth, even as our Father in heaven comprehends them, and unless men will put themselves in harmony with him and his Spirit and seek the light which comes through that Spirit they never will reach the goal of perfection in these things. It is, however, knowledge of the principles of the Gospel that will save men in the Kingdom of God. CR1939Apr:102-03
President Brigham Young,
Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards
(First Presidency)
If men would be great in goodness, they must be intelligent, for no man can do good unless he knows how; therefore seek after knowledge, all knowledge, and especially that which is from above, which is wisdom to direct in all things, and if you find any thing that God does not know, you need not learn that thing; but strive to know what God knows, and use that knowledge as God uses it, and then you will be like him; will see as you are seen, and know as you are known; and have charity, love one another, and do each other good continually, and for ever, even as for yourselves.
But if a man have all knowledge, and does not use it for good, it will prove a curse instead of a blessing as it did to Lucifer, the Son of the Morning. If a sinner is advised to repent, and be baptized for remission of his sins, and does it not, it will prove to his condemnation instead of a blessing, and he cannot receive the laying on of the hands of the Elders for the reception of the Holy Ghost. ("Sixth General Epistle of the Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," Millennial Star, Jan. 15, 1852, p. 22) TLDP:341
Related Witnesses:
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
God and his program will be found only in deep pondering, appropriate reading, much kneeling in devout, humble prayer, and in a sincerity born of need and dependence.
These requirements having been fully met, there is no soul between the poles nor from ocean to ocean who may not positively obtain this knowledge, this hidden treasure of knowledge, this saving and exalting knowledge. . . .
The ultimate and greatest of all knowledge, then, is to know God and his program for our exaltation. We may know him by sight, by sound, by feeling. While relatively few ever do really know him, everyone may know him. . . . CR1968Oct:130
Howard W. Hunter
As important as scientific research may be, the greatest quest is a search for God—to determine his reality, his personal attributes, and to secure a knowledge of the gospel of his Son Jesus Christ. It is not easy to find a perfect understanding of God. The search requires persistent effort, and there are some who never move themselves to pursue this knowledge. CR1974Oct:138
Recorded in Job
Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. Job 32:9
Jacob, brother of Nephi,
quoted by Nephi
quoted by Nephi
But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. (Jacob teaches the people of Nephi, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 9:29
Paul
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (Letter to his assistant Timothy, about A.D. 64) 2 Timothy 3:7
Recorded in Proverbs
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7
Jacob, brother of Nephi
Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works. (Jacob makes his record on plates of metal, 544-421 B.C.) Jacob 4:10
