Albert Einstein (14 March 1879 – 18 April 1955) was a German theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics. While best known for his mass–energy equivalence formula E = mc2 (which has been dubbed "the world's most famous equation"), he received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics "for his services to theoretical physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect". The latter was pivotal in establishing quantum theory within physics.
In his lecture at Einstein's memorial, nuclear physicist Robert Oppenheimer summarized his impression of him as a person: "He was almost wholly without sophistication and wholly without worldliness . . . There was always with him a wonderful purity at once childlike and profoundly stubborn."
Albert Einstein was a noted scientist. He was considered the most intelligent individual. The scientific community hoped to discover the source of his intellegence by studying his brain. He is often quoted in lectures, science books and many movies - sometimes mis-quoted.
One of my favorite quotes:
"It has become appallingly clear that our
technology has surpassed our humanity.
I hope that someday, our humanity
might yet surpass our technology."
I could spend time writing about what I think Einstein was trying to say and I could be wrong. I do know what it means to be humane and I know what we can do to develop our humanity that it might surpass our technology.
When speaking to his people, King Benjamin, gave counsel that should inspire us in developing our humanity:
1. Teach your children.
2. Share with the poor.
3. What your thoughts, words and deeds.
President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find their roots in the teaching of children by fathers and mothers" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 79; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 60).
When instructed to care for the poor and the needy, King Benjamin did not specifically spell out what we should do. There is no single right approach to helping the needy. We should remember the principles taught by King Benjamin and seek the guidance of the Spirit in each situation. The Lord has established ways in which we can help the needy. When we give fast offerings or donate money, goods, time, or other service to the Church, we can be confident that our contributions are being used wisely.
King Benjamin taught us that we should do all things "in wisdom and order." King Benjamin taught his people that to avoid sin and maintain their commitment to God, they must watch their thoughts, words and deeds.
C.S. Lewis wrote:
"Christ says, Give me All. I don't want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want you. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half measures are any good. I don't want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down.... Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked, the whole out-fit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours." (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, p. 167.)
When we take upon the name of Christ at Baptism we are also making a covenant or accepting a contract with our Lord in heaven.
After Alma taught the people who had gathered at the place of Mormon he invited them to "come into the fold of God, and to be called his people..." As members of that fold we commit to:
"Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life."
Christ has always asked for just us. In St Mark chapter 10, Jesus counsels a rich young man:
17 ¶And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit aadultery, Do not bkill, Do not csteal, Do not bear false witness, dDefraud not, eHonour thy father and mother.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and agive to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and bfollow me.
I think when we prize our possessions, education, accomplishments, etc. above the simple sweet Gospel of Jesus Christ we have allowed "technology" to surpass our own humanity. When we decide to take our covenants seriously... those made at baptism and those made in the temple we will find that our humanity has surpassed our technology. And we will find that there is singular peace and solice in our lives.
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