We Believe: Doctrines of Mormonism: Truth: Knowledge of Truth

List of Doctrines on "Truth--Knowledge of Truth"

835. A person gains knowledge of truth through obedience to God.

836. God will give us knowledge of truth as fast as we are able to receive it.

837. The Lord teaches line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little.

838. To gain knowledge of truth requires our persistent effort.

839. All knowledge and intelligence we obtain in this life will rise with us in the resurrection.

840. Divine truth is eternal—it abides and endures forever and has no end.

841. Divine truth is absolute, ultimate, and pure; it never varies.

842. God uses the Holy Ghost to impart truth to His children.

843. Those who gain more knowledge of divine truth than others in this life have an advantage in the world to come.

844. It is impossible for a person to be saved in ignorance of the saving principles of the gospel.

835. A person gains knowledge of truth through obedience to God.

President Joseph F. Smith
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
John A. Widtsoe
John A. Widtsoe
John A. Widtsoe
Stephen L. Richards
Elder Ezra Taft Benson
Related Witnesses
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith

President Joseph F. Smith

Man is indebted to the source of all intelligence and truth, for the knowledge that he possesses; and all who will yield obedience to the promptings of the Spirit, which lead to virtue, to honor, to the love of God and man, and to the love of truth and that which is ennobling and enlarging to the soul, will get a cleaner, a more expansive, and a more direct and conclusive knowledge of God's truths than anyone else can obtain. CR1902Apr:85-86

Joseph Smith

He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things. (Revelation received at Kirtland, Ohio, May 6, 1833) D&C 93:28

Joseph Smith

And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments. . . .
19. . . . shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; (Revelation Feb. 27, 1833) D&C 89:18-19

Joseph Smith

That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. (Revelation for the elders of the Church, May 1831) D&C 50:24

J. Reuben Clark, Jr.

[O]bedience must often precede knowledge. CR1950Apr:181

John A. Widtsoe

To possess knowledge, and not to use it, or not to use it properly, is a sin. The failure of the human will to render obedience to God's law is not only unintelligent and unwise, it is sinful. On one occasion the Lord said to the Church, through the latter-day Prophet: "There are many who have been ordained among you, whom I have called but few of them are chosen. They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day." Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer were in the noon-day of knowledge, yet walked in darkness. Wisdom had departed from them. Therefore they were in sin. So may any man close his eyes in full sunlight and walk in darkness and commit a sin before God. The nations of earth, sated with knowledge, in the full light of a Gospel dispensation, walk in darkness. Therefore, the wages of sin are theirs. Their wars and contentions are sinful before the Lord, and punishment will follow until they open their eyes to the light.
The divine warning has been given: "If you keep not my commandments, the love of the Father shall not continue with you, therefore ye shall walk in darkness." Obedience to law leads to intelligence and wisdom and frees men from darkness and the charge of sin. CR1938Apr:51

John A. Widtsoe

[I]t often happens that a person of limited knowledge but who earnestly and prayerfully obeys the law, rises to a higher intelligence or wisdom, than one of vast Gospel learning who does not comply in his daily life with the requirements of the Gospel. Obedience to law is a mark of intelligence. CR1938Apr:50

John A. Widtsoe

Those who live the Gospel of Jesus Christ gain this higher knowledge, this greater testimony, this ultimate assurance that this is the truth. It is the way to truth. CR1938Oct:129

Stephen L. Richards

From these statements (D&C 93:24-29) we learn important things about truth, first, that truth is knowledge; second, that it comprehends all things, past, present, and future; third, that it is opposed by an adversary; fourth, that it is of God; fifth, that it may only be received in fullness by keeping God's commandments. (Where is Wisdom? p. 143) TLDP:701

Elder Ezra Taft Benson,

also quoting Joseph Smith
The Lord will increase our knowledge, wisdom, and capacity to obey when we obey His fundamental laws. This is what the Prophet Joseph Smith meant when he said we could have "sudden strokes of ideas" which come into our minds as "pure intelligence." (See TPJS:151.) This is revelation. We must learn to rely on the Holy Ghost so we can use it to guide our lives and the lives of those for whom we have responsibility. CR1983Apr:71-72

