*This is the second post (of three) in this series where I discuss my thoughts about the Scripture essay in Adam S. Miller’s book, Letters to a Young Mormon. You can find posts the other two posts here and here.
“You’ll need faith to undertake these translations as acts of repentance. You’ll have to trust that the books can withstand your scrutiny and you’ll have to trust that God, despite their antiquity, can be contemporary in them. The Lord counseled Joseph that, “as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88: 118). This is good, though circuitous, advice. On one hand, if you lack faith, seek wisdom out of the best books. On the other hand, if you lack wisdom, seek learning by faith. Your ability to translate with power will depend on your faith and it will be amplified by your familiarity with the world’s best books. The wider you read in Laozi, Shakespeare, Austen, Dogen, Plato, Dante, Krishna, Sappho, Goethe, Confucius, Tolstoy, and Homer, the better off you’ll be. The more familiar you are with Israelite histories, Near Eastern archeologies, and secular biblical scholarship, the richer your translations will be rendered. Don’t be afraid for scripture and don’t be afraid of these other books. Claim it all as your own. Doubtless, the world’s best books have their flaws, but this just means that they too must be translated. You’ll need to translate them so that they can contribute to your own translations. As long as these other books help you to translate repentance, then you’re still doing it right.“
I have definitely found this to be true for me personally. Over the past few years I have read a lot and learned a lot through other resources (podcasts, online classes/programs, etc.) Reading other books and learning from other sources (besides the scriptures) deepens my desire to read my scriptures. When I am actively pursuing knowledge from wholesome “worldly” sources, I find that my scripture study is enriched. And vice versa, I find this to be the case as well. When I am actively studying my scriptures, and really seeking to to translate them for myself, I find that my learning through other “worldly” sources is enriched.
I also feel these similar feelings when it comes to temple attendance. My temple experience is enriched and enlivened when I am intentionally and actively studying my scriptures and seeking knowledge from other wholesome sources. And when I am gaining knowledge and inspiration through the scriptures and other sources, I have a greater desire to go to the temple.
“President John Taylor, the third President of the Church, said: “We ought to foster education and intelligence of every kind; cultivate literary tastes, and men of literary and scientific talent should improve that talent; and all should magnify the gifts which God has given unto them. … If there is anything good and praiseworthy in morals, religion, science, or anything calculated to exalt and ennoble man, we are after it. But with all our getting, we want to get understanding, and that understanding which flows from God” (The Gospel Kingdom, sel. G. Homer Durham [1943], 277).” link
I like how Adam Miller points out that “as long as these other books help you to translate repentance, then you’re still doing it right.” This gives me comfort and helps me to move forward with confidence. If the things that I am learning from non scripture sources are moving me forward on the path back to Heavenly Father and they are motivating me to repent and become better, then I am doing it right.
