There is an interesting story about a young boy vacationing with his parents on a Lake Michigan beach near a sand dune called Mount Baldy. That young boy and a friend were racing to the top of the sand dune when he, all of a sudden, disappeared into the sand. People and rescue crews came from all around to help find and rescue the boy. There is no record of that ever happening on a sand dune before. They found the boy 12 feet under the sand with barely any sign of life. But fortunately, they were able to revive him, and after two weeks in the hospital, they were able to get most of the sand out of his lungs, and he was sent home. University geologists and archaeologists, in trying to solve the mystery of that event, finally discovered a phenomenon unique to Mount Baldy. Over the years, the sand had moved and covered a stand of large trees. Eventually the centers of the trees rotted out, but the bark around the trees (being much more resilient) remained as an empty cone holding the sand back and forming a hollow cylinder reaching up almost to the top of the dune. The boy, running over the top of the cylindrical tree skeleton, caused the layer of sand covering it to give, and the boy disappeared down the cylindrical hole formed by the bark. He was then followed by sand. It took several years for scientist to find the answer as to how a young boy could disappear in a sand dune. A person observing the confusion that the incident caused scientists quipped that “The eye cannot see what the mind cannot comprehend.” As I read it, I thought “what a true statement.” A statement that can be applied to so many situations in life where comprehension is lacking. A person’s greater knowledge of things, in general, will make it more likely that he or she will “see” because their mind has the knowledge to comprehend. Many people believe that the only way their eyesight will improve is to either eat more carrots or get new glasses. The truth is that the best way to improve your eyesight is to gain more knowledge. A person whose knowledge is very limited will be limited by their ability to see, as their vision will be nearsighted though their eyes may have been scored as 20/20. Another, way of looking at it is that their lack of knowledge has created an astigmatism, causing them to be unable see the point of discussion clearly. Formal education will expose us to many truths as well as many half truths, and that is where a somewhat skeptical mind can help select and choose what to believe in this life. We all have limited vision because we cannot know all things nor comprehend all that the Father hath in store for us. Our vision is blurred by the limits of the environment that we have partially chosen for ourselves as well as those things that are natural limitations. Paul shared that insight with the Corinthians when he stated, ”For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12). That statement by Paul was not just in respect to spiritual things but for all things, all knowledge in general. No one needs to walk through life in darkness nor even in the shadows. There are so many paths to knowledge, even though some of those paths seem to impart only partial truths, and even when the truth provider may have good intentions and a seemingly pure heart. By keeping an honest and honorable question in our hearts in respect to all who may teach us, we may be less gullible and susceptible to erroneous teachings and advice. The scriptures are replete with warnings about false teachers. The scriptures warn us to be cautious: “Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.” (2 Chronicles 15:3) Mark also admonishes:
“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Mark 7:7) In Alma, as well, we read of one who came teaching false doctrine and many followed and were deceived, but Alma, by the power of the priesthood, confounded Korihor, whereby he confessed as follows: “But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God. And he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me that which I should say. And I have taught his words; and I taught them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I taught them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true; and for this cause I withstood the truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon me.” (Alma 30:52) Through all periods of time, even since the very beginning, false and vain teachers have made claims of authority and, in so doing, dissuade many from the plain and simple truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We all must discern between those who are true disciples and those who are charlatans. The Prophet Ether speaks of a time when:
“…they were taught to walk humbly before the Lord; and they were also taught from on high.”(Ether 6:17) Before Christ was crucified, he taught that He would send the Holy Ghost to teach them (and us) all truths and that we are all eligible to receive such instruction by living worthy of and seeking His companionship. I am confident and feel that this is a true statement; the more we know the more we see and comprehend, for “we cannot see that which we do not comprehend.”