Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a prominent leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has offered profound insights into the concept of truth, its elusiveness, and how to discover it. His teachings emphasize the importance of seeking truth through both reason and spiritual discernment, while acknowledging the limitations of human wisdom and the deceptive strategies of the adversary. This article explores Uchtdorf's perspective on truth, drawing from his various addresses and teachings, particularly his notable address at a CES broadcast in 2013.
The Restoration of the Gospel: A Foundation for Understanding Truth
Uchtdorf emphasizes that all truth, all pure knowledge, can be circumscribed by the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. The Restoration of the gospel is of great importance for each and every one of us. Through the knowledge of the Restoration, we learn that God has a plan for us that will enable us to both enjoy the beauties of life and cope with its sorrows and disappointments. This divine plan was established before the foundation of the earth and can enable us to return to our Heavenly Father one day. The Restoration of the gospel opens doors to glorious sources of knowledge and wisdom. Jesus taught, “The Spirit of truth . . . will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).
What is Truth? Beyond Belief and Human Wisdom
During the closing hours of His life, the Savior was brought before Pontius Pilate. Jesus replied, “For this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. The elusive nature of truth has been a favorite theme of history’s great poets and storytellers. Shakespeare seemed especially intrigued with it. Part of our problem in the quest for truth is that human wisdom has disappointed us so often. For example, in spite of one-time overwhelming consensus, the earth isn’t flat. The stars don’t revolve around the earth. Eating a tomato will not cause instant death. Uchtdorf challenges the common misconception of equating belief with truth. He asserts, "We too often confuse belief with truth, thinking that because something makes sense or is convenient, it must be true. Conversely, we sometimes don’t believe truth or reject it-because it would require us to change or admit that we were wrong." The essence of truth, he explains, lies in its existence independent of belief. "The thing about truth is that it exists beyond belief. It is true even if nobody believes it."
He illustrates this point with the story of Ignaz Semmelweis, a physician who discovered that hand washing significantly reduced childbed fever deaths. Despite the evidence, Semmelweis's findings were initially rejected because they contradicted the prevailing "truths" of the medical community. This example underscores that truth is not determined by consensus or convenience. It is different from belief. It is different from hope. Absolute truth is not dependent upon public opinion or popularity. Polls cannot sway it.
The Role of Knowledge and Intelligence
For us, knowledge is understood to be an active, motivating force rather than simply a passive awareness of facts. Indeed, certain truths must be understood and applied because they are essential for salvation and eternal life (see John 17:3; 1 John 4:7-8). The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “a man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity” (HC 4:588). It is knowledge of truth that makes us free to exercise our moral agency and freedom of choice (see Helaman 14:30-31). God Himself defines His glory in terms of light and truth. In modern-day revelation we read, “The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth” (D&C 93:36). Perhaps this is why ”pure knowledge . . . shall greatly enlarge the soul” (D&C 121:42). What is this knowledge, this intelligence, this light and truth that our Heavenly Father would have us receive? Certainly it is found in the scriptures and in the words of the living prophets. But it also includes what we consider to be secular. Some of the early apostles had little secular learning, while others were highly educated in the eyes of the world. It is wise, therefore, to keep a balanced and eternal perspective when seeking and studying all knowledge-revealed and secular. If we proceed on this path, we will learn to master ourselves, which in turn enables us to master this beautiful earth and its vast opportunities. And it will help us to become a more effective tool in the hands of the Lord.
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Discovering Truth: A Personal Responsibility
Uchtdorf emphasizes that the invitation to trust the Lord does not relieve us from the responsibility to know for ourselves. Latter-day Saints are not asked to blindly accept everything they hear. We are encouraged to think and discover truth for ourselves. We seek for truth wherever we may find it. Mormonism is truth. The first and fundamental principle of our holy religion is, that we believe that we have a right to embrace all, and every item of truth, without limitation or being. Yes, we do have the fulness of the everlasting gospel, but that does not mean that we know everything. The Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ came about because of a young man with a humble heart and a keen mind seeking for truth. Joseph studied and then acted accordingly. So we continually seek truth from all good books and other wholesome sources. “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” In this manner we can resist the deceit of the evil one.
Acknowledging the inherent difficulties in discerning truth, Uchtdorf points out, "As we all know, it is difficult enough to sort out the truth from our own experiences." He cautions against the adversary's cunning strategies, particularly the spreading of doubt among those who already embrace the truth. He notes that untrue claims or information are often presented in a way that appears credible, further complicating the search for truth.
The Divine Source of Truth
Despite the confusion and deceit in the world, Uchtdorf assures that there is a source of truth that is complete, correct, and incorruptible: our infinitely wise and all-knowing Heavenly Father. He knows truth as it was, as it is, and as it yet will be. It is His gospel. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we will only have enough courage and faith to walk in His path, it will lead us to peace of heart and mind, to lasting meaning in life, to happiness in this world, and to joy in the world to come.
The Role of the Holy Ghost
Recognizing the challenges of sifting through competing information, Uchtdorf highlights the crucial role of the Holy Ghost in discovering truth. "Our Heavenly Father knew how difficult it would be for us to sift through all the competing noise and discover truth during our mortality. He knew we would see only a portion of the truth, and He knew that Satan would try to deceive us."
The Holy Ghost is a revelator. The Witness of truth from the Holy Ghost is available to all, everywhere, all around the globe. All who seek to know the truth, who study it out in their minds, and who “ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, [will know] the truth . . . Yes, your loving Father in Heaven would never leave you alone in this mortality to wander in the dark. You need not be deceived.
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Avoiding Contention and Seeking Understanding
Uchtdorf cautions against approaching the search for truth with a spirit of contention. He observes that some individuals prioritize disputing and showing off their supposed learning over genuinely seeking to learn. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we know that such contention is completely inconsistent with the Spirit upon whom we depend in our search for truth.
Applying Truth in Daily Life
The teachings of Dieter F. Uchtdorf on truth extend beyond mere intellectual understanding. He emphasizes the practical application of truth in our daily lives. The keys of the kingdom of God have been restored again, and they are held by apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. The president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who is the senior apostle, holds all the keys necessary to preside over all the organizational and ordinance work of the Church.
He shares personal anecdotes, such as his and his wife's experiences attending BYU Campus Education Week and a parenting course, to illustrate the ongoing pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement. He also recounts the story of his mother-in-law, Sister Carmen Reich, who embraced the restored gospel after a period of seeking truth and experiencing personal revelation.
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