Finding Truth

Truth, the glue of all existence.


In studying the scriptures it is important to look for symbolisms in them. The scriptures are full of symbols. Much in the same way Christ spoke in parables the scriptures speak is symbolism. Why do they? It is probably, for the same reason that Christ spoke in parables. So the unseeking would not understand.

11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

(New Testament Mark 4:11 - 12)

Those who would not seek and understand on their own are to be held in chains of darkness. The greater light is not given to the wicked they would not accept it or would use it in time for wicked purposes. There is also the possibility that they may repent and have place in the kingdom of heaven and latter return to their wickedness.

An important thing to realize is that most of the principles of the gospel are eternal. The course of God is one eternal round. The principles that govern this universe are eternal. It is these same principles that govern or should govern our existence on earth. By these laws we are either justified or condemned. The laws are universal and govern all. Joseph Smith taught.

Every principle proceeding from God is eternal, and any principle which is not eternal is of the devil. The sun has no beginning or end; the rays which proceed from himself have no bounds, consequently are eternal. . . .

. . . The first step in the salvation of men is the laws of eternal and self-existent principles. (Joseph Smith, The Words of Joseph Smith, p. 60; standardized)


(Joseph Smith, Encyclopedia of Joseph Smith's Teachings, edited by Larry E. Dahl and Donald Q.Cannon [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997], .)

We progress no faster than we come to understand and live the laws as set forth by God. Eternal principles are not learned or lived in a day. We progress as we lean and live the principles of truth and light. There are many principles that we cannot learn except by experience. In Adams fall he become as the Gods knowing good from evil.

As far as we degenerate from God, we descend to the devil and lose knowledge, and without knowledge we cannot be saved. . . .

. . . 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. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 4:588)

This quote by Joseph Smith makes it clear that knowledge is key to gaining eternal salvation. It is by that knowledge that we a kept free of deception. In the preexistence the war in heaven was over truth. One third of the hose of heaven was lead astray by the lies of satin. This battle continues on earth.

It is our objective and duty to gain light and truth while here on earth. It is by gaining light and truth that we progress. If we put no effort into gaining greater light and truth then we cannot progress and in fact will retrogress. The world is full of lies and deceptions. If we are not seeking true light and truth then we will be deceived by the deceptions of the world. We need to consider and accept that we have a very limited knowledge of truth. It is our opportunity to find and live by light and truth while we are here on earth; if we do not then we are condemned.

It is and seems to have ever been that man finds some principle of truth, or some principle that he believes to be true and never considers more truth. He spends his energies trying to convince himself and others that his beliefs are the absolute truth. Never humbling himself to seek truth beyond his present state of knowledge.

There are a great many wise men and women too in our midst who are too wise to be taught; therefore they must die in their ignorance, and in the resurrection they will find their mistake. Many seal up the door of heaven by saying, So far God may reveal and I will believe. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 5:424)

There are even more who are content to let others be their source of truth. Trusting that they know more than them and never seeking truth and light in and of themselves. Thus the blind often lead the blind. And the blind are happy to follow.

Is being blindly led in the wrong direction only a problem for us? A third of the host of heaven followed after Satin. Clearly they had agency and clearly could follow him or Christ.

…and also a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency;

(Doctrine and Covenants Section 29:36)

Yet there is in each of us the natural tendency to resist truth. To shun it as though it was a plague. Perhaps that is why truth seldom comes unless we seek it or are humble enough to not resist it. So often we are envious of those who have obtained a higher level of truth than us.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

(New Testament 1 Corinthians 2:11)