“You can bend it and twist it... You can misuse and abuse it... But even God cannot change the Truth.” - Michael Levy

Throughout human history, men and women have been in search for meaning in life; in search of truth. Questions about the existence of God and the why’s and how’s of life pervade every society. There are those who for centuries have argued that everything is relative to our experience. A group of philosophers known as “constructivists” argue that truth is not constant, but is only a result of our own individual experience and perspective. This belief seems to be held by many today. While it is true that we each have varying VIEWS of the world that have been impacted by our individual experience, there MUST be one constant reality. Truth must be absolute or we would not exist.

“Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be. All truth is independent in that sphere in which God as placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence.” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:29-30)

Our understandings of truth are imperfect, because we are imperfect. But because we simply fail to see the big picture, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist.

In today’s world, it seems that everything is relative. Morality is no longer believed by many to be an unchanging constant, but a value system unique to each individual and always up for debate. I refuse to accept this belief. I believe in black and white, in right and wrong, and in good and evil. I may be imperfect and therefore have an imperfect understanding of truth. However, I know with absolute certainty that truth exists and is not subject to revisal, re-interpretation, or adaptation according to our whims. And it certainly cannot be determined by a vote or a poll or be compromised. God and truth are real. It is simply our responsibility to discover them and align ourselves as closely as we can with the truth.

This is a subject that has been spoken of by great men and women throughout history: prophets, leaders, philosophers, and teachers. Their names are familiar to us, yet few have actually studied what they said and what they discovered.  In school we read ABOUT them, we read textbooks that dilute the meaning found in their actual words. As Socrates taught, we live as if in a cave. We are shown images on the wall that have been projected by those in power with the intent of maintaining and increasing their power. Instead of seeing the world and truth for what it is, we see images that reflect the truth, but that have lost their true meaning and are often twisted and manipulated by others.

We have two tools with which to discover truth: our minds and our hearts. Our minds and logical thought are powerful tools, but only of use when we listen to our heart as well. We must listen to the whisperings of the Spirit of God. We must not ignore the gentle voice that speaks to our heart of things “as they really are, and of things as they really will be.” (Jacob 4:13, Book of Mormon) God has told us through His prophets that with faith and “by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”(Moroni 9:23, Book of Mormon)

Once we discover these “truths" or principles, we must then apply them to our lives. If a principle is true then it can be applied to EVERY aspect of our lives including family, friend, and business relationships; politics; raising children; our conduct in private and in public; etc… I would like to use this blog as a tool for personal study. The main source for this study will be *scripture and the word of God as spoken to His prophets. However, philosophers and secular scholars also have taught much that is of value. I would like to also apply the truths that are uncovered to today’s society, politics, religion, culture, etc and attempt to find meaning in what seems to be a very confusing, amoral, and contradictory world.

*"Scripture" includes: King James versions of the Old and New Testaments, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price; "word of God" includes the words of modern-day apostles and prophets of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.