It Depends on the Connection

Knowledge can be a stumbling block.  I have heard this in a variety of contexts before, many from the scriptures in reference to “the learned” who are “stiff-necked” and unfaithful.  Elder Kevin J. Worthen talks about this important topic in an address to BYU students.  In reference to Paul’s epistle to the Corinthians, he talks about how caring is more important than knowing.  Paul states it this way:

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not ^acharity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

 2 And though I have the gift of ^aprophecy, and understand all^bmysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

I Corinthians 13:1-2

So, should we avoid knowledge?  Elder Worthen responds with a resounding “no.”  Knowledge is still important, but without charity – it is nothing.  He lays out a good analogy to visualize this: Knowledge is like dots on a page.  We can connect them and learn, but “if we do not consider the impact our actions and knowledge have on others, we will see neither all the dots on the page nor the multitude of connections that might be made to give more clarity to the picture.”  He argues, then, that charity and knowledge have a symbiotic relationship, meaning that they build each other up, and one cannot prosper without the other.

I absolutely love what he does at the end of this discussion.  This symbiotic relationship works perfectly with the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  He says: “Perhaps only when He completely realized the full measure of the pain He was being asked to bear was it possible for Christ to exercise the kind of pure love that constitutes full charity.”  When I read this, I thought: He can understand each of us because He has been there.  He has perfect empathy for every situation – empathy that really means something. Like this:

(Brené Brown, The Power of Empathy.)

Christ is the perfect example of this. Elder Worthen exhorts us to make it a priority to gain this kind of charity – even as much effort as we put into gaining knowledge.  He makes a thought-provoking comment about this:

 “It requires just as much energy and perseverance to acquire charity as it does to obtain knowledge.”

Only Christ has perfect knowledge and perfect empathy. In order for us to feel that much charity for another person, or other people, we need to connect with Christ.  In order for us to gain completely knowledge of anything, we need to connect with Christ.  Both of these endeavors rely on our connection and closeness to Christ.

This was a very inspiring reminder to me. I’m glad I read this talk.