By Allison Jones
jones@newsroom.byu.edu
Building a strong foundation based on preparation and principle is key to understanding truth, said Earl M. Woolley, dean of the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.
At Tuesday's devotional, Woolley told students to build a solid foundation through in-depth study and experience.
'We can apply the principle of building on a strong solid foundation in our academic pursuits and in everything else we do. That foundation is preparation,' Woolley said.
Woolley emphasized the importance of the scriptures' in building solid foundations based on the gospel of Jesus Christ.
'We should fill our lives with actions based on principles of the gospel and on the chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ,' Woolley said.
The opportunity to grow comes when one completes even the smallest tasks and challenges, Woolley said.
Woolley said he experienced the hardships of going back to the basics of science and mathematics in order to understand more sophisticated scientific developments.
'Had I simply given greater effort earlier in life to understanding basic principles, I would have saved myself and others considerable time,' Woolley said.
Perspective is an important element to understanding purpose and growth, he said.
Woolley compared chemistry examples to understanding perspective.
In one example, collected data measuring the heat capacity of sodium nitrate was plotted on a graph. The few points on the graph showed a limited view of heat capacity.
After extensive research, the additional information made it possible for chemists to make more accurate predictions for heat capacity, Woolley said.
With more information, the perspective changed.
'It is only when we see all the data that we can rationalize and formulate with confidence,' Woolley said.
Gaining more knowledge and experience will broaden perspectives.
The deeper and broader our database of knowledge and experience is, the greater likelihood we have to know and understand truth, he said.
We can also gain perspective through the experiences and observations of others, Woolley said.
Woolley asked students to not only learn knowledge, but understand truth while at BYU.
'Do not compromise your future capability and productivity by losing sight of your goal that you are here to learn and to really understand both spiritual and academic matters,' Woolley said.
See related story:
Perspective comes from gaining knowledge and truth 10/3/2000