Part 1 – What Is Truth and How Do We Obtain It
There are a lot of rumors, memes, and accusations flying around these days regarding censorship, “fake news” and “conspiracy theories.” Conversations with family, friends and associates can quickly get divisive and heated as each of the various parties involved believe their strong feelings to be the correct ones. It seems we are more fractured philosophically than ever. In our wicked world, up is portrayed as down; that which is black we’re told is white; evil is good. Whether it be the state of America in decline, the increased dismantling of public and personal morality all around us, or the chaos of “woke” policies occurring in governments, schools, and churches everywhere—each of us desires to be on firm ground in speaking what is principled and true. At least, we should be seeking righteous judgment… the proverbial wisdom of the pre-apostate Solomon in these wicked last days, right? Who doesn’t want more clarity over confusion? Though ever diminishing, do we not hope intelligence versus ignorance will rule the day? As Faithful Saints, we refuse to be led to our destruction by tyrants, charismatic pied-piper sellers of snake oil, and especially false prophets a.k.a. wolves in sheep’s clothing. Rather, we choose to stand on principle—using the Holy Spirit, the Word of the Lord, and His inspired revelations imparted to us directly through his chosen servants—to correctly guide us through this precarious mortal probation.
To this end, we believe it ever-important that each one of us knows how to build a foundation of truth. Where do we begin in this endeavor? Joseph Smith, in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 343 taught that “If we start right, it is easy to go right all the time; but if we start wrong, we may go wrong, and it be a hard matter to get right.” Let us start right in building a personal foundation established on only that which is sound, true, and of God.
What is truth?
So many definitions of basic, core words have been purposefully changed over the years, as to cloud our understanding of God’s word, therefore obscuring the simple path back to our Father in Heaven. Let us be clear here. Truth is “fact, reality, or certainty.” (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary.) The Lord defines truth in Doctrine & Covenants 93:24 as “knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come.” Truth is absolute and is not influenced by circumstances. It does not change, just as the Lord does not change. (see D&C 93:30; Mormon 9:19; D&C 20:17)
In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Mormon writes to his son,
“For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?” (Moroni 9:9)
God does not shift. His truth is unchanging.
“For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.” (The Lord, D&C 3:2)
All truth is fixed & eternal.
The scriptures are very clear and the Lord Himself says that if He broke His law, He would cease to be God. It is a possibility because, like us, God has agency too. We have to understand that there are consequences to our actions, as well as for God. That’s why truth is so important—that we don’t vary from it. We must know what the truth is so that we don’t do something that breaks an eternal law.
As a quick point of clarification, when we use the word truth, we can also use synonyms like: understanding, wisdom, knowledge, light, testimony, “the word,” and “the way.” The Holy Ghost is called the “Spirit of Truth” in John, chapter 16. We know that Jesus Christ is called “the Truth” throughout scripture.
Why is truth seeking so important, especially in these last days?
In the Lectures on Faith, where the Prophet Joseph lays out this great principle, we are taught that to be able to have faith, must know that our actions are pleasing to God. If we don’t know the truth, then we can’t know if our actions are pleasing to our Father. If truth changes or if God changes—if any of these things change—then it’s impossible for us to know anything, from one moment to the next. It can’t be that a minute ago something was essential, then the next minute the same teaching or concept is a damnable offense. Or vice versa. This is chaotic and unjust. It also puts us in a position where we cannot live by faith. And faith is essential to our salvation and exaltation. To have a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, we must know who He is and that he is unchangeable. A basic understanding of what truth is the very foundation of having faith, period. If we haven’t built that foundation, then we are going to question everything that we’re doing. Anytime any kind of opposition comes up, we could easily shift with the sands. We’re going to be “ever learning” and never coming to an eternal knowledge. Nothing else really matters without this solid foundation; everything else falls into speculation or conjecture. Even if it’s not really speculation, if you don’t know truth, it becomes speculation—you’re going to treat it as opinion—even if it is truth. Therefore, to make sure that we are acting in a pleasing manner to God, we have to know the truth of what He expects of us.
How do we obtain truth for ourselves?