Related Witnesses:

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers.
40. But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth. (The Lord speaks by revelation at Kirtland, Ohio, May 6, 1833) D&C 93:39-40

Joseph Smith

An actual knowledge to any person, that the course of life which he pursues is according to the will of God, is essentially necessary to enable him to have that confidence in God, without which no person can obtain eternal life. It was this that enabled the ancient saints to endure all their afflictions and persecutions, and to take joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing (not believing merely) that they had a more enduring substance. Hebrews 10:34. . . .
4. Such was, and always will be, the situation of the saints of God, that unless they have an actual knowledge that the course they are pursuing is according to the will of God they will grow weary in their minds, and faint; . . . (Lectures on Faith delivered to the School of the Prophets, 1834-35) LOF6:2,4

836. God will give us knowledge of truth as fast as we are able to receive it.

Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
James E. Talmage
Ammon, son of Mosiah
Related Witnesses
Joseph Smith
Jesus
Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

Therefore, be ye as wise as serpents and yet without sin; and I will order all things for your good, as fast as ye are able to receive them. Amen. (Revelation, Aug. 6, 1836) D&C 111:11

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal. . . .
65. Behold, thou shalt observe all these things, and great shall be thy reward; for unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom, but unto the world it is not given to know them. . . . 68. Therefore, he that lacketh wisdom, let him ask of me, and I will give him liberally and upbraid him not. (Revelation "embracing the law of the Church," Feb. 9, 1831) D&C 42:61,65,68

Joseph Smith,
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

We consider that God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect; and that the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; and like the ancients, arrives at that point of faith where he is wrapped in the power and glory of his Maker and is caught up to dwell with Him. But we consider that this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment: he must have been instructed in the government and laws of that kingdom by proper degrees, until his mind is capable in some measure of comprehending the propriety, justice, equality, and consistency of the same. (Written message to the elders of the Church in Kirtland and elsewhere, Jan. 1834) TPJS:51

Joseph Smith,
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

The Lord deals with this people as a tender parent with a child, communicating light and intelligence and the knowledge of his ways as they can bear it. (Discourse on 2nd Peter, first chapter, May 21, 1843) HC5:401-03; TPJS:305

James E. Talmage

Faith a Gift of God . . . . No compulsion is used in bringing men to a knowledge of God; yet, as fast as we open our hearts to the influences of righteousness, the faith that leads to life eternal will be given us of our Father. AF:97

Ammon, son of Mosiah
quoted by Mormon

Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance. (Ammon addresses his brethren, 90-77 B.C.) Alma 26:22

Related Witnesses:

Joseph Smith

How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints. (Revelation received in Liberty Jail, March 20, 1839) D&C 121:33

Jesus,
recorded in Matthew

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount) Matthew 7:7-8

Joseph Smith

God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now;
27. Which our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation to be revealed in the last times, which their minds were pointed to by the angels, as held in reserve for the fulness of their glory;
28. A time to come in the which nothing shall be withheld, whether there be one God or many gods, they shall be manifest.
29. All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
30. And also, if there be bounds set to the heavens or to the seas, or to the dry land, or to the sun, moon, or stars—
31. All the times of their revolutions, all the appointed days, months, and years, and all the days of their days, months, and years, and all their glories, laws, and set times, shall be revealed in the days of the dispensation of the fulness of times—
32. According to that which was ordained in the midst of the Council of the Eternal God of all other gods before this world was, that should be reserved unto the finishing and the end thereof, when every man shall enter into his eternal presence and into his immortal rest. (Revelation received in Liberty Jail, March 20, 1839) D&C 121:26-32

837. The Lord teaches line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little.

Isaiah
Joseph Smith
George Q. Cannon
Nephi, son of Lehi
Boyd K. Packer
Bruce R. McConkie
Joseph Smith
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
James E. Faust
Richard G. Scott
Related Witnesses
President Joseph F. Smith
Boyd K. Packer

