Caitlin is a student at Brigham Young University and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the “Mormon Church” by friends of other faiths). She is currently taking a class where she was asked to write a paper about how the Gospel of Jesus Christ and her specific discipline in school (which is exercise science) are related. Mormons are counseled in modern-day scripture to “seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118). She shares her thoughts and feelings concerning this principle below:
In our class discussion regarding Egyptology, we were able to see just how much we learn from revelation. There are so many things we think that we know, only in later years to realize how wrong we really were. In my discipline, which is exercise science, I am able to learn about the body and its movement through biology and chemistry classes. Through my studies, I have learned first-hand how little we know. The book I used at the beginning of my study would no longer be applicable at this time in my trek. So much of modern science changes month to month upon receiving new information. These “revelations,” help us to be the most accurate in our study. That’s not to say that what we found first was wrong, just that it was incomplete information.
We discussed how revealed revelation helped the Church in understanding more about how to run. Joseph Smith was able to receive new scripture purely off of revelation; through those revelations we have learned more about this Gospel. Revealed revelation should add to our knowledge and help us understand that we are always learning. Something may not have been in our prior knowledge, but that doesn’t mean we won`t learn it at some point. In my discipline then, I need to make sure I am learning all that I can, but keeping an open mind that some things may later be revealed that add to or are contrary to a previous thought. Being stuck on one idea leaves us close-minded and naïve. Most areas of study would like to believe we know everything. That is fine, but we know better. Never take something as concrete, unless it is the sole fact that God lives and loves us. This knowledge will help me to realize nothing is quite set in stone. More information can be given to us at any point.
Obviously finding and discovering information for ourselves is a big way to learn in my field, but that doesn’t mean it is the only way to learn. I hope to become a physical therapist someday, and realize that different theories could change from now to when I am actually out working. This is fine. It will teach me that I need to have an open mind to received information. I know the Gospel, I know the principles, and I know my Heavenly Father is there and that He will reveal to us what we need to know, at the right time. With this information, I know that everything is second to the Gospel. That if I learn something in my field contrary to what I know to be true, I simply can pray and my Father will help me to understand what is to be learned. If I take my discipline as law, then I will find my faith shaken and confused. The Gospel is always true, though my field of study, scientifically founded as it is, is not. I need to listen closely to the prophets and to what my Father personally tells me and with and open mind learn what my discipline has to teach me.
Additional Resources:
Read/watch/listen to a talk titled “In Tune with the Music of Faith” given by one of today’s apostles Quintin L. Cook.
Learn more about the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Also known as Mormons) believing in modern revelation.
Request a free copy of the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon.