Gospel Knowledge.
Gospel knowledge deals with the clear understanding of the truth about God, Our Eternal Father and His eternal laws which govern us, His children on earth, which if we obey we will gain salvation in His presence.
Gospel knowledge also deals with all truth that comes from Him.
Knowledge is an attribute of Deity and He possesses it in the fullness.
We, His spirit children, have that spark of Deity within us also.
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith p.354.
The relationship we have with God places us in a situation to advance in knowledge. He has power to institute laws to instruct the weaker intelligences, that they may be exalted with himself, so that they might have one glory upon another, and all that knowledge, power, glory, and intelligence, which is requisite in order to save them in the world of spirits.
Acts 15: 18
18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
An understanding that God knows all things is necessary for man to exercise faith in Him so as to obtain salvation in His kingdom.
Doctrine and Covenants 38: 1-2
1 Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made;
2 The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes.
Not only does God the Father know all things, but as stated above by the Lord Jesus Christ, so does He, the Son. The Holy Ghost also known as the Comforter, the third member of the Godhead does also:
Doctrine and Covenants 35: 19
19 Wherefore, watch over him that his faith fail not, and it shall be given by the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, that knoweth all things.
We are the sons and daughters of God, the weaker intelligences mentioned above by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Knowledge – The Differences.
All the knowledge that is available is not equal in worth to us. Much of it does not move us towards exaltation.
Learning the arts and sciences like history, mathematics, medicine, and chemistry are good things to learn and are very useful here on earth and will be used in eternity, but in and of itself, does not move us towards our salvation.
First, we have to obtain salvation and be judged or allowed to progress onward after this life, and then we will use the other things we have learned here.
Learning them may help us to be open to the receiving of the saving truths or being able to understand those truths more.
The Lord tells us to seek learning out of the best books, by study and also by faith.
There are many that think, after learning much of the worldly knowledge that they do not need God.
They think that they know better and do not pay attention to God or His Spirit.
It is the knowledge of God that brings salvation.
The Prophet Jacob explains:
2 Nephi 9: 28-29, 42
28 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.
29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.
42 And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.
Daniel 12: 4 (Partial quote.)
4 …”many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased”.
He is talking about the last days that there will be so much knowledge available that many will not be able to find the knowledge that matters for their eternal benefit.
The Latter Day Saints are expected to concentrate in the knowledge of the truth and this kind of knowledge is a result of righteousness and comes by revelation from the Holy Ghost who is a revealer of saving knowledge. (See John 7: 17)
The Prophet Joseph Smith also instructed us on this:
Doctrine and Covenants 130: 18-19
18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.
In conclusion, keep learning all that you can, but concentrate on the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel that He has restored to the earth.
For further information go to www.lds.org
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