“Lean Not unto Thine Own Understanding” | Gary E. Stevenson | January 2014

As a young missionary in Japan, struggling to learn a very difficult language.

There were some vocabulary words which I heard early and often.

Greetings such as ohayo gozaimasu or konichiwa were two of these, but another was wakarimasen.

This means, I don't understand.

And this word, along with this hand expression that is used in Japan, which is a side-to-side hand expression, this seems to be one of the favorite responses from Japanese contacts directed towards young missionaries as they attempt to strike up conversations.

It seems that the answer was always, わかりません。 Now, initially as I reflected upon the meaning of, and with all thy getting, get understanding, I thought of understanding more in terms of this type of comprehension, what I might hear with my ears and understand with my mind.

I thought of the Japanese saying, wakarimasen, understanding.

more as, do I understand or do I not understand? And with all thy getting, get understanding, or make certain to obtain a higher level of comprehension.

However, as I have observed and studied the use of the word understanding in the scriptures or from words of living prophets, I have come to realize a deeper meaning.

So I'd like you to consider very carefully the words by Robert D. Hales, and you'll have to listen closely to these because there's great content in what he has said here.

First, we start with the intelligence with which we were born.

To our intelligence, we add knowledge as we search for answers, study, and educate ourselves.

To our knowledge, we add experience, which should lead us to a level of wisdom.

In addition to our wisdom, we add the help of the Holy Ghost through our prayers of faith, asking for spiritual guidance and strength.

Then, and only then, do we reach an understanding in our hearts which motivates us to do what is right, let the consequence follow.

The feelings of an understanding heart give us the sweet spirit of assurance of not only knowing, but doing what is right, no matter what the circumstances.

The understanding in our hearts comes from a close relationship interdependence of study and prayer.

Now consider again with what we've just read and with all thy getting-get understanding.

Understanding in this context follows intelligence, knowledge, experience, wisdom, and prompting from the Holy Ghost.

all of which lead us to understanding to know and do what is right.