--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Ivins, Anthony W. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 29 number: 10 published: 1926-08 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Ivins, Anthony W., “The Glory of God Is Intelligence,” *Improvement Era* 29, no. 10 (August 1926): 915–919." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera29010unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera29010unse start_page: 915 end_page: 919 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1926-08) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera29010unse publication_year: 1926 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1926, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Glory of God Is Intelligence Improvement Era Vol. XXIX AUGUST, 1926 No. 10 "THE GLORY OF GOD IS INTELLIGENCE"* By President Anthony W. Ivins After the beautiful and impressive presentation of this motto which we have just witnessed, one feels reluctant to make comment upon it. The thought came to me that it might, perhaps, be better to leave it without further consideration. "The Glory of God is Intelligence," a beautiful sentence which had its origin, so far as we are aware, with the founder, under God, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Definition "When the invitation was extended to me to be present and address you for a few moments this evening, taking this motto of the "Mutual Improvement Associations for my text, I asked myself a question which I had never before propounded, although I had often thought of it. What is the intelligence which is the glory of God? The more I thought, and searched for an answer, the more I became convinced that I could as well undertake to define the limits of time and space as to explain to you all that is comprehended in those few words. What is intelligence? was the question I asked, and under what circumstances does it become the glory of God? The best human definition, to my mind, which I have been able to discover, tells us that intelligence is that which sees itself, or is at once subject and object, embracing the entire progress of knowledge. When I looked in my encyclopedia, expecting to find an answer there, I was surprised to discover that there was none. The book referred me *A sermon delivered in the General Session, M. I. A. and Primary conference. Salt Lake City, Sunday evening, June 13, 1926. Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter. Acceptance for wailing at special rate of postage provided for in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 2, 1918, $2 per annum. Address Room 40 6, Church Office Building, Salt Lake City, Utah. 916 IMPROVEMENT ERA to Reason and Logic, neither of which appeared to me to provide a satisfactory answer. Joseph Smith, who, so far as I am aware, through the inspira- tion of the Lord, was the originator of the phrase, tells us that intelligence was not created nor made, neither can it be. It must, then, be a self-existent, eternal principle, or truth. Perhaps the simplest definition which we can give, and one I suppose which we all apply to it, is that it is the capacity or power to know, or understand. Reason is the most Godlike faculty with which the Creator has endowed man. Man alone, of all of his crea- tions, is endowed with it. It is an intellectual endowment which dis- tinguishes man from the brute creation. The animals, while possessed of great intelligence, are without reason, and act without a proper concep- tion of the purpose for which action is taken. Man, upon the other hand, reasons from cause to effect, and is governed, or perhaps I should say ought to be governed, by the conclusions which he thus reaches. Intelligence, which we glorify tonight, if exercised without the ap- plication of the endowment of reason, can never open the gates or heaven to mankind. Intelligence, improperly applied, may lead to greater evil, or wrong doing, than instinct, or intelligence of less degree, is capable of. I think that no argument is necessary on this question to satisfy you that it is true, it comes under your observation daily in the lives of men with whom you come in contact. Intelligence must not be confounded with knowledge. It is true that great intelligence may be possessed without great knowledge, as we define the word. It is just as true that great knowledge cannot be acquired without intelligence. If asked to define this slogan, as I think it might be more properly stated, I would say: The righteous application of intel- ligence is the Glory of God. Unless the intelligence with which he has endowed us is applied in righteousness, it does not glorify his name. One of our poets has said: "Freedom and reason make us men, Take these away, what are we then? Mere animals, and just as well The beasts may think of heaven or hell." The Example of Nebuchadnezzar I would like to present two examples which will, I believe, illustrate the idea that I desire to leave with you. Nebuchadnezzar was without doubt the greatest ruler that the kingdom of Babylon knew. He had effected the conquest of adjacent nations, had carried his conquests into Palestine, and had brought Israel, God's covenant people, under his dominion. While he and his generals, and the rulers of this vast empire were assembled together in that greatest of all "THE GLORY OF GOD IS INTELLIGENCE" 917 cities of its time, in dimensions, in magnificence, and strength of contruction, surrounded by his courtiers, fortified by his great army, this man cried out: "Is not this great Babylon, which I have builded by the strength of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?" And immediately the voice of the Lord came, telling him that his kingdom had departed from him, and was given to others. And •that very night reason left him. He still possessed intelligence, still ate and drank; but, bereft of reason, wasi reduced to the condition of the animals. He could no longer direct his armies, no longer control the affairs of his great government, but we are told that he ate grass like an ox, and that hair grew on his unkempt body until the time passed when he was sufficiently humbled. Then the Lord restored his