The Pursuit of Truth

On Friday I was chatting with a colleague and told him of my experience with the blog and how it had been a bit more than I bargained for when I discovered the truth about the R-rated movies from general authority quotes. He was hesitantly inquisitive about what I learned and I shared the quote in "R-rated Movies" from Bishop H Burke Peterson. After I finished and said my feelings on it he told me of his collection of edited R-rated movies and said, "Next time I ask, don't tell me."

Aren't we all like that sometimes - especially within the LDS church? See, we know that the road ahead isn't easy. It requires sacrifice and hard work almost every time we learn a new commandment or doctrine of the gospel. We desire, it seems, to avoid moments of instruction just to ensure that we won't be "caught with guile," (Alma 18:23).

But what are we doing to ourselves in those moments? Is it worth not hearing the word of the Lord so we can avoid new requirements and expectations? I thought about this, reflecting on my life before my mission and how little I exerted myself towards anything. Not surprisingly, "nothing ventured, nothing gained," seemed to prove itself true constantly. So I thought to myself, What are we to do? Then the scriptures started flooding into my mind.

"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated," (Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21). This simple and profound truth dictates the movement of the world. When we follow gospel laws - knowingly or not - we are blessed (further blessings are obviously obtained for the conscience adherence to a law). When we do not follow gospel laws - knowingly or not - we are cursed or at least not blessed.

As far as accountability is concerned the words of Mormon ring clear, "For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent," (Moroni 8:22). We are to be judged according to the truth that we know. It is the only condition that our thoughts, words and deeds will be pit against during judgment. This does not, however, give us entitlement to blessings (or the absence of cursings) despite our behavior. We can only obtain such by adhering to the laws they are predicated on.

For example: in America it is considered commonplace for young men and boys to engage in pornography and promiscuous activities. Yet from modern prophets we've learned that such behavior is destructive and debasing. Youth and adults who participate in such exploits are far more likely to treat women with disrespect, be unfaithful to spouses and even become abusive, than their chaste counterparts. Their adherence to the law - though unknown - still carries consequences. Their condemnation at the judgment will depend on the level of understanding they had, but their current state of being still is dependent on what laws they are following.

If we want to obtain the blessings promised we must adapt our behaviors to the laws of God and "true doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior," (Boyd K. Packer, “Do Not Fear,” Liahona, May 2004, 77–80). Therefore the pursuit of truth should be the goal of all of us. It is as the Savior said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," (John 8:32).

To those unwilling to move ahead I echo the words of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "it is not better to remain outside the Church nor to reject a mission call nor to put off marriage and so on and so on forever," (BYU Speeches of the Year, March 1999). We must seek after, adhere to and cleave unto truth for it ennobles and enlightens and it is what will lift us up when centered on Christ and his atonement. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.