By Study and By Faith

In today's world, it is understandable that there are a lot of questions about a lot of things.  Many seek for answers. Some seek for truth.  Some can't handle the truth.

But consider how passionately the Prophet Joseph Smith loved truth: 

"When things that are of the greatest importance are passed over by weak-minded men without even a thought, I want to see truth in all its bearings and hug it to my bosom." (Joseph Smith's Sermon on Plurality of Gods, History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 473-9)

The Prophet Brigham Young, Joseph Smith's successor, and one of his most devoted friends, also loved truth and understood the importance of education: "Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world's work, and the power to appreciate life." (Brigham Young, quoted by George H. Brimhall in "The Brigham Young University," Improvement Era, vol. 23, no. 9 (July 1920), p. 831.)

The Prophet Joseph F. Smith, a grandson of Joseph Smith's brother Hyrum Smith, inherited and improved upon this legacy of truth.  He understood that true education and education in truth are not simply matters of filling a vessel, but the process of kindling, igniting and fanning a flame: 

"[Learning the] truth, combined with proper regard for it, and its faithful observance, constitutes true education. The mere stuffing of the mind with a knowledge of facts is not education. The mind must not only possess a knowledge of truth, but the soul must revere it, cherish it, love it as a priceless gem; and this human life must be guided and shaped by it in order to fulfill its destiny" (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine [1939], 269)

More recently, Elder Neal A. Maxwell expanded upon the definition of education to include the education of desire:

"Only by educating and training our desires can they become our allies instead of our enemies!"

In the Book of Mormon, the Lord revealed His standard for education through the Prophet Jacob:

"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.

But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God." (2 Ne. 9:28-29)

One of the frequent counsels of God to His children is to seek learning and wisdom:

• "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." (D&C 88:118)

• "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith;" (D&C 109:7)

• "And do thou grant, Holy Father, that all those who shall worship in this house may be taught words of wisdom out of the best books, and that they may seek learning even by study, and also by faith, as thou hast said;" (D&C 109:14)

• "And set in order the churches, and study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people." (D&C 90:15)

The Prophet Joseph Smith declared that, "The best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask from books, but to go to God in prayer, and obtain divine teaching."  Even so, the Lord has counseled His children to seek words of wisdom out of the best books.  He has counseled us to seek learning by study and by faith.  He has counseled us to study and learn.  He has counseled us to become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people.

In a world full of questions, such counsel naturally gives rise to other questions.  What are the best books?  Where are these words of wisdom to be found?  What does it mean to seek learning by study and by faith?  What are the good books, languages, tongues, and people that we should become acquainted with?