What is Truth?

In the premise of the original Star Wars Trilogy, we meet a young man named Luke Skywalker. After encountering some trouble in the desert of Tatooine , old Ben Kenobi, formerly known as Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi comes to the aid of Luke. They return to Kenobi’s place of residence on Tatooine and have a lengthy discussion about the Old Republic, the clone wars, Jedi Knights, and Luke’s father, Anakin Skywalker. Kenobi, reveals that he was once a Jedi Knight, like Luke’s father. Luke having been raised by his aunt and uncle whom didn’t want Luke to have the same fate as his father, didn’t know much about the details of how his father died. He simply asks Kenobi “How did my father die?” Kenobi responds:

“ A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights. He betrayed and murdered your father.” (Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope).

As the story continues, Luke follows Kenobi as a trusted mentor on a mission which ultimately leads to the destruction of the first death star, which is also where Kenobi is defeated at the hands of Darth Vader himself.

As time passes, Luke eventually has to confront Vader in an attempt to rescue his friends in Cloud City. As Vader gets the upper hand in battle, Luke is cornered, and Vader reveals something to Luke he was not expecting. Vader said, “Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father.” Luke replied, “He told me enough! He told me you killed him!” to which Vader said, “No. I am your father”. Luke, emotional and in denial said in response “No. No. That’s not true. That’s impossible!”. (Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back)

Later on Luke met with Obi-Wan Kenobi whom despite his death, carried on in spirit. Luke was understandably distraught over the revelation of his father, but also at the fact his mentor of all people would hide the truth from him. Luke questioned, “Why didn’t you tell me? You told me Vader betrayed and murdered my father!” Obi-Wan caught in the predicament of knowing he hadn’t been fully truthful attempts to excuse himself and explain:

“Your father was seduced by the dark side of the force. He ceased to be Anakin Skywalker and became Darth Vader. When that happened, the good man that was your father was destroyed. So what I told you was true. From a certain point of view”. (Star Wars Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi)

Luke’s immediate response was, “A certain point of view?!”. However, here is where Kenobi offers an interesting insight that seems to apply to humanity in general: “Luke, you’re going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view”.

Kenobi, like many of the institutions, governments, religions and other entities in society today may have ugly truths related to them that they simply don’t want to be out in the open in full disclosure, because it might harm their reputation. In other instances, they might see lying as the greater good for an individual like Luke. Perhaps Kenobi with good intentions thought Luke was better off being kept from the truth.

That’s the thing about truth. If kept from it, you find yourself in the dark. Unable to see things as they really are, if you can see them at all. With it, you are filled with light around you. Light illuminates your surroundings , not only helping you see more clearly, but providing a larger scope and perspective of facts.

Luke was the hope of the rebellion in defeating Vader and the empire as a whole. Being kept in the dark about his father, Kenobi, and Master Yoda hoped Luke would go and defeat Vader without question, all for the sake of peace in the Galaxy. When the truth was confirmed to Luke, he knew within himself that he couldn’t bring himself to kill his own father. Armed with truth, he not only defeated the empire, but brought about his father’s redemption in the process as well.

What is Truth? In the LDS Edition of the Doctrine in Covenants truth is defined as the following:

“And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;

And whatsoever is more or less than this is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning.” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:24-25, LDS Edition)

Truth quite literally, is what it is. Institutions or individuals that seek to excuse their explanations of their “certain points of view” would tell you truth is more nuanced and offer a context to fit their narrative. Context certainly is a portion of truth, so long as it is not a fabricated context to excuse omissions, and ultimately mislead someone. Remember, whatever spin or context Kenobi later provided to Luke, the truth of the matter was that Luke was led to believe that his father was literally murdered by Darth Vader or deceased in the literal sense.

Lets look into the nuance of Truth some more. Jehovah on Mount Sinai had this to say to Moses as a commandment for his people:

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” (Exodus 20:16)

Jesus said:

“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”

Are there “truths” you cling to simply because you have been brought up with a “certain point of view” ? Are you actively seeking truth, and adapting your perceptions of Truth when you realize you, or the institutions you support haven’t been fully truthful? If your religion has hidden truth from you, they are using a plurality of doctrines to excuse themselves.

My intent in this article is to not hash out in detail which doctrines of the gospel or LDS church are true doctrines or not, but rather to define truth as it is. I will use an example of an LDS church doctrine, namely polygamy as an example of an institution not being truthful about its doctrines and practices. The subject of Polygamy will be addressed in detail in another article.

Polygamy’s origin within the LDS church has been highly debated in recent years. Through the Joseph Smith Papers Project, a lot of evidence has been uncovered about the practice’s origin. Critics and LDS Historians alike assert that Joseph Smith Jr. was the originator of Polygamy as a practice in the LDS church. Other’s who have researched many of these contemporary documents within the project, as well as statements made Joseph Smith Jr. himself rebut these assertions that he was the originator of Mormon Polygamy, and that it was likely Brigham Young that originated the practice in Mormonism.

