Knowledge Destroys Ignorance

Joseph Smith said:

“It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.” (TPJS 301)

“The principle of knowledge is the principle of salvation. This principle can be comprehended by the faithful and diligent; and every one that does not obtain knowledge sufficient to be saved will be condemned. The principle of salvation is given us through the knowledge of Jesus Christ.” (TPJS 297)

“The Church must be cleansed, and I proclaim against all iniquity. A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the earth. Hence it needs revelation to assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of God.” (TPJS page 217)

“The problem we must overcome to obtain salvation is our profound ignorance. And what the gospel offers defies ignorance, subdues it, challenges it, destroys it, and leaves it in the dark.” (DS Lecture 1)

“Ignorance is only blissful until the issue you've ignored jumps up from the sidewalk and bites you in the ass.” (David Roppo)

“One of the hardest lessons I've had to learn in my lifetime is that people will believe what they want to believe regardless of facts or evidence. I have been foolish enough to believe that anything I say could change that.” (B. Devine)

“People don't want to hear the truth because they don't want their illusions destroyed.” (Friedrich Nietzsche)

“Where ignorance is bliss, 'Tis folly to be wise.” (Thomas Gray)

Truth Matters

“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.

Attitude Determines Altitude

We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have and that is our attitude. - Chuck Swindoll -

I have heard that our attitude largely determines our altitude in life.

The significant and amazing thing is we get to choose what attitudes we have right now.

Everyone makes that choice every day, either in a state of accountability being awake, conscious, and responsible or, by default, in a state of irresponsibility, freewheeling, and happy-or-sad-go-lucky sort of thing.

Perhaps, when we truly grow up, we will take more responsibility for our attitudes and be more fully accountable for our choices.

Offer Refusal Brings Damnation

If God sends a message you better heed it, even if you find it

difficult to hear. When God offers a blessing or knowledge to a man, and

he refuses to receive it, he will be damned. (DS Lecture #5)

CS Lewis had some profound things to share:

“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.”

"[Reality] is not neat, not obvious, not what you expect."

There are only two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way."

“All get what they want; they do not always like it.” 

Receive First, Then Teach

“Writing the words of eternal life require someone to have eternal life. They can still be mortal, but they need the promise of eternal life. So I suppose the Lord’s admonition: “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all things shall be added thereto” really answers the question. Or as told to Hyrum: “Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word.” The one must precede the other. At least the statement of the Lord to His disciples, and the revelation to Hyrum Smith seem to indicate as much.” DS 2-9-10 

 

Would it be logical to assume that someone, who does not live the gospel, has the ability to teach it? Could a man, who has not repented, received baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, properly teach and bear witness of the doctrine of Christ? Is it possible for you to teach anything with authority, if you have not obtained it? Certainly something to ponder and worth considering.