Isaiah

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? . . .
10. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: (The words of Isaiah, 740-659 B.C.; revelation comes line upon line) Isaiah 28:9-10

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

George Q. Cannon

The possession and complete understanding of one truth or principle in the system is but the stepping-stone to the complete and perfect comprehension of its adjacent truth; and thus the investigator is gradually led on from one truth to another, until the mind is fully developed, and he beholds a grand and beautiful system, perfect in all its parts, and every truth having such an intimate relationship with its fellow-truth, that to believe and fully grasp one with the mind is to believe and grasp the other. (Gospel Truth, 2:8) TLDP:704-05

Nephi, son of Lehi

Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough 30. For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. (Nephi foretells the last days, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 28:29-30

Boyd K. Packer

Revelation is a continuous principle in the Church. In one sense the Church is still being organized. As light and knowledge are given, as prophecies are fulfilled and more intelligence is received, another step forward can be taken. (The Holy Temple, p. 137) TLDP:569

Bruce R. McConkie

The Lord gives his word to men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, confirming their hope, building each new revelation upon the foundations of the past, giving his children only that portion of his word which they are able to bear. . . .
Alma summarized the restrictions under which preachers of righteousness serve by saying: "It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him." Such is the universal principle; it is not how much the teacher knows, but how much the student is prepared to receive. Strong and deep doctrine, spoken to rebellious people, drives them further away and widens the gulf between them and the saints of God. . . .
. . . . Even the true saints—the believing disciples, those who have accepted the gospel and received the gift of the Holy Ghost—are not prepared to receive all things. We have the fulness of the everlasting gospel, meaning we have every truth, power, priesthood, and key needed to enable us to gain the fulness of salvation in our Father's kingdom. But we do not have, and are not yet prepared to receive, the fulness of gospel truth. (The Mortal Messiah, 2:235-37) TLDP:672-73

Joseph Smith

When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave. (To the Church in general conference—to a congregation of 20,000—"King Follett Sermon," April 7, 1844) (See HC6:302-17, also see The Words of Joseph Smith, pp. 340-62.) TPJS:348; DGSM:29

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

The truth had to come piecemeal—line upon line, precept upon precept, just like knowledge comes to all of us. CHMR1:95; DCSM:42

James E. Faust

A testimony begins with the acceptance by faith of the divine mission of Jesus Christ, the head of this Church; and the prophet of the Restoration, Joseph Smith. The gospel as restored by Joseph Smith is either true or it is not. To receive all of the promised blessings we must accept the gospel in faith and in full. However, this certain faith does not usually come all at once. We learn spiritually line upon line and precept upon precept. (CR 2003Oct; Lord, I Believe; Help Thou Mine Unbelief, Ensign, November 2003, p.19)

Richard G. Scott

Your testimony may begin from acknowledgment that the teachings of the Lord seem reasonable. But it must grow from practicing those laws. Then your own experience will attest to their validity and yield the results promised. That confirmation will not all come at once. A strong testimony comes line upon line, precept upon precept. It requires faith, time, consistent obedience, and a willingness to sacrifice. (CR 2001Oct; The Power of a Strong Testimony, Ensign, November 2001, p.87)

Related Witnesses:

President Joseph F. Smith

[A]s men grow in the knowledge of God, they shall become more and more like him unto the perfect day, when his knowledge shall cover the earth as the waters cover the deep. (Gospel Doctrine, p. 400) TLDP:339-40

Boyd K. Packer

Many elements of truth come only after a lifetime of preparation. CR1974Apr:138

838. To gain knowledge of truth requires our persistent effort.

Howard W. Hunter
Joseph Smith
Elder Joseph F. Smith
Ammon, son of Mosiah
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
Alma, the younger
John A. Widtsoe
Related Witnesses
Joseph Smith
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
Elder Spencer W. Kimball

