The Learned, as referred to in the Book of Mormon, was an individual who, in the context of a prophecy, played a role in the narrative surrounding the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. This figure is associated with an episode that would validate the divine origin of the Book of Mormon records. When presented with the unsealed portion of the record for interpretation, The Learned was predicted to be unable to read the words and thereby concede, saying, “I cannot read it” (2 Nephi 27:18). This inability to read the records was not due to illiteracy but rather a predetermined result stemming from a divine pronouncement about their capacity to understand sacred writings through worldly knowledge alone.
The account implies that The Learned’s priorities, influenced by the desire “for the glory of the world and to get gain” (2 Nephi 27:16), overshadowed a disposition to acknowledge and assist in the work of God. Consequently, it led to an explicit restriction where The Learned would not be granted the privilege to read the unsealed words, as they had rejected the divine. Instead, the interpretation and dissemination of the sacred words were appointed to others deemed worthy by divine command (2 Nephi 27:20).
Scripturally, the inability of The Learned to read the book served to emphasize a theme within the Book of Mormon narrative that worldly wisdom and scholarly achievements, while notable, are insufficient to comprehend the things of God without faith and divine authority. The encounter with The Learned fulfilled an ancient prophecy declaring, ”…for behold, the words of a book are delivered to a man, and this is the book which is sealed… wherefore, when they deliver the book to the learned, saying: Read this, I pray thee, and he saith: I cannot read it” (2 Nephi 27:14-18). This episode symbolizes the overarching message about the limitations of secular knowledge in matters of faith and divine revelation.