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| ©Darrell Wyatt |
in·tel·li·gence
- capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity; aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts, meanings, etc.
wis·dom
- the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.
I've always known that there is a difference between wisdom and intelligence, but not until I read these definitions did I really understand what that difference is. Everyone on this earth is born with some level of intelligence. Debatable, I know, but everyone has the capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding. That intelligence can be broadened, according to a person's ability to use the capacity that they were given, which is why some people are more intelligent than others. Wisdom, on the other hand, is purely driven by choice. One must make the decision to couple his or her knowledge of truth and right with their judgment. He or she must choose to use discernment and insight. Without that choice, there is no wisdom - only intelligence.
In today's reading, Jacob is pleading with his people to follow the ways of the Lord. He wants them to accept the words of the prophets concerning the coming of Christ. In order to help them understand, he uses an allegory from Zenos about an olive tree in the Lord's vineyard. He talks about the gathering of Israel and tells the people that the Lord will remember all the all of the House of Israel, "both roots and branches", and "as many as will not harden their hearts shall be saved in the kingdom of God."(Jacob 6:4)
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts. (Jacob 6:5)
I love that - "...cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you". I can't imagine having the capacity to love God as much as He loves me. I love him with my whole being, but with a much more imperfect kind of love than He offers me. I know that there is nothing he wouldn't do for me, but can I say the same about me for Him? I'm still working on that.
O then, my beloved brethren, repent ye, and enter in at the strait gate, and continue in the way which is narrow, until ye shall obtain eternal life. (Jacob 6:11)
Jacob's concern is very touching. Just as other servants of the Lord have tried to steer their people toward Him, Jacob also wanted what was best for his people. What he said next is one of my very favorite verses in all of the Book of Mormon:
O be wise; what can I say more? (Jacob 6:12)
Such a simple verse! But, to me, it is so profound. Be wise. That's all. Just be wise. Looking at that definition of wisdom above, it is very hard to imagine that a wise person could stray very far from the right path. If we use our "knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action", there's not a lot of margin for error.
As a mom, I've tried to teach my kids to make the right choices. To be discerning in every situation, and to know beforehand what choices they'll make. Without consciously knowing, I've been teaching them to be wise. The choice to use that wisdom and discernment is theirs. Hopefully, they will grow up to be more than intelligent beings. Hopefully they will be wise. What more could I ask for?
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