What We Do and What We Know

In Gospel Doctrine yesterday we discussed the fact that there is no necessary relationship between what we know about the gospel and how we act. In general we would hope that as we come to know the truths of the gospel and the words of the scriptures and the teachings of the Savior we would be led to live better lives, but this is not always the case. As Elder Bednar once put it, “What we know is not always reflected in what we do.” While gaining knowledge is certainly of great importance in this life—"It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance”—what we do with that knowledge and how we act is of far greater importance (Doctrine and Covenants 131:6). Jacob spoke about the uselessness of knowledge if we do not keep the commandments of the Lord: “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.” He continued by saying that “to be learned is good” only if we “hearken unto the counsels of God” (2 Nephi 9:28-29). Paul also spoke about the potential inefficacy of knowledge in these words: “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2). Even if we had “all knowledge” and understood all things, it would not save us if we did not change our hearts and learn to love as He does.

                This understanding should help shape our priorities in life as we realize that personal achievement in knowledge and worldly success is not as important as learning to love and keep the commandments of the Lord. Interestingly, the same small section in the Doctrine and Covenants the tells us that we cannot be saved in ignorance also highlights something we must do to receive all that the Father has (and I recognize that the verse itself is given in the context of knowing specifically that we will be saved, but it is also used by the prophets and apostles to highlight our need for knowledge of the gospel in general to be saved). We read, “In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; And if he does not, he cannot obtain it” (Doctrine and Covenants 131:1-3). In other words, if we are not sealed to our spouse in an everlasting covenants, we cannot obtain all the blessings the Father has for us. We must not just perform this act but we must develop a relationship based on love and service that is worthy to be truly sealed forever. Surely if there is not real love and commitment and deep connection in our marriage it will not be fit to be sealed forever in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom. So while we can’t be ignorant to be saved, neither can we receive all the blessings of the Savior if we don’t bind ourselves to the Lord and our spouse in righteous living. Moroni put it this way as he prayed to the Lord: “And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father” (Ether 12:34). Our highest aim in this life should not be knowledge but love, the kind of love that impels us to keep His commandments, bless His children, bind ourselves to our families, and serve Him with all our hearts. That is the great commandment and the great mission for us here on this earth: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind…. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37,39).