Men of Understanding

Book of Mosiah Chapter 1 – As I have increased in my own testimony I have come to value more and more what is referred to in verse 2 as “men of understanding.” They are at peace (v1), they are taught of the things in the scriptures by their fathers (this could mean leaders as well as parents here, I believe). Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child when he is young and he will not depart from it.” If not for the scriptures, they would have suffered ignorance . . . not knowing the mysteries of God. (v3) Where do we gain an understanding of the mysteries of God? I've been told that whenever we read the word “mystery” in the scriptures, it is a temple flag. So men of understanding are righteous priesthood holders worthy of a temple recommend and use it! Is it just in the temple? I believe it also comes from studying the scriptures and the words of the prophets – old and new. It is in doing these things that we can begin to connect the dots between temple worship and scripture study and become men and women of understanding.

All our children have a profound love for their Dad who I consider to be a man of understanding. My girls search for a husband like him. Although I believe life is a process, and I know we are all in the process of becoming, my counsel to them would be to search for the priesthood holder with integrity and enough self respect not to “settle”. He will be fixed on his goal of an eternal companionship and will be willing to pay the price to achieve it. He will not be worldly and easily influenced by the things of this world. He will be a “man of understanding”; one who pays the price to “prosper in the land” (v2). What is the price? Search scriptures diligently and keep the commandments. A small price tag with huge dividends.

Not to leave my married children out, my Handbook 2 study this morning was 1.3.1 Husband and Wife. Being one in marriage – the goal. How is this done? Work, pray, worship, sacrifice, teach children the gospel, mourn over wayward children. How? TOGETHER! In doing these things they are united with each other and with God.