What does it mean to make an informed decision?
We’ve all seen people rushing into decisions without asking sufficient questions, without really understanding what they were getting into. In those circumstances, slowing down and accumulating more information before committing would lead to better outcomes.
But we’ve also seen the opposite, which is sometimes called “analysis paralysis.” In that scenario, a person has gathered a reasonable amount of information but remains undecided in the hope that a new piece of information will make things clearer.
Nephi entered the city of Jerusalem as directed by the Spirit, “not knowing beforehand the things which [he] should do” (1 Nephi 4:6). This faith was rewarded, as he found himself in an unforeseeable situation which enabled him to accomplish his objective.
The Lord likewise encourages us to exercise our faith, acting on incomplete information with confidence that we will learn as we do. Between May and July 1831, Joseph Smith received multiple revelations in which God identified the boundaries of knowledge that He was willing to share, with a promise that more would be forthcoming:
- “Let my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon take their journey as soon as preparations can be made to leave their homes, and journey to the land of Missouri. And inasmuch as they are faithful unto me, it shall be made known unto them what they shall do” (Doctrine and Covenants 52:4).
- [To Sidney Gilbert] “Behold, these are the first ordinances which you shall receive; and the residue shall be made known in a time to come, according to your labor in my vineyard” (Doctrine and Covenants 53:6).
- [W. W. Phelps and Joseph Coe are instructed to travel with Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon.] “The residue shall be made known hereafter, even as I will” (Doctrine and Covenants 55:6).
- [After giving specific instructions to named individuals in Missouri] “And unto the residue of both elders and members further directions shall be given hereafter” (Doctrine and Covenants 57:16).
The lesson is clear: Acting on existing information opens the door for us to receive more knowledge. Some things will not be revealed until we act on what we already know.
Today, I will act on guidance received from God with faith that more instructions will follow. I will not wait to know everything before doing something.
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