E is for Elevate Learning Experience
One of the greatest blessings in my life is Institute - a place we Mormons go to be edified and learn more about the gospel and Jesus Christ. This semester, I took a class called Foundations of the Restoration. Part of the requirements to complete the class is a set of essay questions. Tonight, I want to share one of my responses with you all. :)
How can I discern between truth and error?
I can discern between truth and error by listening to the Holy Spirit, having my own experiences, and studying and learning from reliable sources.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “Never in the history of the world have we had easier access to more information—some of it true, some of it false, and much of it partially true. Consequently, never in the history of the world has it been more important to learn how to correctly discern between truth and error.”
We are constantly surrounded by a mix of truth and lies. Technology provides great opportunities for learning, but it also provides many roads that lead to doubt. The world is lost and tries to tempt us in wrong directions. Many people – sometimes even trusted people – contend against us because their version of truth is different than our own. It can be very difficult to know who or what is right.
One of the surest ways to discern between truth and error is to have a close relationship with the Holy Spirit. When we are worthy of His guidance and open to His promptings, He can help us know what’s right and what’s wrong. Moroni 10:5 reads, And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. The Spirit testifies of Christ and will point us to righteous paths and knowledge.
Another way to discern between truth and error is to have our own spiritual experiences to lean on, so that we personally know what the Spirit feels like. It would be difficult to tell a horse and a donkey apart if you’d never seen them before. It is even more difficult to tell the difference between the goodness of God and the deception of the devil, if you have no experience with feeling the Spirit. We also need to exercise our agency in obeying promptings, so that we’re open to warnings when we come across something that isn’t right.
Another way to discern between truth and error is to be familiar with the truth. The devil is the father of lies and deception, and if we don’t have a foundation of knowledge to lean on, we’ll be swayed much more easily. It’s vital that we study the scriptures and the words of the prophets, so that we’ll recognize truth – and anything that isn’t in line with God’s teachings.
When it comes to matters of church history or other important questions, we need to look to reliable sources. The Church’s website is a trusted and invaluable source. If a source isn’t directly from the Church, how can we know if it’s reliable? Again, it’s important to be familiar with the truth so that we can recognize it. We also need to evaluate what the goal of the source is, and what direction the source is pointing in. N. T. Wright said, “Scripture itself points … away from itself and to the fact that final and true authority belongs to God himself.” If a source boasts of itself and doesn’t lead to God and His truth, it isn’t reliable.
In the scriptures and the words of the prophets, we will find the answers that we seek. Elder L. Tom Perry said, “I know the gospel is true. It answers all of life’s questions and problems that face us.” When we faithfully study the words of Christ and His servants and pray about them, the Spirit will testify of their truth, and that truth will help and guide us.
Discerning between truth and error can be difficult, but by using the right tools and the influence of the Spirit, we can do it. We are encouraged, even commanded, to find the truth for ourselves – to have our own experiences that will convert us. We are to faithfully ask questions and gain answers.
I can apply the principles that I have learned by studying the doctrine, seeking truth, and not heeding the lies and temptations of the adversary.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “Never in the history of the world have we had easier access to more information—some of it true, some of it false, and much of it partially true. Consequently, never in the history of the world has it been more important to learn how to correctly discern between truth and error.”
We are constantly surrounded by a mix of truth and lies. Technology provides great opportunities for learning, but it also provides many roads that lead to doubt. The world is lost and tries to tempt us in wrong directions. Many people – sometimes even trusted people – contend against us because their version of truth is different than our own. It can be very difficult to know who or what is right.
One of the surest ways to discern between truth and error is to have a close relationship with the Holy Spirit. When we are worthy of His guidance and open to His promptings, He can help us know what’s right and what’s wrong. Moroni 10:5 reads, And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. The Spirit testifies of Christ and will point us to righteous paths and knowledge.
Another way to discern between truth and error is to have our own spiritual experiences to lean on, so that we personally know what the Spirit feels like. It would be difficult to tell a horse and a donkey apart if you’d never seen them before. It is even more difficult to tell the difference between the goodness of God and the deception of the devil, if you have no experience with feeling the Spirit. We also need to exercise our agency in obeying promptings, so that we’re open to warnings when we come across something that isn’t right.
Another way to discern between truth and error is to be familiar with the truth. The devil is the father of lies and deception, and if we don’t have a foundation of knowledge to lean on, we’ll be swayed much more easily. It’s vital that we study the scriptures and the words of the prophets, so that we’ll recognize truth – and anything that isn’t in line with God’s teachings.
When it comes to matters of church history or other important questions, we need to look to reliable sources. The Church’s website is a trusted and invaluable source. If a source isn’t directly from the Church, how can we know if it’s reliable? Again, it’s important to be familiar with the truth so that we can recognize it. We also need to evaluate what the goal of the source is, and what direction the source is pointing in. N. T. Wright said, “Scripture itself points … away from itself and to the fact that final and true authority belongs to God himself.” If a source boasts of itself and doesn’t lead to God and His truth, it isn’t reliable.
In the scriptures and the words of the prophets, we will find the answers that we seek. Elder L. Tom Perry said, “I know the gospel is true. It answers all of life’s questions and problems that face us.” When we faithfully study the words of Christ and His servants and pray about them, the Spirit will testify of their truth, and that truth will help and guide us.
Discerning between truth and error can be difficult, but by using the right tools and the influence of the Spirit, we can do it. We are encouraged, even commanded, to find the truth for ourselves – to have our own experiences that will convert us. We are to faithfully ask questions and gain answers.
I can apply the principles that I have learned by studying the doctrine, seeking truth, and not heeding the lies and temptations of the adversary.
Bonnie Gwyn
nice post
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