Thoughts from "Increase in Learning" by David A. Bednar--Part 2

This is the second post in a four part series about highlights from Elder David A. Bednar’s book “Increase in Learning” published by Deseret Book. This is the shortest of the four parts.

I will hopefully be coming out with some more posts soon about some book reviews and possibly in some scholarly studies and, if I get daring enough, to introduce some theological ideas that I have found helpful and insightful as I have recently been studying about the view of God, particularly in regards to Trinitarianism in various forms, from other religions and how it has helped me understand other Christian faiths. Be patient with me as WRITING about the more scholarly, analytical, historical and theological side of faith is a new challenge I am taking on.

Chapter 2: Knowledge, Understanding and Intelligence

"Ultimately, the Savior is interested not just in what we know but in spiritual intelligence--in how we apply what we know for righteous purposes."--P.74

This is phrased very astutely. Elder Bednar defines a term not used very often, “spiritual intelligence” as being “how we apply what we know for righteous purposes.” This puts it in a category above “spiritual knowledge” or “spiritual information”. From this quote, we can see that the Savior IS interested in what we know, but that it is not sufficient to just KNOW things. He wants to see them applied and lived out in our lives, day to day, week to week, month to month, year to year and into the eternities. He wants to see us become like Him and increasing in spiritual knowledge and applying it is a crucial part of how to approach this.

"Intelligence is living in such a way that the doctrines of the Church are active in us--an active and integral part of who we are, and what we are, and what we do, and what we think."--P.75

It seems like this quote should almost appear before the previous quote in Elder Bednar’s book, but it doesn’t. This is a very straight forward reminder that we are to study and live the doctrines of the church. As a slight aside, we need to search, ponder and pray so that we may be assured that our studies of the doctrines of the Gospel will deepen our understanding and expand our soul, but challenge us to learn by study and also by faith.