Dr. Jae R.
Ballif, then-dean of the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at
Brigham Young University said the following about the importance of both
intellectual and spiritual pursuits, and that they are not mutually exclusive,
contra some errant members of the Church:
Many members of the Church make a sharp
distinction between the ‘religious’ and the ‘secular.’ They often imply that
the secular is less important and yet includes many broad disciplines of learning,
includes the sciences. As Latter-day Saints we should know better than this. Our
vital task is to distinguish truth from error and pursue the truth wherever it
is found. All truth, not just that encompassed by a narrow definition of the
world ‘religious,’ can help us toward eternal salvation and toward eventual
godhood. Unfortunately, many try to be godlike in their personal
characteristics, but refuse to accept the responsibility for gaining knowledge
and wisdom. To become like Him we must acquire His personal characteristics and
His wisdom. (as cited by Karen Lynn, “What
kind of emphasis should we as Latter-day Saints place on intellectual activities
and pursuits?,” New Era, September
1975)
Elsewhere in
this article, the author, Karen Lynn, refutes the tired claim that Latter-day
Saints place women in a subservient position and dislike their being educated;
on the contrary, Lynn wrote:
“Girls don’t need to follow intellectual
pursuits.” What a misconception! Our church leaders have never counseled that
girls should be content with a second-rate education. Even if your work is
centered exclusively around your home, being wise enough to know the value of
intellectual pursuits can make all the difference. Be the housewife who can
transform the dreaded ironing hour into the opportunity to aim one ear toward
the stereo to enjoy the fine music, the play, or the language lesson that means
so much to you. Be the mother who can give your children creative experiences
in the arts, sciences, languages, or music, rather than the mother who rears a
generation of TV watchers.
