Lent Photo-a-Day 3/11: Wise

Ayres Hall
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
© 2013 Kristina Plaas
Today's photo topic brought to mind two of my favorite things -- the University of Tennessee and the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. As the daughter of  a UT professor, I grew up on campus. I went on to get two college degrees at UT (to go with one from Vanderbilt). I've been blessed with the opportunity to be well-educated. But being intelligent and well-educated does not assure that you are a wise person. Wisdom comes from life experience, making decisions, making mistakes, and learning from the experiences of others. Wise people do not need to be well-educated to make good choices if they are in tune with God. I know a number of highly educated people who lack wisdom, though they believe themselves to be very wise, very shrewd. The best combination is to be educated and wise -- a lofty goal. A favorite scripture verse from the Book of Mormon addresses this idea:

O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.
2 Nephi 9:28-29
 The wisest people follow God and keep His commandments. They do what God wants them to do.  It's hard sometimes and it requires much humility and courage, but I am blessed when I choose well, when I am wise.

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