One of my favorite phrases of advice often given to my sons has been: "See clearly!" Clear sightedness involves gathering the proper data, critical analysis, prayer, and careful decision-making. To me, it is a comprehensive term that says, "Look to God (prayer, scripture, science, & nature) and live" (cf. Alma 37:47).
Soldiers in a combat theater wear special goggles to protect their eyes (e.g., Wiley X goggles). But, that is NOT enough. Soldiers “see clearly” when they use their extensive military training to detect enemy, roadside bombs, or other hazards. But, that is NOT enough.
In metaphorical terms, "soldiers in the army of God" see most clearly ONLY when they use their goggles, their training, and also the spirit of revelation, the Holy Spirit, bestowed upon them as a gift. It is a formula of three: optical physics, military preparation, and divine light. ALL are required in combination to actually see clearly.
Revelation does not come out of thin air by some magical process. In order to see clearly, one must stay in close contact with physical reality. Even in religion, loss of scientific perspective causes one to see nothing but a blur.
Seeing clearly involves looking at the empirical facts, study, preparation, and prayer. There are no shortcuts. In this context, let's take a close look at Alma 37:47 (cited above) and some preceding verses. In the verses below note that Alma, using his own wording, was telling his son Helaman to “see clearly!” Notice that the metaphors used by Alma involved an instrument (compass), preparation, taking care, and looking in order to live.
Alma 37: 44 – 47 [emphasis mine]
44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.
45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.
46 O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.
47 And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell.
The mandate, “Look to God and live,” is just an alternate way of expressing what I mean by "seeing clearly."
Elder Lance B. Wickman, a LDS General Authority and a retired soldier, in the quote below reminds us that faith involves having a “firm mind” and that “believing is seeing.”
Elder Lance B. Wickman, “But If Not,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 30
Faith is, quite simply, a confidence in the Lord. In Mormon’s words, it is “a firm mind in every form of godliness” (Moro. 7:30; emphasis added). …
It is common in our secular world to say that “seeing is believing.” Whatever value this little maxim may have in the mundane affairs of life, it is an alien presence when we turn to the Lord in the dark hour of our extremity. The way of the Lord is best defined by a different maxim: “Believing is seeing.” Faith in the Lord is the premise, not the conclusion.
The act of seeing clearly involves seeing by faith as well as by science. Both are needed to see clearly.
Faith involves a magnificent power but it is NOT a magical power. Read below:
Elder Richard G. Scott, The Sustaining Power of Faith in Times of Uncertainty and Testing, Ensign (CR), May 2003
Some feel that any discussion of religion and the guidance one can receive through robust faith have no rational basis. However, faith is not illusion nor magic but a power rooted in eternal principles.
Conclusions: Latter-day Saints are practitioners of BOTH science and faith. We need NOT be afraid of the world as we find it in existence. Yet, we also know that many aspects of our faith extend beyond the empirical realms. Seeing clearly is a process that integrates the best of science with the best of our culture of faith. Latter-day Saints REALLY look to God to live.
Copyright 2009 S.Faux (Email: foxgoku54 [at] gmail [d0t] c0m; URL: http://mormoninsights.blogspot.com). Readers may distribute this post for noncommercial purposes provided such distributing is of the entire post, including author's copyright and contact information. All other rights reserved.
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