Intelligence As Metaphysical Behavior

[dougtheavenger]

In a previous topic; "Spiritual Valiance..", I stated that what we think of today as intelligence is a metaphysical pattern of behavior developed in our premortal existence. This was challenged by another poster. So, I think that concept is worthy of a discussion of it's own and I hope to have more help in defending it than I got in my previous thread.

How do spirits develop? From the Book of Abraham - Chapter 3, we get the following

22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;

23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.

So we see that inequality had developed in the pre-mortal existence. However, nothing in our doctrines say that these inequalities are either inherent or permanent. Lucifer is reputed to have achieved a high level of spiritual development before his rebellion against God. Being one of the "noble and great ones" is no guarantee of celestial glory, nor is it determined that spirits who were far from being noble or great in the pre-mortal existence can not attain a celestial glory.

[Maidservant]

Obviously, anything we discuss on this matter is going to be highly speculative, and each person will have their personal conception or reconciliation of what intelligence is, with reference to a few things in the book of Abraham, D & C, and no doubt some sayings by prophets and church leaders over the years.

Not least, we have "The glory of God is intelligence." Which is helpful as it gives a direct equation or definition . . . oh, except wait, I've never quite figured out exactly what glory is, either.

I've thought quite a bit on intelligence, but again, I would be hard pressed to be able to be certain on it for myself, much less to make sure others ought to think the same way. BUT . . . I do admit that I love thinking on these type of subjects, and I am not one to say that they cannot be discussed, I think we should.

In a previous topic; "Spiritual Valiance..", I stated that what we think of today as intelligence is a metaphysical pattern of behavior developed in our premortal existence. This was challenged by another poster. So, I think that concept is worthy of a discussion of it's own and I hope to have more help in defending it than I got in my previous thread.

I also do not conceive of intelligence as behavioral. I tend to consider myself as intelligence to have existed before being born or brought into the events or life stage we normally think of as pre-mortal life, as presided over by our Father in heaven. But I don't really know that. While I personally like the word metaphysical, and find it handy for several things . . . I need to remember this is not a scriptural word.

How do spirits develop? From the Book of Abraham - Chapter 3, we get the following

22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;

23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.

So we see that inequality had developed in the pre-mortal existence. However, nothing in our doctrines say that these inequalities are either inherent or permanent. Lucifer is reputed to have achieved a high level of spiritual development before his rebellion against God. Being one of the "noble and great ones" is no guarantee of celestial glory, nor is it determined that spirits who were far from being noble or great in the pre-mortal existence can not attain a celestial glory.

I have always considered that Satan possessed no intelligence (as conceived of in these scriptures, not the modern vernacular of the word), as (to me) intelligence is related to life and glory, and Satan or that which he represents is outside of the narrow way of Life. But I don't know that.

You speak of attaining celestial glory, and indeed many do speak like this, even the scriptures have ways of talking like that.

However . . . the full potential of the children of God can only be enjoyed and revealed as a community (family). We must be One. Discussing equalities and inequalities is a complete tangent.

We will be One.

Here is another thing I think further regarding intelligence: all created things (life) have intelligence. My cells have massive amounts of intelligence. My consciousness (my spirit) does NOT (seem to) direct the processes of my cells. Yet they do what they have been created to do and they are full of life, and by their service (the service of my cells) . . . I am also living. So I rely on my cells, and their charity and their intelligence, in order for me to Be in mortality. I may be considered the Head of them, but how do I take that stewardship? In charity or tyranny?

Lots more I would love to discuss on Intelligence, but will have to wait until after church.

[Nathair/|\]

I once attended a Know Your Religion with a Dr. Draper on Light, Truth and Grace.

He suggested that Intelligence was like a box that held Truth and that how much Truth we could hold was determined by the size of our Intelligence box. He then suggested that by adding Light, we could increase the size of our box so it could hold more Truth. It was in '96, so I don't remember what all scriptures he used to support his position.

[CV75]

How do spirits develop? From the Book of Abraham - Chapter 3, we get the following

From a word search of “intelligence” in D&C (93, 88 and 130):

Intelligence is the light of truth, light and truth, the glory of God. It was not created nor made. It acts for itself. It cleaves to itself, or principles cleave to each other and so can be attained and gained (gathered) by man.

From a word search of “spirit” in these same sections and 84:

Man is spirit. The devil is spirit. God is Spirit. Spirits (small “s”) may receive light from God (capital “S”). Light (intelligence and its principles) come from Spirit. Spirits (small “s”) may become strong in Spirit.

From Abraham 3:18-22

The spirits of men possess intelligence (principles of intelligence) and are “gnolaum,” or eternal, in this sense of the word. Possessing intelligence may be that man (a spirit) is a principle of intelligence. The use of the word “intelligences” in verse 21 may refer to individual principles or to spirits. As the principle of intelligence are organized, their possessing spirits become noble and great. As the spirits are organized, we have a gathering, just as when saints are organized and gathered in this world.

Many other connections can be made between what is said about intelligence, light, truth, fullness, glory, the Word, the Spirit, spirit, man, grace, power, knowledge, things, all things, agency and existence, but it would take all day!

It seems that spirits follow the same pattern we see here, line upon line, precept upon precept, all dependent upon God, who is "more intelligent than they all (combined)" but whose work and glory is in that they become one with Him.

[CV75]

He then suggested that by adding Light, we could increase the size of our box so it could hold more Truth.

This is interesting in that someone in authority once explained to me that light is the raw material from which all things are made.

[volgadon]

I once attended a Know Your Religion with a Dr. Draper on Light, Truth and Grace.

He suggested that Intelligence was like a box that held Truth and that how much Truth we could hold was determined by the size of our Intelligence box. He then suggested that by adding Light, we could increase the size of our box so it could hold more Truth. It was in '96, so I don't remember what all scriptures he used to support his position.

I wonder if this anything like the rather long talk I heard him give in district conference in Jerusalem 2008.

Edited August 28, 2011 by volgadon

[BlueDreams]

Personally it reminds me of the parable of the talents all of us were given some immense capability prior to our coming to earth. We are all expected to use this gift to its fullest. Since intelligence is God's glory then the intelligence is necessarily an inherent trait that we own, but something God has given to us (right v priviledge idea....intelligence is a priviledge). Therefore I wouldn't necessarily call the distinctions of intelligence between the great and noble and others as inequality but individualized expectation. God gives us much, so far more is required of us. Intelligence is more under the line of personal stewardship than anything else.

Whatever amount of intelligence given, it is all given for the glory of God, which is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. It is all for His purpose and insists that we are dependent one to another....to rely on each other. Noble and great, to me is more of qualifications for a specific task (that HF generally outlines as being His rulers).

So we see that inequality had developed in the pre-mortal existence. However, nothing in our doctrines say that these inequalities are either inherent or permanent. Lucifer is reputed to have achieved a high level of spiritual development before his rebellion against God. Being one of the "noble and great ones" is no guarantee of celestial glory, nor is it determined that spirits who were far from being noble or great in the pre-mortal existence can not attain a celestial glory

All spirits are inherently made to fulfill God's purpose. His purpose was to bring us back to His presense...to have eternal life. So, yes, noble and great is no golden ticket to the CK.

with luv,

BD