The Unfolding of Intelligence: More Than Just Revelation

We often speak of revelation as a discrete event—a moment of clarity, a prompting, a confirmation. But what if true revelation isn't just about receiving information, but about cultivating the capacity to apply that information, to embody it in our lives? Elder Bednar, in his interview and subsequent book, reframes the conversation, urging us to consider the hierarchy of learning—knowledge, understanding, and intelligence—and the critical role of the Holy Ghost in facilitating that ascent. It’s a challenge to the posture of passive recipient, and a call to active discipleship.

The prophet Joseph Smith declared, “there wasn’t anything that God would reveal to Joseph that could not or would not be revealed to any Latter-day Saint.” This isn’t a promise of equal access to the specifics of prophetic revelation, but a testament to the potential inherent in each of us to receive and act upon divine guidance. It’s a promise contingent upon our striving, our seeking, our willingness to be refined.

Knowledge, Elder Bednar explains, is the foundation—what we acquire through study, experience, and instruction. But knowledge alone is inert. It requires something more.

Understanding isn't a mental exercise. It's a felt experience, a profound conviction born of the Spirit. As the scriptures instruct, “Apply thine heart to understanding” (D&C 118:4). This isn’t a passive acceptance of data; it’s a spiritual grappling, a wrestling with truth until it becomes an intrinsic part of who we are. As parents, we are commanded to create a gospel-centered home where the Spirit can bear witness of our efforts. This isn't simply about reciting scripture; it's about fostering an environment where truth permeates the atmosphere, where the Spirit can gently guide and instruct.

And then there’s intelligence. This, Elder Bednar clarifies, isn’t measured by standardized tests or IQ scores. It’s the application of knowledge and understanding for righteousness—the transformation of our hearts and lives. It’s “becoming new creatures in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17), consistently striving to live according to His teachings. It’s the process of “light cleaving to light” (D&C 50:24).

Too often, we fixate on the next revelation—the next section of scripture, the next pronouncement from the Brethren. We look outward, expecting God to bestow upon us some external blessing. But the true advancement comes from within, from diligently applying the truths we already possess. As Elder Bednar observes, “We have a long way to go. We don’t use the one that we’ve got now as as fully as we should.”

The pursuit of intelligence isn't a destination; it's a lifelong journey. It requires humility, diligence, and an unwavering commitment to the principles of the gospel. It demands that we not only *know* the truth but that we *live* it, allowing the Spirit to refine us, to mold us into the image of our Savior.

Consider the temple covenants—not as mere rituals, but as binding agreements to live a life worthy of eternal progression. Think of the priesthood—not as a title, but as a responsibility to serve and to emulate Christ. Each action, each decision, contributes to the unfolding of our individual intelligence.

Let us turn our attention, not to what we lack, but to what we already possess. Let us diligently apply the knowledge we have, seek understanding through the Spirit, and strive to become more fully the people the Lord desires us to be.

What truths are you applying in your life today? What subtle shifts in perspective have you received through diligent scripture study and prayer?