I have pasted in a section from a talk that I really like. The quote deals with gaining knowledge. This quote embodies one of my goals - to be able to gain knowledge in my carreer via inspiration from Heavenly Father. I still have this goal but have been discouraged by trying to juggle all my responsibilities as a husband, father, home teacher, good scientist, etc). Much of the time I just feel overwhelmed and don't know how I can do it all. I really want to be a good scientist. Sometimes I have resented the time that church has taken from me and my carreer and family. I wonder if I could have done better while working for my Ph.D. if I hadn't served in Elder's quorum as a counselor. How can I do everything I am suppose to do (such as have family prayer twice a day; read scriptures with my children, spouse and by myself; write in my journal; do my hometeaching; serve in the community; do a church calling; help my kids with their homework; go out one night a week for a date with my wife; publish articles in scientific journals so I can compete for a good job; share the gospel with my neigbors; be a friend to a new member). It is truly frustrating. At church we often hear about our inadequecies. But details on how to accomplish all we are asked to do are not as prevalent. Has anyone figured it out?! I have bolded my favorit section of the quote.
L. Tom Perry, �Learning to Serve,� Ensign, Aug. 1996, 10
The scriptures tell us that it is impossible for man to be saved in ignorance (see D&C 131:6). This principle is greatly misunderstood. Elder John A. Widtsoe wrote:
�There are of course many kinds of knowledge; some of lesser, some of higher value. When Joseph Smith said that a man cannot be saved in ignorance, he meant naturally ignorance of the laws which all together lead to salvation. Such knowledge is of the highest value. It should be sought after first. Then other kinds of knowledge may be added to support and amplify the more direct knowledge of spiritual law. For example, it is a duty of the Church to preach the gospel to all the world. This however requires the aid of railroads, steamships, printing presses, and a multitude of other things that make up our civilization. A knowledge of the gospel is the missionary�s first need, but the other needs, though lesser, help him perform better the divine injunction to teach the gospel to all people� (Evidences and Reconciliations, arr. G. Homer Durham [1987], 224).
Of course, today some persons require knowledge about passenger jets, computers, satellite communications, and so on, but Elder Widtsoe�s point still holds. What he implied is that there must needs be an order to our learning, the same order indicated by the Savior�s teaching, �Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you� (Matt. 6:33). Learning about sacred things should come first, providing a context and need for secular learning. If we want to return to our Heavenly Father�s presence, our first priority should be to learn about his ways and his plan.
The world would want to fool us into believing that there is insufficient time to engage in both spiritual and secular learning. I warn us not to be deceived by these philosophies of men. Our learning about sacred things will facilitate, even accelerate, our secular learning. President John Taylor formulated �The Limitations of Secular Hypothesis,� which states:
�Man, by philosophy and the exercise of his natural intelligence, may gain an understanding, to some extent, of the laws of Nature. But to comprehend God, heavenly wisdom and intelligence are necessary. Earthly and heavenly philosophy are two different things, and it is folly for men to base their arguments upon earthly philosophy in trying to unravel the mysteries of the kingdom of God� (The Gospel Kingdom, sel. G. Homer Durham [1987], 73).
If we provide a spiritual foundation for our secular learning, not only will we better understand the laws of nature, but we can gain a depth of understanding never before imagined possible about art, languages, technology, medicine, law, and human behavior. We can see the world around us and understand it through God�s eyes.