By Elder John C. Pingree Jr.
"So, what is our understanding of truth in today’s world? We are constantly bombarded with strong opinions, biased reporting, and incomplete data. At the same time, the volume and sources of this information are proliferating. Our need to recognize truth has never been more important! . . . .
The Lord has taught us in scripture that “truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:24). It “was not created or made” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:29) and has “no end” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:66). Truth is absolute, fixed, and immutable. In other words, truth is eternal."
This has been a conversation in our house this week. Some friends explained their views to my teenaged son. Their views are not based in truth. We talked about it being ok to have opposing views. It doesn't make anyone bad or mean we can't be friends. It is, however, important that we remain based in truth.
I love Sister Runia's dad's version of lehi and the tree of life. "Dad exemplified Lehi’s dream. Like Lehi, he knew that you don’t chase after your loved ones who feel lost. “You stay where you are and call them. You go to the tree, stay at the tree, keep eating the fruit and, with a smile on your face, continue to beckon to those you love and show by example that eating the fruit is a happy thing!” - Ronald E Bartholomew (Seeing God’s Family through the Overview Lens By Sister Tamara W. Runia. October 2023)
I found a quote from pres oaks this week too. It seems to be truth week, I guess.
"Love and tolerance are incomplete unless they are accompanied by a concern for truth and a commitment to the unity that God has commanded of his servants." Dallin H Oaks¹
We even ran across the concept of truth despite what others try to make you believe in our seminary lesson.
²"In a worldwide devotional for young adults, Sister Kathy Clayton, wife of Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Seventy, shared her experience visiting a zoo in Argentina where she was able to enter the pens and interact with wild animals such as lions." She tells about these lions that were raised with dogs. The dogs were bigger when the lions were cubs. The cubs learned to be submissive to the dogs. "They were painfully unaware of their regal identity. They were stuck and limited by a mistaken notion of their potential. They thought they were small and weak, so they allowed pesky, persistent dogs to control and intimidate them." She then compares that to our divine identity and the world trying to convince us otherwise.
John 17:11,14-15
We can be in the world and accept the differing views of others without partaking of the world view ourselves.
Footnotes
1.Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall
Dallin H. Oaks
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/dallin-h-oaks/strengths-can-become-downfall/
2. A Regal Identity
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/article/worldwide-devotionals/2015/01/a-regal-identity?lang=eng
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