While commenting on D&C 88, Hyrum M. Smith (1872-1918) and Janne M. Sjodahl (1853-1939) emphasised the importance of studying theology:
77. Teach one another] In this paragraph, and those following, the Lord instructs His servants to apply themselves to the study of various branches of science, and first of all to theology—“the doctrine of the kingdom.” They were to study diligently and be instructed “in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God” (v. 78). That comprises the entire range of theology—Exegetical, Historical, Systematic, and Pastoral.
Systematic theology may be divided into (1) Theology proper, which includes all that has been revealed concerning the being and attributes of the Godhead, and the relation of God to the world, in the creation and in providence. (2) Anthropology, which includes the origin and nature of man; the fall, and the effects of the fall upon the human race. (3) Soteriology, which includes the plan of salvation, the work of the Redeemer, and the application of His work for the regeneration, justification, and sanctification of man, (4) Eschatology,, which includes the doctrines concerning the last things; the state of the human spirit between death and resurrection, the Millennium, the judgment, heaven, and hell. (5) Ecclesiology, which includes the doctrine, regarding the Church; its organization and attributes, and the Priesthood.
Theology is the most important of all sciences. “They are one,” says President Brigham Young, “a great many branches of education. Some go to college to learn languages, some to study law, some to study physics, and some to study astronomy and various other branches of science. We want every branch of science taught in this place that is taught in the world. But our favorite study is that branch which particularly belongs to the Elders of Israel, namely, theology. Every Elder should become a profound theologian—should understand this branch better than all the world. (Jour. Of Dis., Vol. VI., p. 317). (Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl, Doctrine and Covenants Commentary [rev ed.; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1978], 555-56, emphasis added)
Continuing, they also emphasise the importance of studying “hard” and “soft” sciences and other related fields, showing that “anti-intellectualism” is antithetical to “Mormonism”:
But theology is not the only subject the Elders should be interested in. They should study:
79. Things both in heaven] Astronomy.
And in the earth] Everything pertaining to the cultivation of the soil.
And under the earth] Mineralogy, geology, etc.
Things which are] Current events.
Things which must shortly come to pass] Prophecies.
Things which are at home * * * abroad] Domestic and foreign policies.
Wars * * * perplexities * * * judgments] The “signs of the times,” by which the observer may know that “the day of the Lord” is at hand.
A knowledge of countries * * * kingdoms] Physical and political geography languages, etc.
These studies, the Lord considers necessary, “That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you (v. 80). God does not require all His servants to become doctors, or professors, or even profound students of these subjects, but He expects them to know enough of these things to be able to magnify their calling as His ambassadors to the world. The Latter-day Saints have, as George A. Smith remarks (Jour. Of Dis., Vol. VI., p. 84), “been constantly and continually, upon new ground”; they have had to shift for themselves, and it is only because the Elders have tried to live up to this Revelation that they have been able to find a home in a desert and make a Paradise in waste places. It is by the light of this Revelation that the Saints have been able to reach a place in the world of politics, arts, and sciences, second to none. We may say that in the school organized according to this Revelation, the seeds of the future greatness of the Church were sown. (Ibid., 556, emphasis added)
