Skip to main content
Intellect

Joseph McConkie describes the work involved in getting knowledge from God

"It is in the accepting of our lot and moving forward with what the Lord has asked of us that we discover that the Holy Ghost enjoys our company, angels feel constrained to join us and the heavens open to our vision," emeritus professor Joseph F. McConkie told students as he spoke about finding answers at Tuesday's devotional.

For rebroadcast dates of the devotional, please see byubroadcasting.org.

McConkie walked students through several principles for finding answers to life's many problems.

The first principle he taught was to learn to solve your own problems. A son of the late apostle Bruce R. McConkie, Prof. McConkie said he went to his father once with some gospel questions and received the response, "Look Junior, you have the same sources available to you as I do to me."

McConkie honored his father and two grandfathers who devoted their lives to the study of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and who also taught him to get answers for himself.

"They are now gone," he said. "Questions continue, as does the confidence that the same sources that were available to them are available to me."

A principle of honest work applies to gaining secular and sacred knowledge, he said.

"There is a measurable difference between a student coming to my office to seek clarification on something they have read or that was taught in class and the student that comes asking to be taught what they missed because they chose not to come to class or complete the reading assignment."

Those who work to learn the truth can rely on the companionship of the Holy Ghost, McConkie said. "The fact that every member of the Church is given the gift of the Holy Ghost is the evidence that the Lord wants to reveal things to you and through you."

When no sure answer comes, McConkie said, it may mean that the Lord leaves some matters to our own discretion, and it may mean that we are failing to ask the right questions.

Questions carried with a spirit of doubt and questions intended to challenge rather than build faith are not effective, he said. The Book of James requires that we seek wisdom in faith, "nothing wavering."

"Of those who 'waver' James says, 'Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.'" (James 1:5-7.)

On the other hand, McConkie reassured students that we have a sure promise that "if we pray in the manner prescribed by Christ and ask for that 'which is right' our prayers will be answered.

"The path we seek will always be clearly marked by the covenants we have made and the callings we have received."

Writer: Alexis Plowman

Related Articles

data-content-type="article"

Save your tears for another day — BYU researchers can use them to detect disease

December 05, 2024
It’s been said that angry tears are salty and happy tears are sweet. Whether or not that’s actually the case, it is true that not all tears are the same. Tears from chopping an onion are different from those shed from pain – like stepping on a Lego in the middle of the night — as are those special basal tears that keep eyes moist all day. Each type of tear carries unique proteins that reveal insights into health.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

BYU study shows that even one act of kindness per week improves wellbeing for individuals, communities

November 25, 2024
Have you felt uplifted through a simple smile, help with a task or a positive interchange with someone — even a stranger? Kindness works both ways. A new study conducted by BYU researcher Julianne Holt-Lunstad finds that offering a single act of kindness each week reduced loneliness, social isolation and social anxiety, and promoted neighborhood relationships.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

From Tony Hawk Pro Skater to Minecraft, these humanities professors want students to study (and play) video games

November 21, 2024
Humanities professors Michael Call and Brian Croxall have introduced a new video gaming initiative to BYU’s campus. With the support of the College of Humanities, students gather each Monday at 4:00 p.m. in the Humanities Learning Commons for a short faculty lecture about the video game of the week. The game is then available to play throughout the week. Beginning with Stardew Valley and Minecraft, the highlighted games and analyses are continuing through the semester.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=