Let’s take a look at some examples and assertions on this subject to illustrate how truth quickly becomes distorted when trying to fit a narrative. Smith declared his innocence of Polygamy. He stated:

“What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing ​adultery​ and having seven wives when I can only find one. I am the same man, and as innocent as I was fourteen years ago, and I can prove them all perjurers.” (Joseph Smith Papers, May 26, 1844)

Here Smith clearly declares his innocence of such accusations. In his own words, we can deduce the truth from his “certain point of view”. But the LDS church, who reveres Smith as the prophet of the restoration believes that Smith was polygamy’s originator in Mormonism. How do they reconcile Smith’s statement with their own beliefs? Look no further than the Gospel Topics Essays on the church’s website which in a way functions as the church’s official apologetic arm. In the gospel topics essay on “Plural Marriage”, the church attempts to offer their own context of statements such as the above. They start off by stating that there were men doing their own variation of unauthorized practice of polygamy or spiritual wifery, and that this is what Smith was speaking against. In relation to the statements from Smith himself like I shared above they state:

“The rumors prompted members and leaders to issue carefully worded denials that denounced spiritual wifery and polygamy but were silent about what Joseph Smith and others saw as divinely mandated “celestial” plural marriage.” (churchofjesuschrist.org, Gospel Topics Essays, Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo).

If you believe Joseph Smith Jr. was a prophet of God and an honest man, why must the church nuance what seems like a declaration of truth from Smith? Is there something church doesn’t want you to know? If Joseph Smith wasn’t the originator of Polygamy, what does this say about Brigham Young who called a conference in August 1852 to publicly announce the practice of polygamy to the church? (see Journal of Discourses Volume 1:9). I will address the truth about polygamy in a later article. The question I pose to illustrate my point is: If you knew the truth about polygamy, that it was in fact not of God, but just a plurality of doctrines, how would knowing that truth change your perception on life, the church, it’s leaders, and ordinances? Perhaps you, like Luke could accomplish a great deal more after coming to learn the truth.

If there is any nuance to truth, it may be simply the fact that with all the distractions of society it can be challenging to find the truth, and discern truth. Where do you start in seeking truth? As always, the best source I can recommend for topics such as these is Jesus Christ. Consider his words in relation to truth:

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:1-6, KJV)

In his own words Jesus Christ is the truth. He should be your primary source of truth. Discernment of truth deserves its own article which will be forthcoming in the future. However, I will briefly address discernment of truth because of the topic at hand. Many in the Mormon circles like to use their own “spiritual witness” as points of refutation on topics they don’t agree with. Its been engrained into us from childhood to always “bear testimony” rather than debate the truths that are taught in the scriptures. For example, on the polygamy topic, I might equate polygamy to adultery. The scriptures are clear to not commit adultery, thus polygamy is not of God. So, if you are LDS and support the doctrine of polygamy, knowing that I too am a member of the LDS church might say to me “But I have received a spiritual witness that polygamy is a true doctrine”. A spiritual witness is from God, right? Didn’t I just say that Christ is the source of truth? Let’s have the Lord help us with discernment if claims such as these are made.

“For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:20-21, KJV)

If someone bears their spiritual witness to you that something is true, expose it to the light. That will shed the truth on it. Evil obscures and hides from the truth. This is how you discern. The truth will bring you closer to Jesus Christ.

A Pharisee, who was also lawyer(experts in nuance) asked a question to Jesus hoping they might catch him in his words as the record states:

“Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:35-40, KJV)

Remember these two commandments Jesus gave the next time someone says they have received a spiritual witness that does not resonate with truth. Truth will help enable you to love God, and love your neighbor.

The Gospel of John in the bible starts of by simply saying “in the beginning was the word”. There is a Joseph Smith Translation in relation to this chapter that enlightens us to the knowledge that Jesus Christ is the source of light and truth:

“For in the beginning was the Word, even the Son, who is made flesh, and sent unto us by the will of the Father. And as many as believe on his name shall receive of his fullness. And of his fullness have all we received, even immortality and eternal life, through his grace.

For the law was given through Moses, but life and truth came through Jesus Christ.

For the law was after a carnal commandment, to the administration of death; but the gospel was after the power of an endless life, through Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father.” (JST John 1:16-18)

As I’ve thought about my own relationship with truth, I often think about Lehi’s dream as documented in the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi chapter 8. Lehi found himself in a symbolic world. In his dream, he eventually found himself at a tree with the most delicious tasting fruit. Perhaps it was the tree of life in allegory. He saw mists of darkness over this world. He also saw a straight and narrow path with a rod of iron which would help lead one to this tree. There was a massive building without foundation, floating in the air, mocking those who entered the straight and narrow path leading to the tree. Those who entered into the way on the straight and narrow path, and firmly held to the Iron Rod (of which Nephi later learned represented the “Word of God”) moving forward to the tree, were able to partake of the fruit which brought eternal happiness.

Remember when Jesus said he is “the way, the truth, and the life” ?. Think about it in context of Lehi’s dream. He is the way(the straight and narrow path), the truth(the iron rod, or word of God), and the life(the tree which brings eternal salvation or happiness).

Remember Jesus Christ is the only one that can bring you to the truth, even if at some point the mists of darkness, deceptions and lies from institutions in society might have you feeling comfortable and confident in a great and spacious building high above the earth pointing your finger at others, mocking them, as they trudge through these mists below you holding to the truth that brings them to salvation. Remember that:

“Many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view“.