Howard W. Hunter

As important as scientific research may be, the greatest quest is a search for God—to determine his reality, his personal attributes, and to secure a knowledge of the gospel of his Son Jesus Christ. It is not easy to find a perfect understanding of God. The search requires persistent effort, and there are some who never move themselves to pursue this knowledge. CR1974Oct:138

Joseph Smith,

Hyrum Smith, Lyman Wight
The things of God are of vast importance, and require time and experience as well as deep and solemn thought to find them out; and if we would bring souls to salvation it requires that our minds should rise to the highest heavens, search into and contemplate the lowest abyss, expand wide as eternity and hold communion with Deity. ("Copy of a Letter Written . . . While in Prison," Times and Seasons, May 1840, p. 102) TLDP:341-42

Elder Joseph F. Smith

If I have learned something through prayer, supplication, and perseverance in seeking to know the truth, and I tell it to you, it will not be knowledge unto you. I can tell you how you can obtain it, but I cannot give it to you. If we receive this knowledge, it must come from the Lord. He can touch your understandings and your spirits, so that you shall comprehend perfectly and not be mistaken. But I cannot do that. You can obtain this knowledge through repentance, humility, and seeking the Lord with full purpose of heart until you find Him. He is not afar off. It is not difficult to approach Him, if we will only do it with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, as did Nephi of old. [2 Nephi 4:32] This was the way in which Joseph Smith, in his boyhood, approached Him. He went into the woods, knelt down, and in humility he sought earnestly to know which church was acceptable to God. He received an answer to his prayer, which he offered from the depths of his heart, and he received it in a way that he did not expect. CR1899Oct:71

Ammon, son of Mosiah ,
quoted by Mormon

Elder Spencer W. Kimball

God and his program will be found only in deep pondering, appropriate reading, much kneeling in devout, humble prayer, and in a sincerity born of need and dependence.
These requirements having been fully met, there is no soul between the poles nor from ocean to ocean who may not positively obtain this knowledge, this hidden treasure of knowledge, this saving and exalting knowledge. . . .
The ultimate and greatest of all knowledge, then, is to know God and his program for our exaltation. We may know him by sight, by sound, by feeling. While relatively few ever do really know him, everyone may know him. . . . CR1968Oct:130

Alma, the younger,
quoted by Mormon

It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. 10. And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full. 11. And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. (Alma contends with the wicked Zeezrom, about 82 B.C.) Alma 12:9-11

John A. Widtsoe

These . . . are the steps on the way to truth: Desire, prayer, study, and practice. They form the eternal price which must be paid for truth.
This way must be found by each person for himself. Another cannot desire, pray, study, or practice in our stead and for us. Truth must be won individually.
The way to truth is the way to a testimony of the truth of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Try it It never fails those who travel it sincerely. Those who live most, live by truth. (Evidences and Reconciliations, 3:84-85) TLDP:705

Related Witnesses:

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. 8. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
9. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me. (Revelation for Oliver Cowdery, April 1829; the Book of Mormon is translated by study and by spiritual confirmation) D&C 9:7-9

J. Reuben Clark, Jr.

Thus God made clear that the gaining of knowledge is not to be like the commonplace work of earning a living. He who invades the domain of knowledge must approach it as Moses came to the burning bush; he stands on holy ground; he would acquire things sacred; he seeks to make his own the attributes of Deity, the truth which Christ declared he was (John 14:6), and which shall make us free (John 8:32), free of the shackles of time and space, which shall be no more. We must come to this quest of truth—in all regions of human knowledge whatsoever—not only in reverence, but with a spirit of worship.
In all his promises and commandments about gaining knowledge, the Lord has never withheld from our quest any field of truth. Our knowledge is to be coterminous with the universe and is to reach out and to comprehend the laws and the workings of the deeps of the eternities. All domains of all knowledge belong to us. In no other way could the great law of eternal progression be satisfied. (Charge to President Howard S. McDonald at his inauguration as president of Brigham Young University, Nov. 14, 1945, delivered by J. Reuben Clark, Jr., in behalf of the First Presidency, IE1946Jan:60-63) MOFP6:231-32

