I was thinking this morning some more about faith, and about how most of our knowledge in every subject is faith. Specifically I was thinking about our working knowledge of the earth and it's orbit. We knew LONG before we had the technology to enter space that the earth was round, that it rotated on it's axis and that it, along with other planets rotated around the sun. We knew this by observations that supported this theory (eg., we observed gravitational pull, we observed that we could travel between continents by East or West navigation, we observed and mapped the sky throughout time, we observed the "rise" and "fall" of the sun, we observed the change in seasons and the patterns of the oceans throughout all parts of the world). In other words, we have a working knowledge of the solar system and how it functions. Our knowledge was built upon our observation and experimentation of our educated hypothesis (what I like to call "hope").
Once we developed the technology to travel into space, we were able to covert our faith of the solar system and it's orbits, etc. (our "working knowledge of the solar system) into a perfect knowledge of certain principles. For example, we were able to confirm that the world was, in fact, round and that it rotates upon an axis, as we could now observe the earth from a new perspective (from outer space).
However, did we feel that before we could observe the earth from space (before we had a "perfect knowledge" of its shape) that we only "believed" that the earth was round? No. We "knew" that the earth was round, even though we had not yet traveled into space to see it with our own eyes. Why? Because we already had the working knowledge of its shape based upon our observations of and experimentation upon true principles that supported that theory, just as we do in all aspects of science. In other words, we had already developed a firm "faith" that the earth was round.
It seems that very little "knowledge" we obtain through science is what we would call a "perfect knowledge". Almost all we "know" is "faith" based on true principles. If we are able to consistently support our hypotheses (our "hope") and unable to disprove them, then we accept them as truth. It is through this faith-based approach to knowledge that scientists throughout history have discovered the natural laws that govern our earth and universe.
Our knowledge of pretty much all principles is a "working knowledge": there is always more to learn, a greater depth at which to understand. There are things that we "know" about our solar system, our universe, other universes, stars, etc. even though we have not yet developed the technology to travel outside our own solar system. Eventually we will be able to "perfect" that knowledge, but at this point, it is still a working knowledge (still "faith"). It can still be understood in greater depths. Knowledge of gospel principles and eternal truth are no different. It is faith-based: it is a working knowledge that can continuously be understood at greater and greater depths until it becomes a "perfect" knowledge. Finally, both religious and scientific knowledge can be revealed and confirmed to us through the Spirit through impressions, enlightenment of the mind, burning in the bosom, visions, dreams, etc. Perhaps this is part of the reason that so many scientists acknowledge that there is a God. Anyway, I was just thinking about these things this morning and thought I would share. What do you think?
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Hi there, I read Stephanie's blog regularly and was wondering if you would mind answering a question for me please? When my hubby was studying many years ago there were several other students who were LDS members. One of these men was married at the time but is now divorced. If they had been sealed in the temple, along with their children, what happens now that they are divorced and he has remarried? Can you get married again in the temple? How does the sealed for eternity 'work' in this instance? I know in the Catholic Church one can seek an annulment which if granted (hard to get and prove) allows you to remarry in the Church - is there something similar here in your Church? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSure, Catherine. I would be happy to answer your questions. I will get to them in more detail hopefully tomorrow, but in the mean time, I thought I would give you some quick answers. Yes, you can have your sealing canceled, yes you can marry again in the temple, and your children will remain sealed to both of their parents and receive all the blessings associated with that. Of course, we are encouraged to do all we can to make our marriage work and avoid divorce whenever possible, as we view marriage as most sacred. Hope that helps. If you have any other questions you would like me to address along with these in tomorrow's post, please let me know.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Jennifer
Catherine-
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know that I have now posted a new post about sealings that addresses your questions and gives information on sealings. Hope that's helpful!
Jennifer