It is possible to be both professionally excellent and to be a person of faith, Ross Spencer said during the BYU campus devotional Tuesday, March 30, in the Marriott Center.

Photo courtesy of BYU

Ross Spencer, Chairman of BYU's Physics and Astronomy department spoke at BYU's campus devotional held March 30, 2010.

"I'm going to tell you today that striving for this kind of balance in your life is the best way to live," said Brother Spencer, who is chairman of BYU's Physics and Astronomy Department.

He shared an account about Brigham Young calling Karl G. Maeser to rescue the struggling Brigham Young Academy, an assignment he began in 1876. President Young charged Brother Maeser to remember that "you ought not to teach even the alphabet or the multiplication tables without the Spirit of God."

This balance, Brother Spencer said, is needed still today.

"Balancing is hard, as all dancers and gymnasts know, and the intellectual balancing in President Young's challenge is hard too," said Brother Spencer. "It seems that for many of us, the more we learn, the more we get puffed up with pride. Intolerance then sets in and balance becomes impossible. …

"The proper attitude to have," he said, "when confronted with the vast complexity both of the universe and of the ideas and activities of the people who live on this small planet orbiting an ordinary star far away from the center of things in our galaxy, is profound humility."

Brother Spencer shared an example from his studies in chemistry and physics, explaining the mathematics of quantum theory. Although he couldn't understand the details of why the equation works, he just knows that it does. Just like his experiences in his field of study, Brother Spencer spoke of similar experiences in his spiritual life. Often, an explanation is not possible but, for some reason, things work.

"The priesthood and science both help us live better in this complex world," he said. "It seems to me that the right thing to do is to follow the pragmatic counsel of Brigham Young. He taught that we should use everything we can lay our hands on, both physically and spiritually, when faced with problems that need solving."

Brother Spencer spoke of the importance of working hard in every aspect of life to achieve excellence, and then how that excellence helps in building the kingdom of God.

"We should seek all the good we can from the world of scholarship, and also seek the blessings of the Lord by asking and having faith in Him," he said. "Even if we can't see how everything fits together into a complete picture, we can have faith that there is such a picture and find joy in working and serving in both realms."

Although some areas may leave a few gaps in understanding, there is purpose in the process, and still great wisdom gained, he said.

"In my fumbling attempts to better understand how physics works I use more erasers than pencil lead and the most common key for me to press when I am writing computer code is the delete key," he said. "But flashes of success come, too. It really is exciting to discover how something works. And it is equally exciting to feel the thrill of knowing that the Lord has worked through me to bless someone else's life."

Drawing from Amulek's admonition in the Book of Mormon, Brother Spencer spoke of the need to exercise faith, repent, be humble and pray over "flocks," "fields" and "houses" (Alma 34).

"I testify that this works for all fields and for all flocks," he said. "My field is physics; yours may be linguistics, construction management, nursing, or maybe you're in business management — you will have flocks to tend. Whatever area of study, the Lord has mastered it. If you ask Him, He can help you in your studies."

Not only can excellence in studies help in the secular parts of life, it will also inform one's faith, Brother Spencer said. By using all that is learned in school, whether an individual majors in it or not, that person is more equipped to make better decisions in life, oftentimes preventing problems.

Although critical thinking and knowledge are helpful, Brother Spencer also cautioned students to learn when to use their critical thinking skills and when to be still and listen.

"I hope that in spite of all that we learn and achieve — and I hope that we learn and achieve in abundance — that we will also learn patience, humility, tolerance and love."

Brother Spencer spoke of the need to stay close to things of the spirit through daily prayer, scripture study, home evening, attendance at Church meetings and temple worship.

"I have been molded and shaped by the things I have learned in Church over the years and by the service I have given in the callings that I have received," Brother Spencer said. "Participation in His kingdom here on earth can change us in wonderful ways if we are faithful."

Mholman@desnews.com