Elder Spencer W. Kimball

The Lord has promised repeatedly that he will give you a knowledge of spiritual things when you have placed yourself in a proper frame of mind. He has counseled us to seek, ask, and search diligently. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 63) TLDP:686

839. All knowledge and intelligence we obtain in this life will rise with us in the resurrection.

Joseph Smith
Charles A. Callis
President Spencer W. Kimball

Joseph Smith

Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
19. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come. (Revelation, April 2, 1830) D&C 130:18-19

Charles A. Callis,

also quoting Joseph Smith
The Prophet Joseph Smith said: "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another he will have so much the advantage in the world to come." What knowledge? The pure knowledge that greatly enlarges the soul, that makes us more like God by giving more understanding of his glorious purposes. CR1939Oct:20

President Spencer W. Kimball

Each one of you has it within the realm of his possibility to develop a kingdom over which you will preside as its king and God. You will need to develop yourself and grow in ability and power and worthiness, to govern such a world with all of its people. You are sent to this earth not merely to have a good time or to satisfy urges or passions or desires. You are sent to this earth, not to ride merry-go-rounds, airplanes, automobiles, and have what the world calls "fun."
You are sent to this world with a very serious purpose. You are sent to school, for that matter, to begin as a human infant and grow to unbelievable proportions in wisdom, judgment, knowledge, and power, that is why you and I cannot be satisfied with saying merely "I like that or want that." That is why in our childhood and our youth and our young adulthood we must stretch and grow and remember and prepare for the later life when limitations will terminate so that we can go on and on and on. (At University of Utah Institute of Religion, Oct. 1976) DGSM:29

840. Divine truth is eternal—it abides and endures forever and has no end.

Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Charles W. Penrose
Recorded in Psalms
Related Witnesses
Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

[M]y Spirit is truth; truth abideth and hath no end; and if it be in you it shall abound. (Revelation, Dec. 27/28, 1832; the "olive leaf message of peace") D&C 88:66

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. 38. What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.
39. For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation received during a conference of elders of the Church, Nov. 1, 1831) D&C 1:37-39

Charles W. Penrose

The truth of God abideth forever. CR1911Oct:48

Recorded in Psalms

[A]nd the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. (A psalm of David) Psalms 117:2

Related Witnesses:

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;
25. And whatsoever is more or less than this is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning.
26. The Spirit of truth is of God. I am the Spirit of truth, and John bore record of me, saying: He received a fulness of truth, yea, even of all truth; . . . (The Lord speaks by revelation at Kirtland, Ohio, May 6, 1833) D&C 93:24-26

841. Divine truth is absolute, ultimate, and pure; it never varies.

Charles W. Penrose
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
President Spencer W. Kimball
President Spencer W. Kimball
Elder Ezra Taft Benson
Related Witnesses:
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
Alma, the younger
Mormon
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith

Charles W. Penrose

Truth does not change with the centuries. It will not change with the eternal ages. The truth of God abideth forever. That which is true, coming from Him in one age of the world, is true in another. [See D&C 93:24-25.] That which is true on one of His worlds that He has created, is true in all the worlds that He has caused to be organized and sent forth, each in its place, rolling in space, revolving upon its own axis, preserved in its own sphere, in its own orbit, and with the others contributing to the glory of God and bespeaking His handiwork. Truth never changes. Our conception of a truth may change as we grow in wisdom and understanding, and in clearness of spiritual vision. That which appeared to us to be true at one time we may find out later to be incorrect, and so it is we who change, and not the truth that changes. CR1911Oct:48

