Wisdom

1. Definition:
1. 1828: The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness.
1. Knowledge (information)
2. Choice (decision)
3. Discerning (perceptive)
1. Having wisdom is having a clear understanding of something. But not only having the information (for having denotes only knowledge), rather, having a clear idea of how to use the knowledge for good.
2. Quotes:
1. “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” (William Arthur Ward)
1. This quote does not even mention wisdom. But I think it’s very telling of what wisdom is. The realist here actually does something to change his situation. He applies his knowledge and actually tries to change his situation for the better.
2. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” (The Serenity Prayer)
1. The difference between submission and active change is the attribute of wisdom. A wise man knows that difference, and acts on it.
3. “We may know so much, yet learn so little. ‘Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?’ Again I ask, Where is wisdom?...Wisdom is to be found in pure intelligence—in that divine light which can guide people in all countries, all climes, and all continents.” (Russell M. Nelson, Where is Wisdom)
3. Scriptures:
1. “And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” (Doctrine and Covenants 88: 118)
1. We are told that we must seek and teach wisdom to others. That we can gain that wisdom through study and faith.
2. “And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship” (Exodus 31: 3)
1. To restate this verse with Hebraic definitions added (found here: http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/40_exodus2.html): “And I have filled him with the spirit of God, with the ability to distinguish between the good and the bad, and with the ability to discern the processes of construction, and with an intimate ability to perform the tasks, and in all manner of workmanship”
3. “O be wise; what can I say more?” (Jacob 6:12)
4. Personal Definition:

Wisdom is perceiving the difference between the good and evil choices and acting on those. We must seek and teach wisdom to others. We are told to be wise, and if we are there is not much else we can do to be better.

Work

1. Definition:
1. 1828: To be in action or motion; as the working of the heart.
1. Action (activity)
2. Motion (progress)
1. To work is to engage in the activity of progress.
2. Quotes from Prophets:
1. “the gospel of work is part of “the fulness of the gospel.” Though joyful, missionary work is work. Though joyful, temple work is work. Alas, a few of our underwhelmed youth work all right, but mostly at trying to please themselves.” (Neal A. Maxwell, General Conference, April 1998)
1. Work is essential to living the gospel. Work requires effort. It is rewarding.
2. “A balance of work needs to be orchestrated, because some forms of work tend to dominate other forms, like fathers working late at the office too often. Our preferred chores need little encouragement just as in Elder Spencer Condie’s paraphrase of Strauss’s warning to orchestra conductors: “Never give an encouraging nod to the brass section, or you’ll never hear the strings again!”” (Neal A. Maxwell, General Conference, April 1998)
1. We need to prioritize our work. If we don’t the important things are left out. Our work is for nothing.
3. Scriptures:
1. “And by your hands I will work a marvelous work among the children of men, unto the convincing of many of their sins, that they may come unto repentance, and that they may come unto the kingdom of my Father.” (Doctrine  and Covenants 18: 44)
1. This verse shows that 1) God works for us, and 2) He works through us to aid those he needs.
4. Personal Definition:

Work is ordained of God, in fact even he does it. We need to balance the different forms of work. God uses us in his work, if we are willing and worthy.

Water

1. Definition
1. 1828: A fluid, the most abundant and most necessary for living beings of any in nature, except air. water when pure, is colorless, destitute of taste and smell, ponderous, transparent, and in a very small degree compressible. It is reposited in the earth in inexhaustible quantities, where it is preserved fresh and cool, and from which it issues in springs, which form streams and rivers. But the great reservoirs of water on the globe are the ocean, seas and lakes, which cover more than three fifths of its surface, and from which it is raised by evaporation, and uniting with the air in the state of vapor, is wafted over the earth, ready to be precipitated in the form of rain, snow or hail.
1. Water is water. The end.
2. Quotes from Prophets
1. “The living water is the gospel of Jesus Christ; its communicator is the Holy Ghost. My friend knew what was right. She had said the appropriate words to her family. But only when she humbled herself enough to drink of the water—to feel the Holy Spirit—could she begin to heal.” (Kathleen H. Hughes, General Conference, April 2003)
1. The water that can quench thirst is the gospel, the holy ghost is the one that can deliver it to you. Without it, you can see the water, but can not lift the vessel to your parched lips.
3. Scriptures
1. “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14)
1. The water is the gospel, just as water grants life, so does this eternal water grant eternal life.
4. Personal Definition

Water is a representation of the gospel. It brings life, the gospel brings eternal life. It helps seeds grow, the gospel helps us to grow. In every aspect water is closely associated with the gospel.

War

1. War:
1. Definition:
1. 1828: Hostility; state of opposition or contest; act of opposition.
1. Hostility (Enmity)
2. Opposition (Resistance)
3. Contest (Challenge)
2. Heart at War
1. Definition:
1. Anatomy of Peace: “Where we see others as objects...to be conquered, and to justify ourselves in our own actions”
1. Objects (item)
2. Conquer (defeat)
3. Justify (defend)
3. Quotes:
1. “There was never a good war, or a bad peace” (Ben Franklin)
1. War is always bad, peace is always good.
2. “If we are going to find lasting solutions to difficult conflicts or external wars we find ourselves in, we first need to find our way out of the internal wars that are poisoning our thoughts, feelings, and attitudes toward others. If we can’t put an end to the violence within us, there is no hope for putting an end to the violence without.” (Yusuf al-Falah, Anatomy of Peace, Pg 64)
1. The only real solution to any war, is this, you must find peace in yourself, before you can create it.
4. Personal Definition:

A Heart at War is a heart that causes problems. When we are at war inside, we cannot do anything to do good. Once we achieve inner peace, however, we can start to make real lasting changes to the world around us, as well as the world inside.