Elder Gerrit W. Gong, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave the BYU Education Week devotional. He spoke about the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding in our lifelong learning.
Elder Gong shared three spiritual applications for seeking wisdom and understanding as part of our lifelong learning:
1. Study instructive scriptures that contain the words “wisdom” and “understand.”
In preparation for his devotional, Elder Gong reviewed all 354 scriptural verses that include the word “wisdom” and all 435 verses that contain “understand” or “understanding.”
“Heavenly Father can bless us with wisdom and understanding, especially as we intentionally desire and diligently seek wisdom and understanding,” Elder Gong said.
When we receive wisdom and understanding from God, we can see how He sees and understand things we would not otherwise understand.
2. Use scriptural wisdom and understanding to place conversation about artificial intelligence (AI) in a gospel context.
AI can be a powerful tool to help further the work in language translation, production and publication. However, AI also has its challenges.
“What hath God wrought” was the first Morse code message ever sent. Elder Gong says it is also a question we can ask ourselves as we seek God’s wisdom in our day.
“We are not afraid of AI, nor do we think it is the answer to every problem,” he shared, “As we work hard and smart, AI can be a valuable tool to enhance but not replace our own efforts.”
3. Incline our ears and apply our hearts to understand that Jesus Christ can bless and heal each of us.
Elder Gong taught that the most important personal wisdom and understanding we can know is that the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ are meant for everyone.
“Instead of our being held captive to old pasts, His Atonement can free us to new futures. Jesus Christ atones. He redeems. He restores not only what was, but what can be.”
Elder Gong testified that, miraculously, Jesus Christ can help us escape some elements of the past as we use His Atonement to cleanse, sanctify and transform our actions.
“No matter what else you hear today, I hope you will hear that, in His time and way, every glorious blessing in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is meant personally for you,” Elder Gong said.