J. Reuben Clark, Jr.

These are some of the ultimate truths, which God has revealed to us. These truths endure; they are the same in all lands, and among all people, and at all times. They are changeless. They are the truths which must take precedence over all contrary theories, dogmas, hypotheses, or relative truths from whatever source or by whomsoever brought. These ultimate truths may not be questioned. All secular truths will, must, finally conform to these ultimate truths.
He wounds, maims, and cripples a soul who raises doubts about or destroys faith in the ultimate truths. God will hold such a one strictly accountable; and who can measure the depths to which one shall fail who wilfully shatters in another the opportunity for celestial glory. These ultimate truths are royal truths to which all human wisdom and knowledge are subject. These truths point the way to celestial glory. (Charge to President Howard S. McDonald at his inauguration as president of Brigham Young University, Nov. 14, 1945, delivered by J. Reuben Clark, Jr., in behalf of the First Presidency, IE1946Jan:60-63) MOFP6:237

President Spencer W. Kimball

This true way of life is not a matter of opinion. There are absolute truths and relative truths. The rules of dietetics have changed many times in my lifetime. Many scientific findings have changed from year to year. The scientists taught for decades that the world was once a nebulous, molten mass cast off from the sun, and later many scientists said it once was a whirl of dust which solidified. There are many ideas advanced to the world that have been changed to meet the needs of the truth as it has been discovered. There are relative truths, and there are also absolute truths which are the same yesterday, today, and forever—never changing. These absolute truths are not altered by the opinions of men. As science has expanded our understanding of the physical world, certain accepted ideas of science have had to be abandoned in the interest of truth. Some of these seeming truths were stoutly maintained for centuries. The sincere searching of science often rests only on the threshold of truth, whereas revealed facts give us certain absolute truths as a beginning point so we may come to understand the nature of man and the purpose of his life. ("Absolute Truth," Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, 1977, p. 137-38) TLDP:706

President Spencer W. Kimball

We learn about these absolute truths by being taught by the Spirit. These truths are 'independent' in their spiritual sphere and are to be discovered spiritually, though they may be confirmed by experience and intellect. (See D&C 93:30.) ("Absolute Truth," EN1978Sept:3-4) DGSM:3

Elder Ezra Taft Benson

In the Church we have no fear that any discovery of new truths will ever be in conflict with these standards—with any fundamental basic principle which we advocate in the Gospel. Truth is always consistent. This fact gives to us as members of the Church a feeling of great security, a feeling of peace, a feeling of assurance. We know beyond any question that the truths which we advocate, the truths of the Gospel restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph, are in very deed the truths of heaven. These truths will always be consistent with the discovery of any new truths, whether discovered in the laboratory, through research of the scientist, or whether revealed from heaven through prophets of God. Time is always on the side of truth. CR1958Apr:60

Related Witnesses:

J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
Temporal truths relate to the materials, forces, compositions that are universe-wide, and to matters that generally are covered as matters of science, economics, sociology, politics, and like matters—I am not listing, I am only indicating—they are essentially non-scriptural, except where the Lord has declared the truth.
Spiritual truths include all matters relating to the principles and doctrines of religion, as generally termed, and all matters of scriptures dealing therewith, and all matters affecting the progress, development, and destiny of the soul of man. Again I am not listing, but indicating.
The first matters, temporal truths, are not normally controlled by revelations of the Lord concerning them and are, so to say, in the public domain. They may be discussed, investigated, experimented upon, theorized about, and handled in any way we wish, with the exception noted.
Spiritual truths, on the other hand, are to be found in and are governed and controlled by the revelations of our Heavenly Father as contained in the scriptures and in inspired utterances of his prophets. . . . As President Joseph F. Smith said, as already quoted:
". . . . There never was and never will be any conflict between truth revealed by the Lord to his servants, the prophets, and truth revealed by him to the scientist, who makes his discoveries through his research and study." ("The Genius of Our Church Organization," Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, June 17, 1958, p. 16) TLDP:706

Alma, the younger,
quoted by Mormon

I perceive that it has been made known unto you, by the testimony of his word, that he cannot walk in crooked paths; neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; neither hath he a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that which is right to that which is wrong; therefore, his course is one eternal round. (Alma preaches to the people in Gideon, about 83 B.C.) Alma 7:20

