This I Know ...

Often in our LDS tradition we talk of the things we “know.” But, from time to time I wonder what it means to “know” a thing. For example, I have a brother who I claim to know. Yet, despite a lifetime of experience, beginning with us living in the same home and continuing with very regular contact, there is much I do not know about him. It is true that I know his name and his outward appearance. I know some of his likes or dislikes. I even how to push his buttons, so to speak, if I want to play the part of the tormenting older brother again. The reality is, though, there is much that I do not know about his inner feelings, hopes, and dreams as well as experiences he has had when I have not been present. 

Just recently I learned something about an experience my brother had in high school that I had not known before. Does this new story invalidate my claim to know my brother? Not in the least. What I knew before, I still know. Now, I just know him a little better, in a little more detail.

Another example of “knowing” a thing is the classic story of the blind men and the elephant. This story is found in Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and other traditions. There is a version by John Godfrey Saxe that I will quote in part:

It was six men of Indostan

To learning much inclined, 

Who went to see the Elephant

(Though all of them were blind), 

That each by observation 

Might satisfy his mind.

In subsequent verses we learn that these six men each touched a different part of the elephant. Each declared their discovery that an elephant was like: a wall, a spear, a snake, a tree, a fan, or a rope. The concluding verses close the story:

And so these men of Indostan

Disputed loud and long, 

Each in his own opinion 

Exceeding stiff and strong, 

Though each was partly in the right, 

And all were in the wrong! 

So, oft in theologic wars 

The disputants, I ween, 

Rail on in utter ignorance 

Of what each other mean, 

And prate about an Elephant 

Not one of them has seen! 

Often we experience a religious principle, teaching or doctrine and feel that we know something about it. Just like my claim to know my brother, there is real substance to our sincere knowledge of religious principles. But, like the blind men and the elephant, our view of a particular principle may be limited to just one facet or aspect. What we know may be correct, as far as it goes, but may not be complete. Many disagreements are born of “testimony” that is correct, even supported by the witness of the Spirit, yet incomplete.

Similar to me knowing my brother, or the blind men knowing about an elephant, I claim to know four things that we refer to as the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel. And I have, in fact, learned something about each of these four. I know their names, some basic descriptions, a few anecdotes based upon experience, and have even felt the confirmation of the Spirit that these principles and ordinances are of God. At times I have even been tempted to feel that I know these things well enough to get bored when they come up, yet again, in a talk or a lesson. After all, I have attended over 2,300 sacrament meetings and Sunday School classes, 1,800 priesthood lessons, 700 seminary classes, as well as innumerable family home evenings, stake conferences and general conferences where these first four principles and ordinances have been discussed. I have never found a reason to doubt these four things. In fact, as I mentioned, I have often felt the warm reassurance of the Holy Ghost that these things are true.

Yet, there is much I do not yet know. This is an important start to further learning. One of the greatest obstacles to learning is the thought that we already know enough. If, on the other hand, we realize that we are like one of the blind men and that there are more aspects of the elephant to experience, then we can continue to learn. In fact, once all the blind men experience the entire elephant, their disagreements will likely be resolved. 

One of the best learning experiences I have had is to set aside what I think I know and turn to the scriptures to see what they really teach about a principle or ordinance. Often I find that my past understanding is basically correct, yet incomplete. Always I find that the scriptures teach about Jesus Christ. I learn more about Him every time I search the scriptures. In subsequent posts I will share some of what I have learned. I hope you will accept these contemplations as just one blind man's views of Jesus Christ.