Intelligence(s)

D&C 93:29. "Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be."

I want to say two words about the word "intelligence." Lego [legere, legi, lectus] in Latin means "read." I'm also given to understand that the original meaning was "to choose," and that the "reading" sense came from the ability to choose the correct meaning for a set of characters. To pick out, etc. Inter-lego would of course mean "to read between" or comprehend as well as "to choose between." Intelligence [intellego, intellegere, intellegi, intellectus] is therefore a particularly apt word for that eternal part of man from which spirit was created: that which comprehends, chooses between, and acts.

Note that "intelligence" is sometimes referred to as "spirit" also, which could potentially be confusing. "For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy." There's more to say on that subject, as well as on another kind of "choosing": election. Key words there are "bachar," translated from the Hebrew as "chosen" but also meaning "acceptable" or "appointed", and "many are called, few are chosen."

-Max

--
"The presentation or 'gift' of the Holy Ghost simply confers upon a man the right to receive at any time, when he is worthy of it and desires it, the power and light of truth of the Holy Ghost, although he may often be left to his own spirit and judgment." --Joseph F. Smith (manual, p. 69)

Be pretty if you are,
Be witty if you can,
But be cheerful if it kills you.