Truth, for most earth dwellers, is an elusive and controversial concept. We all believe we have a piece of it, but very few think they have the whole of it. Truth is described in one discourse as “what was, what is now, and what always will be.”
As truth is eternal, anything less than truth will be elusive and temporary, even though it may appear to be truth to those contemporary with it. Alexander Green posed the question: “What is the secret of eloquence, the standard of virtue, the basis of moral authority, the object of philosophy, the most formidable power on earth, the noblest expression of the human spirit, and beauty itself? Thoreau said it was better than money, love or fame. The New Testament proclaims it the basis of personal freedom(John 8:32). Schopenhauer observed that it is first ridiculed, then violently oppressed, then accepted as self-evident. The answer, of course, is ‘truth.’ There are so many documented ‘worldly truths,’ and there are an equal number of truth Sayers. Where does one turn to, where can one travel to find the real truth Sayer?
As a young man I recall listening to many stories of events and philosophies and thinking that what was being told to me was probably true. We are raised by our parents to believe certain things as truth as well. Looking back on many of those occurrences, with the knowledge base I currently have, I know that most all of them were half truths at best. Winston Churchill observed, “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.” More accurately men occasionally stumble over ‘a truth’ and than hurry off before it can be mentally or spiritually digested.
It is interesting to know that what appears to be and is portrayed as a truth is quickly received by one and just as quickly rejected by another. What is it that constitutes a truth and just as interesting, is how does one evaluate it to know that it is a truth and, as such, has immense value? As previously described by Alexander Green, there are many kinds of truth, truths that pertain to various sciences, occupations, worldly pursuits. These are truths that are documented and truths that a group may abide by until they are supplanted by a new set of truths. Worldly truths are transient or ever changing based on the whims of the groups changing leadership.
Scientific truths are experiment based while most other truths are witness based. Criminal trials, where a person’s life or punishment may be determined, are evidence and witness based. The testimony of a witness or two will often seal the person’s fate. Even though witness testimony often varies significantly from witness to witness. “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: (but rather) at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.” (Deuteronomy 19:15) Speaking of truths of the spirit, we can all be blessed with truths based on our faith, as did Oliver Cowdery, as described in the Doctrine and Covenants: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” (D&C 6:22–23) I love some of the expressions in the scriptures such as, “Cast your mind upon the night…” I had a very spiritual experience, as well, when I first became acquainted with the Book of Mormon. If I, too, desire further witness, I can ‘cast my mind upon the time’ that I first read the Book of Mormon and I cried unto the Lord in my heart that I might know the truth of it. He spoke peace to my mind, as well, regarding the matter of my concern.
The Holy Ghost is the purveyor of all truth, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.” ( John 16:13) The Spirit of Truth is described in the following excerpt from a Gospel Doctrine Manual: “The office of the Holy Spirit is to enlighten the minds of the people with regard to the things of God, to convince them at the time of their conversion of their having done the will of the Father, and to be in them an abiding testimony as a companion through life, acting as the sure and safe guide into all truth and filling them day by day with joy and gladness, with a disposition to do good to all men, to suffer wrong rather than to do wrong, to be kind and merciful, long suffering and charitable. All who possess this inestimable gift, this pearl of great price, have a continual thirst after righteousness…Therefore it behooves the Latter-day Saints to live pure and upright, in order that this Spirit may abide in them; for it is only possessed on the principle of righteousness…It is the privilege of all alike to be made partakers of it.” (Gospel Doctrine, 50–51.)
The power of discernment is a gift given to many, and truth is a powerful guide in their lives. By living worthy of the Spirit of Truth, we too can be blessed to know the truth of all things. Primarily, the greatest truth of all, the truths of eternal life, the truths of our God.