“I Do Not Know All Things” – Words of Mormon 1:7

When Nephi was asked a difficult question, he responded first with something he knew—”I know that [God] loveth his children”—but then followed up with an acknowledgement of his limitations—”nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things” (1 Nephi 11:17).

When Ammon asked King Lamoni if he believed in God, Lamoni answered, “I do not know what that meaneth” (Alma 18:25). In answer to a subsequent question, he said, “I believe that he created all things which are in the earth; but I do not know the heavens” (Alma 18:29).

Acknowledging the boundaries of our knowledge is a prerequisite to learning, and it is also a prerequisite to faith. When Mormon explains the inclusion of the unabridged small plates of Nephi in his record, he admits that he doesn’t understand why he feels inspired to do this:

I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will.
(Words of Mormon 1:7)

Today, I will strive to recognize and acknowledge what I don’t know. I will remember that my path to learning and my path to faith may begin with an understanding of my limitations.