Dallin H. Oaks
"The Book of Mormon describes that attitude among a people who depended solely 'upon their own strength and upon their own wisdom' and upon what they could 'witness with [their] own eyes.' (Hel. 16:15, 20.) Upon the basis of reason, these persons rejected the prophecies, saying, 'It is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come.' (vs. 18.) Applying that same attitude, a prominent professor dismissed the Book of Mormon with the assertion, 'You don't get books from angels. It is just that simple.'
"Those who seek gospel knowledge only by study and reason are particularly susceptible to the self-sufficiency and self-importance that sometimes characterize academic pursuits. As the apostle Paul observed in his day, 'Knowledge puffeth up.' He cautioned the learned: 'Take heed lest by any means this liberty [knowledge] of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. . . . And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?' (1 Cor. 8:1, 9, 11.)
"The apostle Peter foresaw that attitude in our time: 'There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.' (2 Pet. 3:3-4.)
"A Book of Mormon prophet described the origin and consequences of this attitude: '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.' (2 Ne. 9:28.)
"The fulfillment of these prophecies is evident in our day." (The Lord's Way, p. 47)