Common Sense
A fine German brother and former mission president said to me one day as he helped me build a room in our house: “I go to Sunday School and listen to all kinds of gospel interpretations. I have decided not to believe anything that doesn’t make good ‘horses senses.’”
Faith takes us beyond knowledge, but I don’t see how any interpretation of the scripture can be enlightening if we don’t understand it. I think too that we should question interpretations that contradict common sense, good judgment, verified experience, and the counsel of wise and good men and women. I believe reason should confirm what we believe to be the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and I believe we also should check our own thinking by the Holy Spirit.
Oliver Cowdery, in his failure to translate the Book of Mormon, learned the necessity of combining thinking with divine inspiration in the work of the Lord. (See D&C 9:7-10.) I believe the counsel given to him applies to the interpretation of scripture as well as to its translation.
In Christ’s great summary of the religious life he said, repeating an ancient law, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37. Italics added.)
An interpretation of scripture can be trusted when it (1) is consistent with gospel fundamentals and with the teachings and spirit of Christ, (2) is confirmed by the promptings of the Spirit, 93) appeals to our ethical judgment, and (4) has won agreement among persons of good will. Of such a nature as this is the memorable revelation received by President Spencer W. Kimball on June 8, 1978, in which the priesthood was made available to all worthy male members in the Church regardless of race. This revelation is wholly consistent with the impartiality of God, the love of Christ, and the free agency of man. It appeals to our ethical judgment, has been received by men and women of good will, and has been confirmed by the Holy Spirit in the minds and hearts of Church leaders and members overwhelmingly. It has been accepted by the Church and has become part of our modern scripture, the Doctrine and Covenants. (Lowell L. Bennion, “Scriptures: Values and Limitations,” in The Best of Lowell L. Bennion: Selected Writings 1928-1988, ed. Eugene England [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1988], 211-12)