Once one understands how essential truth is to helping us make sound choices in the latter-days, it only follows that he or she would take great steps to obtain as much truth as possible. Young Joseph Smith is a powerful example for us. At a crucial time in his life, he humbly desired to know his place in God’s Plan and where his place was in His work. The following scripture was vital in motivating Joseph to turn to God in prayer for truth and can be a great one for us as well. In James 1:5 it says: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally [generously], and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Our Father bountifully gives to all His children who seek His counsel. He never rebukes us for seeking His wisdom – in fact, we are commanded to acquire it. “And it shall be given him.” What a wonderful promise to receive! It shall be given from Him who is perfectly generous with his love and understanding. As we follow young Joseph’s example, we can gain the understanding that we need to help us progress. Most Latter-day Saints gloss over or simply miss the part of his history (that’s not included in the scriptures, but in the History of the Church, Vol. 1) where the sincere boy was deeply troubled over the welfare of his soul and standing before God. He was first repentant and humble, seeking to be clean and spotless before His Maker. This is the pattern we should follow—Joseph’s example. And how blessed are we today because of this noble boy’s faithfulness in seeking wisdom of God, humbly repenting and praying, which paved the way for the Restoration, the return of the Priesthood, the ordinances of God and countless blessings to be unveiled through him as a prophet, seer, and revelator.
God doesn’t trust us with additional information if we’re not living up to that which what we already have. Like Joseph, we should strive to bring ourselves to a position where we receive more because we are attempting to bring ourselves in line with the full will of the Father. Of course Satan first appeared, trying to overwhelm and deter him—but to no avail. The Lord delivered and answered Joseph because he had proven himself. He was someone that would act upon new information entrusted to him and he would change when he received more truth. So it can be for each of us. We have to be willing to forsake and repent from our sins in order to learn the truth.
If you have the book Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, you know how wonderful and profound his words are. He instructs,
“Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that was written on the subject. We are only capable of comprehending that certain things exist, which we may acquire by certain fixed principles. …
Hence the importance of embracing and subscribing to principles of eternal truth by all men upon the earth that expect eternal life. I assure the saints that truth, in reference to these matters, can and may be known through the revelations of God in the way of His ordinances, and in answer to prayer.” (Joseph Smith, TPJS, 324.)
Here the Prophet of the Dispensation gives us another vital key for our understanding. Yes, we can glean from all the best man-made books. We are commanded to treasure the Words of Christ and have those written on our hearts and in our deeds. But we also need God’s revelation through His holy ordinances and prayer. This is how Joseph did it! Through the power of the Holy Ghost, through His Holy Priesthood, we too can be taught the process of sanctification and the ways of perfection that lead to eternal life. The means is simple: line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little.
In the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi the Lord explains the process of gaining more wisdom,
For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. (2 Nephi 28:30)
As we faithfully knock, the Lord opens to us—to our hearts and minds those principles that only He can reveal. If you do not desire more, you will lose that understanding which was already given to you.
The prophet Alma, in the Book of Mormon, also teaches us how we can “enlighten our understanding.” We learn how we can use a seed, a tiny particle, of faith to grow into a perfect knowledge of a true principle. In the 32nd chapter, verse 28 he illustratively instructs us through a metaphor:
Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
This is our instruction manual! You can know with a surety if a teaching is of light and God or of darkness and Satan. When planting a good seed, giving it a place to grow, and nurturing your faith to know by the Spirit—it will swell within you, be delicious, and enlarge your understanding. It can feel as if the new understanding helps connect the dots of other true principles you already know. Often it “just clicks” together, beautifully opening up other ideas and teachings to make more sense, seem clearer, and better work on your behalf. If, however, you neglect the seed it will not take root but will die. It doesn’t mean the teaching wasn’t correct; the fault simply lay in your careless disregard. With patient care, however, the seed of knowledge can grow immense, bearing wonderfully rewarding fruit. Even leading to a tree springing up to eternal life.
In verse 34, Alma continues:
And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand.