reason, and Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged his allegiance to him, and entered into covenant that he would serve him, and no other. The Example of Solomon How striking is the contrast between this boastful man, and the attitude of another great ruler. At the death of David, the king- dom of Israel, which at the time was at the very zenith of its strength and power, was given to his son Solomon, and this is what the young man said: "And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. "And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. "And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? "And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. "And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; "Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee." The Power of Humility I have read this, my brethren and sisters, in the hope that it will impress on your minds the importance of willing humility and unselfish service to God our Father. It is he who has endowed us with this priceless gift of intelligence, controlled by us as it is, or should be, with reason. He loves a humble spirit. He loves a willing worker and a willing giver. 918 IMPROVEMENT ERA The Master himself, in illustration of this principle gave us the following parable: "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, the other a publican. "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, and give tithes of all that I possess. "And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. "Christ said: I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other." * Not because he was a Publican, was he justified before the other, not because the other man was a Pharisee, but because one in humility acknowledged his transgressions, and pleaded for mercy, while the other glorified himself because of his superior righteousness in observing the outward requirements of the law. The Pharisee was a man who relig- iously followed established ritual, and was so tied to the old Jewish forms of religion that he refused to accept new light, he refused to recog- nize the Redeemer when he came, and did more than any other to bring his doctrines into disrepute, and finally to send the Christ to the cross. The Publican was a collector of taxes, and was hated by the people because of the burdens which he placed upon them; it was his duty under the law, and he discharged it. If you will read the scripture carefully you will discover that it was from this sect that the Redeemer chose some of his disciples, and that many Publicans were among those who followed after him. Not because they were Publicans, but because of their humility, and desire to at- tain to eternal life. Intelligence Not to be Confused with Worldly Knowledge Intelligence, as I have said, must not be confused with worldly knowledge. Christ our Lord, the Son of God, our Advocate with the Father, was not a learned man, as worldly learning, during the time of his mortal administration, was understood, and yet intel- ligence was in him as no other man possessed it: intelligence which brought to the people of the world redemption from death, and salvation and exaltation in his presence, through repentance from sin, and obedience to the will of his Father. The Contribution of Joseph Smith Joseph Smith was not a man profoundly learned, as we define knowledge, in our worldly way, yet this man, whose ministry began when he was but a boy in years, but a man in understanding, gave to the world in the restoration of the gospel, in the Book of Mormon, in the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church, thoughts, principles, and doctrines of life and salvation which, during the century that has "THE GLORY OF GOD IS INTELLIGENCE" 919 passed, have not been duplicated by the learning of man; nor can they be, for the wisdom of man cannot pen the word of God as he wrote it in these books, and yet men do not accept it, any more than thei Pharisees accepted the words of the Redeemer of the world. The contribution made by Joseph Smith to the modern world in which we live revealed God as he is, his personality, his attributes. Joseph made clear to a doubting and unbelieving world that Christ, our Lord, crucified at Jerusalem, and raised from the dead, still lives, that he is a man, as he was when he ministered in the flesh, not a mortal, but a glorified, exalted man, whose spirit now occupies a celestial body. We do not Ignore Scientific Investigations Do not confuse this motto of ours, this word intelligence which is written there, with worldly learning. Neither should we ignore the great development which has come to the world through the scientific investigations of men who delve into the unknown in search of new truths. It is the Lord who inspires them to go on and on, pioneering in new fields, and they have given to us inestimable temporal blessings which we enjoy tonight. This, radio which carries my voice, and the voices of these singers to their home folk at Los Angeles, without visible means of transmission, is only one of the many blessings which have come to us through the application of intelligence, governed by reason, and we are only at the thresh- hold of that which is to come in this age of enlightenment, all of which will go to show humanity that God the creator is the giver, and which will eventually result in the union of true science and religion, when the Lord will be recognized as the author of all. May the blessings of the Lord be with all who are associated with this work. I love it. I found myself in tears today, and saw many others who were affected in the same manner, as I witnessed the demonstration given by the Primary Association, tears of joy, thanks- giving and praise for the outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord, which has been manifested during this gathering of the young people of the Church. God bless you, my brethren and sisters, I humbly pray, through Jesus Christ. Amen. Prejudice A lie — case-hardened in the mind, And crystalized by hate, The coin of error stamped from sect The biased narrow plate Of reason. Dwarfed and warping In a brain deceived and bent An error guised and painted, As a fact, grown unrelent. Helena, Montana LE MAX SAXON