Sunday, July 3, 2011

a complete understanding doesn't come all at once

Alma 12:10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
2 Ne. 28:30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. 

I don't think this knowing "in full" is necessarily going to happen in this life. I think "line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little" applies in the hereafter as well as here -- which contradicts the idea most people have of getting to heaven and suddenly having all the answers. (To be honest, that assumption always seems off to me - this makes more sense).

D&C 50:24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
Growing "brighter until the perfect day" means a process. The sun doesn't begin to rise the POP up; trees do not begin to grow then SHOOT to adulthood; we do not learn a little and then BURST into knowing. This is a process we choose to engage in. That is why I think that knowing "in full" will continue to come bit by bit after this life -- As I will be unable to attain perfection here, it will come there, but just as it isn't forced upon me here (I choose it, accepting it "precept by precept," growing in light and being given more) it won't be forced upon me there. I will continue through the process, albeit in a different post-mortal life manner, "growing brighter and brighter" as I accept the light and truth offered.