Oh Say, What is Truth?

 The quest for truth has been something that has inspired mankind since time immemorial. The hunt for the ultimate meaning of this existence and why things are the way that they are has lead to many significant discoveries in the sciences, philosophy, and religion. While there is much good in these fields, we must discover for ourselves what the truth really is. After we discover what is the truth, we should have a duty to embrace the truth and follow the path of these truths, no matter the consequences.

 This naturally leads us to ask the following unavoidable questions,(1) "What is truth?", (2) "What/who is the ultimate source of truth?", (3) "Is there one ultimate truth?" and (4)"How can I know what is truth?"

We know that the defining of truth has been something that has interested humankind since the days of Adam. For instance, when Jesus was being questioned by Pilate, he testified of his divine mission, "[F]or this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." Pilate, doubtless curious by the one who was called the King of the Jews and of his role to bear witness of the truth, replied "What is truth?"(John 18:37-38) We have no record in John's account or any other account of our Lord answering his question directly at that time, but later on in a modern divine revelation to modern men, the Lord revealed this about the nature of truth: "And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come" (D&C 93:24). Or, as one of our hymns says, "Truth [is] the sum of existence" ("Oh Say, What is Truth?" Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, #272, John Jacques). This means that to know the truth is to know of things as they truly were, are and shall be, free from mortal bias, free from the limitations of lack of foresight, knowledge or emotional attachment; in short, the truth is as God would see it in its pure, simple form. Truth therefore does not and cannot change despite the varying opinions of men, the philosophies of fallible mortals of the time, the political correctness of an opinion, or the culture one happens to live in. Truth is truth and it cannot be changed.

Thus, we know God is the source of all truth and light. The scriptures testify that God is a God of truth and cannot lie (see Ether 3:12; Hebrews 6:18, for example) As such, there can be only one ultimate truth that can save and redeem men for "truth, diamond truth, truth unmixed with error, truth alone leads to salvation." (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, "The Seven Deadly Heresies",  BYU Speeches of the Year 1979-1980) As there is one Lord, one faith and one baptism (Ephesians 4:5), there can only be one truth that leads back to the presence of God the Father, one saving doctrine, one way back to where those holy beings who also have overcome the world dwell in everlasting glory. (John 14:6)

 Knowing that our salvation depends on finding the truth, our sole concern in seeking truth should be to learn and believe what the Lord knows and believes, reject all the false doctrines of the world, and cleave unto all truth. Only then can we progress according to the divine plan to return to our Father who is in Heaven. "How can we know what is truth and what is error?" the sincere seeker of truth is asked. "Have we not been warned of those who would seek to deceive the sincere seeker of truth?" This is very true. The Lord himself has warned of those false prophets who proclaimed a false way of truth and salvation(see Matthew 7:15). However, there is something given to us by the Father, a special gift, to help us know the truth. It is the Holy Ghost, whose sole mission is to bear witness of the truth. In Moroni's closing words, we read after his glorious promise of how one can know the verity of the Book of Mormon: "And by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5). Jacob further witnessed that the "Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not... wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls". (Jacob 4:13) We know also whatsoever the Lord speaks is also eternal truth. In the modern revelations, we read that "The Spirit of truth is of God" and "the word of the Lord is truth and whatsoever is truth is light" (D&C 84:45; 93:26; See also John 17:17).

Having said all this, having taught and preached the doctrine, there remains but one thing more, which is to bear personal testimony of these truths we have discussed. I know and testify that God the Father lives and that He is the source of truth and light. Jesus is the Christ and he is the only name given under heaven whereby mankind can be saved. I know that Joseph Smith saw the supreme Creators of heaven and earth and restored the fullness of the Gospel and eternal truths to the Earth once more. I know these things by my own search for what truth really is. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest truth in all of the Earth and is worth more than all the treasures that kingdoms, empires, and nations can produce, for it can and shall redeem the souls of men in the glory that awaits the faithful. May God grant that each of us may also pursue the truth and find the truths of eternity to be that pearl of great price and treasure it in our hearts is my fervent prayer and plea. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Next week, we will be discussing the nature of God and the kind of being He is.