O Be Wise

Today was a further testimony to me of why we must attend church prepared to learn and having read the lessons in advance. As I was sitting up front, the dear sister who was to teach the lesson came up to me and said she was going home. She was sick and said she wouldn't make it through the lesson. So, she gave me her notes and away she went. Thankfully that morning I had listened to the talk that would be discussed. So I began to look over what she gave me and prayed for help.

Elder Ballard begins his talk by talking about Jacob. He was the son born to father Lehi and Sariah in the wilderness. Jacob witnessed many miracles and also watched his family be torn apart by disobedience and rebellion. He was a family man.

As Jacob closes his book, he writes many poignant words to the reader. Just before he bids farewell, he writes, "O be wise; what can I say more?" (Jacob 6:12).

For Jacob, it was about family. He worked to have relationships with his family; and he loved his people, partly because they were his family. Jacob taught clearly, with all the energy of his soul and he warned the people. Finally, there wasn't anything more he could think of to warn, urge, motivate, or inspire. So he states eight simple words, "O be wise; what can I say more?"

What is it to be wise? Is it different to have knowledge?

The Bible Dictionary says "knowledge" is one of the attributes of God, a gift of the Spirit. Furthermore, the Topical Guide says that "wisdom" is the intelligence of God, omniscience of God, a gift of the Spirit.

As we become wise, our minds and spirits come more into line with the will of God. We learn to say "Thy will be done," not "But this is what I want to do." Wisdom leads us closer to perfection, while knowledge is a stepping stone to get there. Wisdom has the power to make us like God.

"O be wise; what can I say more?"