It has always been an interest of mine to observe the interpretation of scripture by men. So often such interpretation is to reaffirm pre-conceived notions which allow a man to operate in this life with some degree of certainty despite the mysteries of God. Men do not seem overly concerned with whether their intellectual construct is accurate, as long as it is not in direct conflict with the scriptures. So they search the scriptures, bend them, re-write them, twist them and interpret them until the majesty of creation and those laws inherent to such a mysterious wonder make perfect sense to them. We seem to be disturbed by ignorance. After God revealed the secrets of the world to Moses, Moses asked concerning other worlds. God reminded Moses that a knowledge of this creation would suffice. Is there room for ignorance in the minds of the saints? If there is not, then there is no room for revelation.

We must be vigilant to be citizens of truth, not creators of continuity. If occasion should arise wherein our knowledge of things divine lacks evidence, such that a gap in understanding is paramount, we must fill the gap with faith, not philosophy or interpretation. It seems that revelation alone should fill such a void in knowledge, and not the reason of man or the philosophy of our revered. Revelation exists because of ignorance, not foolishness. Foolishness is the means by which men become intelligent. By formulating, surmising, interpreting, tabulating, and fabricating, men seem to gain "understanding". The mistake they make is in the assumption that not having any questions constitutes true understanding. The fool may convince himself that the moon is made of cheese, and absolve any inquiry he may have had concerning its construction, but such a resolution is a far cry from true understanding. Likewise, men may twist the scriptures and find utility in speculation such that they shorten the list of their questions regarding divine nature and the laws thereto inherent, but fail completely in their endeavor to abolish ignorance. Who would trade inaccurate information or speculative precept for ignorance?

Let us choose ignorance over the vain reasoning of men, because ignorance is real, and revelation is the reward. An even worse fate than trusting in the wisdom of man, is to fail to see any reason for the attainment of a greater knowledge, to assume that we know enough. This act closes the window for revelation, for revelation finds the otherwise ignorant person through the window of faith and the path of diligent study. Should the vastness of heavenly mysteries discourage the searching of the scriptures and the settling upon our current state of ignorance? Heaven forbid, but let not such a vastness deceive us into short-changing such an inquiry by constructing our own doctrinal reality wherein all the pieces fit nicely into the puzzle which is framed of preconceived notions.

The answer lays in longsuffering, in faith, wisdom, truth, moderation, peace, resolve, and above all obedience. Obedience to the Word of God which was made flesh, the meridian revelation which restored wisdom to this earth, Jesus Christ. Longsuffering and patience, all the while healthily mixed with diligent searching and prayer, finds the ignorant steward the recipient of revelation. Often the beneficiary of brilliance, always the temple of the Holy Ghost. Is ignorance OK? No, but the mistaking of knowledge for wisdom is not the solution. Knowledge is the fruit of study and factual understanding, gained through the devouring of texts and the memorization of law. Intellect is the fruit of knowledge. But wisdom is a different creature, greater in value, and more difficult in attainment. Wisdom is the work of revelation, the divine fruit of the Holy Ghost, and not only in the divine revelation whispered to men of righteous design, but the divine revelation which gives meaning to life experiences. Wisdom is not found in text and is not the fodder of scholars, but is found in discernment and is the reward of the humble, obviously ignorant, man. He is the humble ignorant man who finds solace in searching the scriptures, prayer, fasting, and the application of faith in the fashion of longsuffering. Wisdom is granted unto the man who waits for it by eagerly seeking it out, and not those who forgo such patience and find instant gratification in the fabrication of some sensible formulation. Wisdom is granted to those who seek out wisdom. Knowledge is granted to those who seek out knowledge. Wisdom brings a greater humility as it manifests in more exuberant questioning. Knowledge destroys humility in its conquering of the inquiry. Don't blame Moses for his persistence in inquiry, he was the victim of wisdom, for as he was made wise, his soul was made hungry. With the answer of one question comes the development of five more. Are such instances manifestations of ignorance? Absolutely. But the wisest men are so often those with the most questions.