Mormon

For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity. (Mormon writes to his son Moroni, prior to A.D. 384) Moroni 8:18

Joseph Smith

For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round. (Revelation, July 1828) D&C 3:2

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever. (Revelation to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, Dec. 1830) D&C 35:1

842. God uses the Holy Ghost to impart truth to His children.

Moroni, son of Mormon
Nephi, son of Lehi
Delbert L. Stapley
Jesus
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Bruce R. McConkie

Moroni, son of Mormon

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. (The final writings of Moroni, about A.D. 421) Moroni 10:5

Nephi, son of Lehi

For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round. (Nephi's writings, 600-592 B.C.) 1 Nephi 10:19

Delbert L. Stapley

The Holy Ghost is a revelator of truth. . . . CR1966Oct:112

Jesus,

recorded by John
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (Jesus discourses on the mission of the Holy Ghost) John 16:13

Joseph Smith,
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

[W]e believe that it [the gift of the Holy Ghost] . . . brings things past to our remembrance, leads us into all truth, and shows us of things to come; we believe that "no man can know that Jesus is the Christ, but by the Holy Ghost." (Editorial in "Times and Seasons," June 1842) HC5:27; TPJS:243

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
20. If it be some other way it is not of God.
21. Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?
22. Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together. (Revelation for the elders of the Church, May 1831) D&C 50:19-22

Joseph Smith

Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth; . . . (Revelation, March 9, 1833) D&C 91:4

Bruce R. McConkie

True it is that honest truth seekers come to know of the truth and divinity of the Lord's work by the power of the Holy Ghost: they receive a flash of revelation telling them that Jesus is the Lord, that Joseph Smith is his prophet, that the Book of Mormon is the mind and will and voice of the Lord, that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living Church upon the whole earth. They gain a testimony before baptism. But it is only after they pledge their all in the cause of Christ that they receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the heavenly endowment of which Jesus spoke. Then they receive a fulfillment of the promise: "by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10:5) Then they receive the "spirit of revelation," and the Lord tells them in their heart and in their mind whatsoever he will. (D&C 8:1-3(The Millennial Messiah, pp. 98-99) DGSM:45

843. Those who gain more knowledge of divine truth than others in this life have an advantage in the world to come.

Joseph Smith
Charles A. Callis
Related Witnesses
President Joseph F. Smith
Elder Harold B. Lee

Joseph Smith

Charles A. Callis

The Prophet Joseph Smith said: "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another he will have so much the advantage in the world to come." What knowledge? The pure knowledge that greatly enlarges the soul, that makes us more like God by giving more understanding of his glorious purposes. CR1939Oct:20

Related Witnesses:

President Joseph F. Smith

Elder Harold B. Lee

Truth is the scepter of power, which if man possesses, will give him "dominion" and the ability to "subdue all things." (Decisions for Successful Living, p. 188) TLDP:704

844. It is impossible for a person to be saved in ignorance of the saving principles of the gospel.

Bruce R. McConkie
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
Elder Ezra Taft Benson
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Related Witnesses
President Spencer W. Kimball
Joseph Smith
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
President Brigham Young
Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards
Joseph Smith

Bruce R. McConkie

Man's hope of gaining salvation is in direct proportion to his knowledge of God and the laws of salvation. No man can be saved in ignorance of Jesus Christ and the laws of the gospel. Man is saved no faster then he gains knowledge of God and the saving truths recorded in the scriptures. A fountain cannot rise above its source; a people cannot live laws of which they are ignorant, nor believe in a Christ about whom they know little or nothing. The Lord expects his people to learn the doctrines of salvation. "Search these commandments" (D&C 1:37), is a decree which applies in principle to all revelations of all ages. (The Mortal Messiah, 2:81) TLDP:339

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

Now I say it boldly, all the knowledge that a man can gain in this world or beyond this world, independent of the spirit of God, the inspiration of the Almighty, will not lead him to a fulness. . . .
. . . . It is, however, knowledge of the principles of the Gospel that will save men in the Kingdom of God. CR1939Apr:102-03

