Elder Merrill J. Bateman, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, taught Brigham Young University-Idaho students and employees about the Lord's promise that "nothing shall be withheld" in a devotional address given Tuesday, May 22. 

During a bleak moment, the Prophet Joseph Smith pleaded for the Lord's help, asking Him to remember the suffering saints. The result of this prayer was a remarkable revelation, the 121st section of the Doctrine and Covenants. In this section, it is revealed that adversity and afflictions would be "but a small moment" (D&C 121:7).

At that moment, the Lord also told Joseph great knowledge was about to be revealed to the earth through the power of the Holy Ghost. It would be "a time to come in which nothing will be withheld...All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed" (D&C 121: 28-31).

During the last days, all knowledge will be revealed, including the laws that govern the earth along with those that are spiritual in nature. It is for this reason the Lord has instructed us to become educated in both temporal and spiritual things.

Elder Bateman applied this idea to Church educational institutions. "Temporally, BYU-Idaho prepares you to provide for yourself and your family," he said. "Spiritually, it educates you in the laws of the kingdom so that you can contribute to the establishment of the Church. Ultimately, of course, the purpose of this educational opportunity is to bring you to Christ."

Elder Bateman taught there is pattern for revealing spiritual truths. It begins with the Lord calling a prophet, and angels are sent to instruct him. The priesthood is transmitted with its keys and powers. Through the priesthood, the gift of the Holy Ghost is given as a personal guide. In addition, a book is often provided that contains the fullness of the gospel. Prior to Joseph Smith, Moses, Ezekiel, Lehi and other prophets followed this pattern.

Next, Elder Bateman discussed the burst of secular knowledge that came about at the same time as the restoration of the Church. Economist Angus Maddison studied the world's economic growth over the last 2,000 years. He found that prior to 1820, there were few innovations and the economy was relatively the same. Between 1820 and 1830, the world economic growth took off and continued upward despite wars and famines. It is evident that after the restoration, the Lord was flooding the earth with both temporal and spiritual knowledge.

Elder Bateman examined some of the key innovations of the last 50 years and their implications for spreading the gospel. One major innovation was the United States launching a satellite in 1958. Twenty-five years ago, the Church began using satellites to communicate to members all over the world. Today, almost 87 percent of Church members are able to receive a satellite signal. "Satellites have allowed the Church to develop a global communications network that is extraordinarily important for a worldwide church," Elder Bateman said.

The Internet has also been an important innovation for the growth of the Church. It is a missionary tool where people all over the world can search for information about the Church. In addition to providing information, the Internet serves as a key method of communicating, and it serves as a source to display Church broadcasts.

The last innovation Elder Bateman mentioned is the iPod. Some call it the first consumer icon of the 21^st Century. Along with playing music, iPods can now store educational materials, where the consumer can learn a foreign language or even listen to General Conference. However, Elder Bateman warned of its dangers, saying, "Brothers and sisters, do not waste time with long periods of listening to the world's music. Rather, use the devices in productive ways to increase your understating of the world and the Lord's work."

To conclude, Elder Bateman encouraged students and faculty to use the innovations of the world to communicate positive messages and enrich their lives. The Lord has promised us he would reveal all things spiritual and temporal, but we must put that knowledge to good use.

Next week's devotional speaker will be Ken Southwick, Area Director for the Church Educational System.  Devotionals are held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Hart auditorium with additional seating in the Taylor Chapel.  Devotionals are broadcast on KBYI-FM 100.5 at 2 p.m. and rebroadcast Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.