The Indefinite Period: Wrestling with Scripture's Mysteries

We often approach scripture with a desire for clarity, a yearning to map the divine will onto a neat and tidy framework. And rightly so; the Restoration provides unparalleled light and knowledge. Yet, what happens when the text itself resists such easy categorization? What do we do when our meticulous efforts to reconcile faith and reason encounter a linguistic anomaly that suggests… ambiguity?

The recent episode from Daily Dose of Wisdom (see below) explored precisely this, focusing on the Hebrew construction of Genesis 1:1. The opening declaration – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” – is grammatically distinct from the subsequent account of the six days of creation. The professor of Hebrew at Oxford, the professor at Cambridge, and even Jack Collins, the lead Hebrew translator for the ESV, concur: the initial statement refers to an “indefinite period before the second group.”

This isn't a contradiction; it’s an invitation. An invitation to recognize the limits of our comprehension, to acknowledge that the mind of God, as expressed in His word, often operates on a plane beyond our immediate grasp. It resonates with the Prophet Joseph Smith’s counsel to “learn of [God] in your own mind,” (D&C 90:15) a process that inherently involves wrestling with complexities and embracing the discomfort of unanswered questions.

Think of the Book of Abraham. Years of scholarly debate have swirled around its translation, and some have attempted to dismiss it based on perceived discrepancies. Yet, the Spirit testifies of its truth, and the Brethren have consistently affirmed its divine origin. To demand a perfectly linear, easily digestible explanation is to misunderstand the very nature of revelation, which often unfolds gradually and requires faith to embrace.

This principle applies beyond textual analysis. Consider the mysteries surrounding the temple ordinances, the intricacies of the priesthood, or the profound depths of the Atonement. We are given glimpses, profound truths that illuminate our path, but the full scope remains veiled. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf testified of this very thing in General Conference, urging us to “find joy in the mystery.” (October 2023 General Conference)

The iron rod, Moroni 10:34, isn’t simply a physical object; it’s a symbol of the word of God, holding fast to which allows us to proceed through the depths of darkness. To cling to the iron rod requires humility, a willingness to trust even when understanding eludes us. It demands that we resist the temptation to force scripture into pre-conceived boxes, instead allowing it to shape our understanding, even when that reshaping is unsettling.

The pursuit of knowledge is a sacred duty, but it must be tempered with reverence and a recognition of our own limitations. Let us embrace the “indefinite period” of mystery, trusting that as we diligently seek and pray, the Lord will reveal more in His own time. The Lord’s timetable isn’t ours, and attempting to force it will only lead to frustration and a diminished witness.

How might we apply this principle of embracing the indefinite period to our own scripture study and personal revelation?