“When
we receive truth we are expected to live our lives in conformity with
the truth we’ve received. We shouldn’t expect to receive more if
we do not live what we’ve already been given. Living in conformity
with such truth as you already have is also always required to avoid
deception. It is simply not possible to harvest additional light
while refusing to live the light already given. False spirits visit
with those who invite them by their misconduct, rebellion or
wickedness. Hence the need to constantly re-evaluate how you live and
the choices.” (DS 2-11-10)
“Truth
is a knowledge of things as they were, as they are, and as they are
to come. (Doctrine and Covenants 93: 24.) As a result, truth is really not subject
to debate.
We either know the truth or we are deceived. If we know it, we have
an obligation to declare it. If we are deceived, we have an obligation
to be humble enough to at least consider the truth before we reject
it.” (DS 4-20-10)
I
was talking with my family about how truth is always challenged with
falsehoods and errors and there seems to be an endless supply of
“crazy stuff" (depending on perspective of course) out there to
deceive and distract. My daughter remarked, “The real question is
whether what you think is true really is true...” Profound indeed.
We
concluded that whenever a verified fact or an accurate statement
backed with evidence or a true message with substance or the word of
God is obtained and confirmed by the spirit, the truth itself is
extraordinary, supersedes incorrect ideas, and is certainly worth
receiving.
The
act of embracing truth may influence the arrival of short-term
challenges, which derive from the adversary and those he deceives.
However, the truth will surely be of greater value in the end, and
therefore, be preferred over falsehoods that must be discarded. Truth
is like a successful surgery; it may hurt but cures. Drugs may
conceal core issues, cover symptoms of sickness, distort the
situation, and mask the actual condition and the real state of affairs.
Likewise, falsehoods and lies can give instant temporary relief in
some degree, but enlarge and magnify the spiritual wound, make the
core problem worse, and cause increasing symptoms and side effects
until sincere repentance occurs.
Truth
can be disturbing, especially when lies we believe and live are
openly exposed. Being called to repentance by an authorized servant
sent by God with a message, tends to bring out the true colors of
each individual in some fashion or another.
Hugh
Nibley had this to say about repentance, “Who is righteous? Anyone
who is repenting. No matter how bad he has been, if he is repenting
he is a righteous man. There is hope for him. And no matter how good
he has been all his life, if he is not repenting, he is a wicked man.
The difference is which way you are facing. The man on the top of the
stairs facing down is much worse off than the man on the bottom step
who is facing up. The direction we are facing, that is repentance;
and that is what determines whether we are good or bad.”
Acquiring
additional truth and light and the continual work of repentance
should play a major part of every person's mortal life because it
largely determines an individual's relationship with God.
I recall Hugh Nibley saying one time in his Pearl of Great Price class that we need to repent until we, like the Savior, are filled with grace and truth....and Alma tells one of his sons that we should always recognize our unworthiness before God. Repentance is a hallmark of humility. I appreciated this post as a reminder of my need to continually repent as I seek to be filled with grace and truth — and in turn empty myself of things like falsehood, fakeness, deceit, and feigned love.
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