This whole chapter is marvelously instructive. It is not just metaphorical but is a literal pattern for us to try—a real-life experiment we should practice to produce the wonderful blessings and fruits of wisdom. Similarly, the Lord teaches Oliver Cowdery—and us—in D&C 9 plainly and boldly what we must do:
But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong… (D&C 9:8-9)
Here is more understanding that helps us discern between our emotions or our own thoughts versus the Holy Spirit working within us. Not all pleasant feelings are from the Holy Ghost. When the tears flow, having been moved deeply by a Budweiser commercial or a touching viral video involving rescued puppies, that’s not exactly the Holy Ghost we’re talking about. Conversely, sometimes the Spirit teaches us through so-called negative experiences and feelings. In fact, often the Spirit affects us with a negative feeling—otherwise, why would we change if we never felt a painful prick in our hearts or remorse for poor choices. However, if we are repentant and doing our part—through sincere searching, study and prayer—we can avoid the mists of despair, darkness and confusion.
The Test
When we discover any old or new teaching, idea or principle, we can test the prophet Mormon’s promise in Moroni chapter 10:
And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is. (Moroni 10:4-6)
We need the Holy Ghost to testify what is true and what isn’t. And by the power of the Holy Ghost, one can know the truth of all things. All things. This is how we can grow line upon line, here a little there a little, as we progress on the strait and narrow path back to God. Many times, we are stupidly following modern trends, unscriptural practices, or false teachings and fail to test whether any of it works in harmony with what the Savior taught. Nothing good will deny Christ or his teachings. Put another way: if something runs contrary to the laws of God you profess—it can’t be a good thing! Unfortunately, confirmation bias runs rampant. It’s painful to admit we may be worshiping sacred cows and building altars to our favorite yet completely false idols. (Please don’t even get us started on modern sports, health trends, celebrities, or talk radio show hosts! More on this in future articles.) Most people don’t even want to believe that they should repent of false traditions, let alone consider where to begin to fix the damage and turn a new leaf.
Ask yourself this: Do I have a sincere heart? Am I just asking for knowledge just so I am “in the know” or not left out? Do I want new understanding so that I can draw nearer to the Lord, even if it requires repentance and major life changes? Finally, if it is clear that I have no intention to obey or practice the truth given me, why would the Lord entrust it to me?
If you are a person that is not getting answers from your Heavenly Father in prayer, it would be wise to do an honest internal inventory. Assess whether in your heart you would be willing to act on the revelation God may give to you, regardless of how unpleasant or demanding the consequences might be. It’s not enough that we just want to collect exciting, new data or get gain with it—we must be willing to repent and/or immediately apply that newfound understanding.
The Lord knows our hearts and intentions. There’s no fooling him. Just acknowledging that Jesus is the Christ is not enough either. Even the demons acknowledged who Christ was and testified of his divinity, as the Son of the Most High God. They served Satan yet knew about Christ. That is not the kind of knowledge we as faithful saints are seeking. We must be willing to follow Christ and to exercise faith in Him to learn the way of exaltation. We must stop modeling unto ourselves convenient, new gospels and “feel good” new-age Jesus counterfeits. It doesn’t work, even if we think we are so wise and worthy as to deserve these better, modern versions of discipleship. This is pride and folly. As we wouldn’t cast our pearls of great price before swine, neither will the Lord cast pearls of unappreciated knowledge our way. We must have a sincere heart and real intent to come unto Christ and be perfected in him. If that’s not your intention, why would the Lord reveal anything more to you? He wouldn’t and doesn’t. It’s a non-starter.
Perhaps you haven’t followed promptings or teachings by the Spirit previously given to you. This is something to repent of and change today. We will never be instructed in higher ways of light and knowledge, if we can’t live the truths already entrusted to us. Obedience matters. Why do we continually squander and spurn the gifts of God, then, like a spoiled child, wonder why we can’t have more? Now is the time to forsake any self-deception on our part. Are you like the fickle and feckless Laman and Lemuel or are you valiant like their younger but steadfast brother Nephi? It is necessary to be sincere, teachable and have real intent to obey the Lord’s commands. Blessedly, as we are faithfully diligent, we can observe the Lord’s perfect patterns to know if something is of Him—and true—or not.
End of Part 1.
PART 2 will be the Obstacles and Blessings of Truth.
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