Finding Truth in All

[Anonymous]

I’ve written a blog post on the topic Finding Truth in All.

Basically, it’s my observation that truth can be found in almost any scripture, but you have to have the ability to discern it. Trying to keep this positive, I observe that Joseph Smith was syncretic, often plagiarizing works to become scripture or Temple tradition. While I respect this ability, I also recognize that one needs to sort out truth, and cast aside things that don’t make sense or are false.

Today the church doesn’t quite know how to cast aside the things that aren’t true. It would be useful to do so, so that the truths found in the church might be more accessible to those who wish to participate.

Anyway, let me know what you think.

cheers!

[Anonymous]

I think you’re right.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

[Anonymous]

Quote:

While it may be interesting to dig for this truth in each tradition, what I’ve really learned is that the Truth is also right back inside of me. In the Bhagavad Gita, there is a verse that says:

To one who is enlightened, the scriptures are like a well in the middle of a pristine lake.

So, while there is truth in all scripture, all truth is also accessible within me, if I am only able to tap into my personal sense of light and truth.

I especially liked this part, how truth is as much a part of our own inspiration as it is digging through the inspiration of the ancients.

I was curious as to your target audience. If this is directed to Mormons (even internet Mormons) then the terms pious fraud or plagiarism may be too inflammatory to use without distracting from the message. If it is intended for non-Mormons, there may be too many Mormon references for their comfort level.

Overall I really enjoyed it. (If your target audience was me, then you have succeeded! )

[Anonymous]

Roy wrote:

I was curious as to your target audience. If this is directed to Mormons (even internet Mormons) then the terms pious fraud or plagiarism may be too inflammatory to use without distracting from the message. If it is intended for non-Mormons, there may be too many Mormon references for their comfort level.

Overall I really enjoyed it. (If your target audience was me, then you have succeeded! )

my target audience is usually me. hence, i always succeed in affecting my audience!

it is hard not to see that JS was involved in pious fraud or plaiarism. i think i am technically correct in those terms–whoever wrote deuteronomy did the same thing, perhaps in a different time. one cannot legitimately look at the origin of scripture and religion without seeing that there was a lot of creative, inspired fraud and plagiarism.

glad you liked it… thanks!

[Anonymous]

I believe deeply in finding truth in everything.

[Anonymous]

Very thought provoking. Will need to read it again a couple of times. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed your blog post wayfarer. I believe you are right in that truth is found everywhere as 2 Nephi 29: 10-13 states. I had an interesting thought on how many different groups of people seem to contain a piece of the puzzle of truth. In a way I think it is kind of neat that I may only be able to gain a piece of that puzzle and by loving others and being open to different view points I can continue to gather more pieces of that puzzle. I guess what I am saying is that if we all could understand that we all have pieces of truth it could unify humans in a very profound way. I am not sure I dictated my thought well, but I tried.

I also liked this scripture from paul:

Quote:

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect (greek: complete, and by extension, ‘more accurate’) is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Even though my faith transition has been painful I am now seeing more than the part I saw as a child. I am becoming a woman and I am becoming comfortable with putting away childish things. Even though I have put away childish things I know I still see only a part. I am comfortable in knowing I only have parts and many unknowns. In time I know I will come in to contact with a more complete picture.

[Anonymous]

Very cool stuff.

Now, if I put my believing hat on, I would say that the risk of saying there is truth in all, is there is some kind of fear that can arise that truth is nothing. That Truth is just whatever we make it to be, whatever we want it to be, and somehow less powerful.

Religions, like Mormonism, like to hold a standard up, like Captain Moroni. A claim that “more” truth is found by the interpretations they provide to those scriptures. A call for people to come to them, a rally cry to amass to, to change their way to, to conform to their standard, and by doing so, stretch people to new ways, in hopes of growth. Often the message is we must bend ourselves to the truth found here, a truth that is proven and unbending, a truth that a special prophet or holy man has discovered so that I can be fed truth beyond my ability to discover on my own, as if I wouldn’t stretch myself otherwise.

