Understanding God's mysteries

Dear friend

Astronomy can be described as the study of the celestial sphere. I wonder how many astronomers appreciate the fuller meaning of that phrase? The more I come to understand about astronomy the more I realise how little mankind yet knows about the Universe. I sometimes feel the same during my studies of God and His doctrines. There is just so much I don't know, yet.

Thank goodness for the revelations of God; the scriptures, the words of His Prophets, and the Spirit confirming truth. The dilemma of our capacity to discover "the mysteries of godliness" is described really well in the Book of Mormon, Jacob 4:8.

8 Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God.

There seems to be a limit on how much we can comprehend of the Divine, at least while in mortality. Certainly if we rely only on our own investigative powers we may only scratch the surface. We cannot get to the core without help.

One answer to the question of overcoming our intellectual limitations when learning about God and His ways comes from these wonderful verses from the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 2:9-11.

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

This Pauline wisdom is so comforting, but it is also challenging. I hope we can progress our pondering of God's mysteries through having His Spirit in us. I pray our desire to know God is motivated by our love of God.

Samuel.