Elder Ezra Taft Benson

The most vital knowledge you can learn is the saving truths of the gospel—the truths that will make the difference in your eternal welfare. The most vital words that you can read are those of the Presidents of the Church—particularly the living prophet—and those of the apostles and prophets. God encourages learning in many areas, and vocational skills will have increasing importance. There is much reading material that is available which is either time-wasting or corrupting. The best yardstick to use in discerning the worth of true knowledge and learning is to go first and foremost to the words of the Lord's prophets. ("In His Steps," Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, 1979, p. 62) TLDP:706

Joseph Smith,
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

As far as we degenerate from God, we descend to the devil and lose knowledge, and without knowledge we cannot be saved, and while our hearts are filled with evil, we are studying evil, there is no room in our hearts for good, or studying good. Is not God good? Then you be good; if He is faithful, then you be faithful. Add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, and seek for every good thing. . . .
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. [Italics supplied.] (From a synopsis by Elder Wilford Woodruff of the Prophet's remarks in a talk in the Grove, Nauvoo, Ill., April 10, 1842) HC4:588; TPJS:217; MPSG1972-73:7

Joseph Smith,
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

Add to your faith knowledge, etc. 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. (From a sermon at Yelrome, May 14, 1843, drawn from a synopsis by Elder Wilford Woodruff) HC5:387-90; TPJS:297; MPSG1972-73:7

Related Witnesses:

President Spencer W. Kimball

[W]e must recognize that secular knowledge alone can never save a soul nor open the celestial kingdom to anyone. . . .
. . . . Yet secular knowledge can be most helpful to [those] who have found and are living those truths which lead one to eternal life, ("Seek Learning, Even by Study and Also by Faith," EN1983Sept:3) DGSM:3

Joseph Smith

It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance. (Instructions, May 16/17, 1843) D&C 131:6

Elder Spencer W. Kimball

President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards

(First Presidency)
If men would be great in goodness, they must be intelligent, for no man can do good unless he knows how; therefore seek after knowledge, all knowledge, and especially that which is from above, which is wisdom to direct in all things, and if you find any thing that God does not know, you need not learn that thing; but strive to know what God knows, and use that knowledge as God uses it, and then you will be like him; will see as you are seen, and know as you are known; and have charity, love one another, and do each other good continually, and for ever, even as for yourselves. ("Sixth General Epistle of the Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," Millennial Star, Jan. 15, 1852, p. 22) TLDP:341

Joseph Smith,
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

It is not to be wondered at that men should be ignorant, in a great measure, of the principles of salvation, and more especially of the nature, office, power, influence, gifts, and blessings of the gift of the Holy Ghost, when we consider that the human family have been enveloped in gross darkness and ignorance for many centuries past, without revelation, or any just criterion [by which] to arrive at a knowledge of the things of God, which can only be known by the Spirit of God. (Editorial in Times and Seasons, HC5:26-32, June 15, 1842) TPJS:242

Author's Note: Elder Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: "The Prophet did say that a man cannot be saved in ignorance, but in ignorance of what? He said that a man cannot be saved in ignorance of the saving principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ." (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:290)

We Believe: Doctrines and Principles

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Truth: Knowledge of Truth

Related Witnesses:

836. God will give us knowledge of truth as fast as we are able to receive it.

Related Witnesses:

837. The Lord teaches line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little.

Related Witnesses:

838. To gain knowledge of truth requires our persistent effort.

Related Witnesses:

839. All knowledge and intelligence we obtain in this life will rise with us in the resurrection.

840. Divine truth is eternal—it abides and endures forever and has no end.

Related Witnesses:

841. Divine truth is absolute, ultimate, and pure; it never varies.

Related Witnesses:

842. God uses the Holy Ghost to impart truth to His children.

843. Those who gain more knowledge of divine truth than others in this life have an advantage in the world to come.

Related Witnesses:

844. It is impossible for a person to be saved in ignorance of the saving principles of the gospel.

Related Witnesses: