Not defining but Defined By the truth

[Anonymous]

When I hear “the gospel is true” anymore I personally hear something very similar to “truth is true.” Not because the consensus modern understanding of the LDS “gospel” contains the whole of unspoiled truth, but because by definition the LDS gospel is supposed to adhere to what is actually true.

I have in the past posted the quote from JS in the 2008/2009 P/RS manual p.264 “Mormonism IS truth…” along with my thoughts that if it isn’t actually true then it is false doctrine.

Today I came across the following quote by Brigham Young:

“Mormonism . . .embraces all truth in heaven and on earth, in the earth, under the earth, and in hell, if there be any truth there. There is not truth outside of it; there is no virtue outside of it; there is nothing holy and honorable outside of it; for, wherever these principles are found among all the creations of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and his order of Priesthood embrace them.” (American Moses p.405 note 9)

Some people may read this and find an offensive statement something like “no other churches contain any truth.” On the contrary I think it is saying as much as truth is found in other traditions – then those traditions are also a part of “the gospel.” I don’t think it discounts the idea that our LDS tradition may be mingled with error. “Truth is the gospel” simply suggests that we cherish the truth, seek for it, and embrace it wherever it reveals itself.

I also like the follow up quote in the same book:

“Not only does the religion of Jesus Christ make the people acquainted with the things of God, and develop within them moral excellence and purity, but it holds out every encouragement and inducement possible, for them to increase in knowledge and intelligence, in every branch of mechanism [engineering] or in the arts and sciences, for all wisdom, and all the arts and sciences in the world are from God, and are designed for the good of His people.” (p.405 note 10)

[Anonymous]

You know – this made me think about what – for want of a better word – “outsiders” say when confronted by the notion that the LDS Gospel is the truth

Some LDS members get confronted by non menbers who have latched on to this idea of the LDS gospel being THE truth

Why is it that LDS members are confronted by people who take offense at this

Catholics say the same of their beliefs

JW’s the same

Baptists – the same

(particularly the extreme right wing “baptist” groups)

So why does it appear to be primarily the LDS members who are targetted by people who take offense

it may not be the case that it is primarily LDS members who are targetted like this – but its how it CAN appear from time to time

i have been called many things

a cultist

a hippo worshiper (seriously someone thought that Mormons worshipped the great hippo)

a satanist

a polygamist (lol like i could HANDLE more than one wife )

since I joined the lds church

at the end of the day – every church in the world claims to have “THE” truth

and all claim that you can have knowldge of it through prayer and study.

Truth is – in my opinion – perception.

I cant get the wording right but its all about letting others beleive and worship whatever or whomever they individually chose

[Anonymous]

I agree. On some level, everyone in other churches/religions has to think their faith has the truth. If not the one and only truth, the best version of it in existence.

Otherwise, why would different churches exist?

I think we get into trouble from past statements where leaders called other churches “false” and “abominable.” The LDS Church doesn’t just say we are right. We have also actively believed that others were wrong. People don’t like that.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your comments, I agree with your observations. Yes, most churches claim possession of “THE” truth – the exclusiveness of the attitudes that follow is very unfortunate in my eyes. I see God as an inclusive unifier, not an exclusive divider. There is much talk, even in the Bible, that sounds more like men’s imperfect understanding than the true purpose of God. A “chosen” people being one of the primary items. I feel this can be put into a proper context (perhaps a better choice of words might include “faithful” or “blessed”, though they have their problems as well), but I also think as humans we all too often succumb to the “elitist” desires that are a part of human nature. We want to think we’re better than the masses in some definable way. I probably want to think that with my knowledge I’m more enlightened than the average member, I don’t fight this; I hope that by recognizing it I can step around some of the traps that it opens for me.

Anyway, my original post here was (in a way) proclaiming my independence from the traditions of “exclusive” truth. In my eyes truth is one of the gifts that God wants to give all of his children – and in some way all of his children have access to it. Exclusive truth to me makes as much sense as exclusive love, you just can’t tell people they don’t experience it. I think God wants everyone to have access to it from all different directions.

[Anonymous]

valoel has pointed this out in another thread (at least I think he was the one), but the thing I love about Mormonism the most is its paradoxical exclusivity AND universalism. “The only true and living church” combined with “bring all you have and help us learn more” – the “restored truth” combined with the “ever evolving understanding” – the “contemplation of the cosmos” with the “focus on becoming not just knowing” – etc.

Mormonism embraces paradox like no other Christian denomination I’ve ever encountered, which opens up all kinds of opportunities for limitless personal insight within clearly defined and conforming unity – perhaps the ultimate paradox. I really want that complexity, as much as it drives others nuts.

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