I see resistance to “truth in all things” in organized religion. I see … truth is here, not there.

Does it lose potency to claim truth in all?

[Anonymous]

Quote:

Does it lose potency to claim truth in all?

Not according to Joseph Smith – or the notion of a process called the restoration of all things.

Part of the grandeur of pure Mormonism is the audacity to believe that all truth can be circumscribed into one whole – and that striving to comprehend that whole is worth the effort. Limting that whole to what we know now, and denying that there still is truth out there to be included in the circumscription process, goes against the very core of the Restoration.

[Anonymous]

Old-Timer wrote:

Quote:

Does it lose potency to claim truth in all?

Not according to Joseph Smith – or the notion of a process called the restoration of all things.

Part of the grandeur of pure Mormonism is the audacity to believe that all truth can be circumscribed into one whole – and that striving to comprehend that whole is worth the effort. Limting that whole to what we know now, and denying that there still is truth out there to be included in the circumscription process, goes against the very core of the Restoration.

This! Sometimes, Ray, you really hit the nail on the head.

I’ve been wondering a bit if how some people think of those who choose a Middle Way are ‘Cafeteria Mormons’, or in a recent thread, “Jack Mormons”. It’s such an inaccurate characterization. I think, and hope, that my pursuit of the Middle Way is about truth, all truth, and not being afraid of truth, regardless of where it comes from.

I remember many years ago reading in the “History of the Church” stories of JS entertaining “Mohammedans”, jews, people of faith of every stripe, and in so doing, being motivated to translate or incorporate in some cases, something of truth into his understanding of the Gospel. I think there is an imperative to seek truth:

1. If something is proven to be true, or beyond reasonable doubt, it’s simply part of the gospel. As we study the creation, and the processes whereby creation occurred, I come to be in awe of the creator. Evolution does not diminish my regard for god, it enhances my understanding of the absolute miracle of god’s inherent power: nature. That god works entirely through nature is part of what Joseph Smith said, at least, in section 88, one of his most important and thoughtful revelations.

2. If something true is in conflict with scripture, then we need to re-evaluate our literal understanding of the scripture. I have to recognize how scripture was written in the mind and heart of the revelator, and thus, it’s going to include the revelator’s worldview. Obviously, this is controversial to those who believe that scripture is literally and forever true. Scripture is the milk — it is not the meat of the gospel. As we grow up in our understanding, we sometimes need to set aside childish things.

3. There are a host of things that cannot be proven, and we need to take an attitude of suspended judgment for these things. I don’t know if we pre-existed. I think it’s a very useful model as part of the Plan of Salvation, but I simply don’t know. Is it imperative for me to say “I know we lived with god before this life”? I believe it, I trust in it, but I cannot explain it. I don’t know how it works.

4. I should never be afraid of truth. If Joseph Smith and Brigham Young did some pretty wacked out things, then I think it important to understand their humanity. I’m not afraid of it. I can understand how once you know that JS did a number of very deceptive things, that it’s hard to believe that he was also a ‘prophet’, but I don’t have a problem with it. I’m sure John Larsen thinks I’m intellectually dishonest as a result. Whatever. truth is truth. Judgment is entirely another matter. I think it’s true that Joseph did some pretty human things. My judgment is not affected by it — he’s still a prophet. He still facilitated the restoration. I find truth in the restoration, and therefore I can only conclude that God uses imperfect humans to do his work. This should be obvious from scripture.

So, to me, the Middle Way is about truth — all truth — and setting aside non-truth. It’s about integrity. Now, I was accused by a noted luminary in the DAMU that because I do not use my ‘realname’, that I both lack integrity and courage. (He told me to ‘grow a pair’…nice, eh?) Recognizing that people are on different levels, I choose to remain anonymous. Does that adversely affect my integrity? I hope not, although I can see how some might feel otherwise.

Oddly, I find it easier to be completely honest when I am anonymous. This may come from my years in 12-step programs, where the 12th tradition states, “Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.”

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