Seek Ye Out of the Best Books

I received the shock of my life about 3 months ago, when I was asked to be the gospel doctrine teacher in my ward.  Never in a million years would I have ever expected to called to teach that class.  I don't feel qualified in the least, but I am enjoying it more than I ever thought I could.  I love the knowledge I am gaining everyday, and I feel my testimony growing by leaps and bounds.
One thing I have really appreciated preparing the lessons each week is seeing that God has an answer in the scriptures for everything.  I have always been taught that you can find the solution to any problem in the scriptures, but I guess I never really put it to the test until now.  It's incredible what I am learning.  So, because of my increased love for the scriptures and armed with the knowledge that all of life's questions can be answered in the scriptures and through modern prophets and apostles, that is where I turned with my latest dilemma, and my latest dilemma is this:
How do we decide if something is appropriate to read or not?  How do we study world history, human nature, and the perplexities of the nations without immersing ourselves in filth?  Is a book okay to read for the lessons it may contain even if it contains things that are inappropriate?

Here is what I found:

How do we decide if something is appropriate to read or not?

We are told in the Doctrine and Covenants we should learn about

"things in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth:  things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms-" (D&C 88:79). 

That covers a lot of ground.  Clearly the Lord expects us to have a wide variety of knowledge.  . 

Elder Joe J. Christensen of the Seventy said,

"Even if we read continually, we could not read more than the smallest fraction of the books in print.  Therefore, we should not waste time reading anything that is not uplifting and instructive."  (Resolutions, Ensign 1994, Dec.) 

But is there a way to study about wars and unpleasant aspects of human nature while still studying the best books?  Pres Hinckley gives us the answer to that when he said,

" If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." (A of F 1:13)  This embraces the truth of science, the truth of philosophy, the truth of history, the truth of art.  I emphasize the word truth.  It is a principle set forth in our scripture that "the glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth." (D&C 93:36)(Come and Partake, Ensign, 1986, May) 

Moroni also tell us in chapter 7 verse 19 to "search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil."  It would therefore seem that it is my responsibility to seek learning and knowledge through truth and light.  I need to understand the universe and the human nature, and the wars of the world, but I can still study those subjects while reading books that reveal truth through the Holy Ghost and the light of Christ.  I don't need to study something evil to learn of evil.  The scriptures are from God, and we learn plenty about evil through them. 

Is it okay to read a book for the lessons it may contain even if it contains things that are inappropriate or offensive to the spirit?

In a talk given to the women of the church President Monson counseled us to,

 "fill your mind with truth. We do not find truth groveling through error. Truth is found by searching, studying, and living the revealed word of God. We adopt error when we mingle with error. We learn truth when we associate with truth."

And, It is through the Holy Ghost we may know if what we are studying is truth.  For it is through the power of the Holy Ghost that we may know the truth of all things. (Moroni 10:5).

What about books that aren't bad but aren't considered the best?  Should we be reading books that are just so,so?

To answer this question I would use the good, better, best principle.  Some books are good, others better, and still others are best.  I don't have enough time to read all of the best books in the world, so should I be spending my time on things that are only good?  In his talk Good, Better, Best Elder Dallin H. Oaks says that, "just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it," and I would add, not a sufficient reason for reading it.  He also said,"

Consider how we use our time in the choices we make in viewing television, playing video games, surfing the Internet, or reading books or magazines. Of course it is good to view wholesome entertainment or to obtain interesting information. But not everything of that sort is worth the portion of our life we give to obtain it. Some things are better, and others are best. When the Lord told us to seek learning, He said, “Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom” (D&C 88:118; emphasis added).

President Ezra Taft Benson taught:

"Today, with the abundance of books available, it is the mark of a truly educated man to know what not to read. ... Feed only on the best.  As John Wesley's mother counseled him: 'Avoid whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, ... increases the authority of the body over the mind'" ("In His Steps," in 1979 Devotional Speeches of the Year [1980], 61).

President Kimball also taught us that,

"Of all the treasures of knowledge, the most truly vital is the knowledge of God, of his existence, his powers, his love, and his promises.  Through this knowledge, we learn that our great objective in life is to build character.  In fact, we learn that the building of faith and character is paramount, for character is higher than intellect, and perfect character will be continually rewarded with increased intellect."

"Thus, our real business on earth is to master self. And as we master ourselves, we will learn to master the earth and its elements.  Most important, we will learn how to help others overcome and perfect themselves in all ways of living."

The purpose of gaining knowledge is to first change myself so that I can return to my Father in Heaven, then to gain knowledge so I can fulfill my mission here on earth, and help those around me return to our Heavenly Father.  (D&C 88:80-81)  I used to think that I was supposed to get an education so I could get a good job when I graduated from college.  While I think it is extremely important, especially for young men to have an education to provide for their families, a job is not the purpose for getting an education.  It can however be the product of a good education. 

President Kimball went on to say,

"let us seek the truth.  Let us first seek the truths of God, and then let us live them.  then let us seek after the truths of his earth.  Let us seek learning by study and also by faith. (D&C 88:118.)

"And let us remember that it is not so much what we know that is important, as what we do and what we are.  The Master's plan is a program of doing, of living, not merely knowing.  Knowledge itself is not the end.  It is how we righteously live and apply that knowledge in our own lives and how we apply it to help others that describes our character."  (Seek Learning, Even by Study and Also by Faith, Ensign 1983, September).

For lists of great books  for all ages check out The Tale of Our Quest 

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