Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Matthew 6:19-21
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
In Sunday School recently, the teacher referred us to Matthew 6:21 and pointed out that our treasures in this life are the things we spent time on. She then asked us to name some of our “treasures” as she listed them on the whiteboard. The ensuing class discussion was quite interesting as class members shared their experiences with juggling, and trying to properly prioritize, life’s various needs, wants, and demands.
To no one’s surprise (since they know I am a retired school librarian) I listed “books” as my treasure. I said, “The scriptures, of course, but, really, all books.”
I have always been one who hungered for knowledge. As a child I was always asking questions, wanting to understand things. Once I began to read, I was always happiest when I had a book in my hands. As an adult I became a teacher of English and reading. Eventually I became a teacher librarian.
And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, …
Abraham 1:2
As a Latter-day Saint, I have always noted the close relationship between knowledge and salvation. Joseph Smith said they were inseparable.
A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge.
Joseph Smith, April 10, 1842, History of the Church 4:588.
It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.
Joseph Smith, May 17, 1843, Doctrine and Covenants 131:6.
The first thing Joseph Smith did in opening a new dispensation, even before organizing the Church, was to provide us with a new book of scripture. The Book of Mormon is a blessing of new knowledge. It was expressly written and preserved for our day, to edify the Saints and to inform us of the promises, and warn us of the dangers, of living in this land.
Every Latter-day Saint should be continually studying, learning, and growing. That is how we get to where we want to go. Personally, I am interested in the Celestial Kingdom because they have the best library!
Source: “The Purpose and Value of Gospel Study,” A Sacrament Meeting talk by Brian Ferguson.
Amen.
An uplifting post. Thank you.
Knowledge of many and various subjects is to be sought. I absolutely agree.