Understanding Is A Wellspring of Life

This is an amazing devotional address by David A. Bednar, given when he was the President of Ricks College, now BYU Idaho.

Here is the first part below:

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"UNDERSTANDING IS A WELLSPRING OF LIFE . . ." 
Proverbs 16:22

Ricks College Campus Education Week Devotional
June 3, 1999
Elder David A. Bednar
© 1999 by Ricks College. All rights reserved

Good morning, brothers and sisters, and welcome to our Ricks College Campus Education Week. Sister Bednar and I are delighted to be with you. 
 
I pray for and invite the Spirit of the Lord to be with each of us today, that we may truly understand one another and be edified and rejoice together (D&C 50:22).

During my remarks this morning, I will refer to a significant number of scriptures— many more than we could possibly read together in the allotted devotional time. Some of the references I will specifically ask you to look up in your scriptures and read along with me; other verses I will quote directly and provide only the reference. For your convenience a number of scriptures and key concepts will be projected on the large screen directly above me. In addition, a handout sheet detailing all of the scriptural references I will use can be picked up at the conclusion of today’s devotional. You may find it helpful to study the quoted verses in more detail at a later time.

As Susan mentioned, the theme for our Campus Education Week this year is taken from Proverbs chapter 16 verse 22: "Understanding is a wellspring of life . . ." For some time I have been thinking about and working to understand the scriptural meaning of the word understanding. Today I would like to address two fundamental questions related to this important concept: (1) What is the scriptural meaning of understanding, and (2) what key principles are related to understanding?
 
Question #1 — What is the scriptural meaning of understanding?

In the scriptures, understanding is frequently linked to and associated with both knowledge and wisdom. For example, Exodus chapter 31 verse 3 describes an inspired artisan who helped to build and furnish the tabernacle.

And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.

In Proverbs chapter 4 verse 7 we read:

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

In Proverbs chapter 9 verse 10 we learn:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Job asks in chapter 28 verse 12:

But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?

Job then provides an inspired answer to his own question in verse 28:

And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Mormon, as he finishes his record, indicates that he writes . . .

. . . according to the knowledge and understanding which God has given me. (Words of Mormon 1:9)

Clearly, understanding cannot be understood apart from knowledge and wisdom.
Interestingly, understanding is also commonly described in the scriptures in relation to the heart. For example:

Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who hath given understanding to the heart?(Job 38:36)

My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.(Psalms 49:3)
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding. (Proverbs 2:2)
Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. (Mosiah 12:27)
. . . but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view. (Mosiah 2:9)
And the multitude did hear and do bear record; and their hearts were open and they did understand in their hearts the words which he prayed. (3 Nephi 19:33)

You may now be asking yourself, Elder Bednar, what is the point? What are the relationships among knowledge, understanding, and wisdom? And why in the scriptures is understanding frequently associated with the heart? Let me try to briefly explain.

Knowledge typically is the foundation of understanding. We use our minds and our intellect, our experience, and the process of reasoning to acquire information, to analyze facts, to recognize patterns and relationships, and to summarize what we have learned and know about people, places, and events. As we learn in the ninety-third section of the Doctrine and Covenants, "Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come" (verse 24; emphasis added). Knowledge in and of itself does not guarantee understanding, but understanding cannot be obtained without knowledge.

Understanding is built upon knowledge and precedes wisdom. As described in the scriptures, we use our hearts and the process of revelation to obtain a confirming spiritual witness concerning the truth of what we have come to know. In and through our hearts the Holy Ghost certifies more completely and helps us to feel deeply the truth of what we have come to know intellectually. Understanding grows out of knowledge that is certified as true by the Holy Ghost and produces an illumination, a comprehension, a perspective, and a depth of desire and commitment not obtainable through reason alone. As President Harold B. Lee frequently taught, "When your heart begins to tell you things that your mind does not know, then you are getting the spirit of the Lord" (New Era, February 1971, pg. 3).

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Love that last quote!  I think I'm starting to get the spirit of the Lord!  :)