The faulty reasoning of man is well illustrated by these passages. People with hardened hearts discount any evidence of the divine in human affairs. They look to their own limited understanding and depend exclusively on their own senses as a source for knowledge. We see that a philosophy such as that of Korihor is often embraced by those who know not the dealings of God: “Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ” (Alma 30:15). He claims, furthermore, that “every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength” (Alma 30:17). Let us beware lest the finite reasoning of man demean the power and goodness of God. We are so lacking in knowledge and wisdom that we are wise to act with faith so as to enjoy the blessings of God.
As mortals we should come to realize, as Moses did, that mortal man is nothing in comparison to God (see Moses 1:10). His ways are not our ways (see Isaiah 55:8–9). Jacob wisely counsels: “O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God” (2 Nephi 9:28–29).
When we lack understanding, we should not retreat into a state of non-belief but rather inquire of the Lord (see 1 Nephi 15:3, 8; James 1:5). We should exercise faith—which pleases God (see Hebrews 11:6)—in order to believe the words of the prophets, just as Alma the Elder did the words of Abinadi (see Alma 5:11–12). Alma the Younger encourages us to exercise faith and experiment upon the word so as to know that it is good (see Alma 32:27). The two thousand stripling warriors—the sons of Helaman—had faith and believed the things their mothers had taught them and were blessed (see Alma 57:21, 26). This becomes the standard for understanding because it brings the virtue of humility into our lives, which is the beginning of spiritual growth.