They Seek for Truth. Or Do They?

How Do We Search for Truth?

Searching For Truth

by Lynette Robinson


I was reading an LDS  thread on Facebook the other day about what the Prophet has said about R rated movies. He states  "This is one thing that annoys me with many church members. Essentially, we have always been taught to use our own judgements, but President Benson is the only prophet to actually say "no R rated" and he was putting emphasis on porn - type movies." link The writer's concern is that people say the prophet told us not to watch R rated movies.  He says when he asks people why they don't watch R-rated movies they always say "because the Prophet says not to."  He then  asks "which prophet?"  and people weren't able to answer.  I was also a little confused about what the point of the article actually was.

I read the comments on the Facebook thread a day or two before I read the article and so many of them were dissecting the movie rating system, comparing it to how movies are rated or not rated in other countries.  Talking about content of profanity/sex/violence and discussing their frustration of not having more clear information from the Church and talking about whether we should judge others for watching R rated movies.

It seems with every post like this, the real message, the helpful message is trodden on by those who want to press another agenda or brush off our responsibility to ourselves and families to lift, live and testify the truth of God to one another.

Pray for Guidance and Truth

In the Doctrine and Covenants Section 58:26-29 The Lord states "For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.   Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward. But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned."

Interestingly enough, I had another conversation this week with a delightful new friend of mine.  She was saying that she was wondering how the Church will address the issue of same sex attraction now that same sex marriage is legal.  You see, we have always been taught that any sexual relations outside the bonds of marriage is a sin (and even if you are not LDS but believe in the Bible, it is there too) but now that same sex couples can marry, how will they address that?  Immediately the Proclamation on the Family came to my mind.  "WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God."  Does that cover it, or not?  I'm not here to say one way or another but I would encourage everyone to search, ponder and pray for the answer from the source of all truth.  The Proclamation on the Family has been signed by 15 Apostles of God!

President Hinkley stated “Prophets of God have repeatedly taught through the ages that practices of homosexual relations, fornication, and adultery are grievous sins. Sexual relations outside the bonds of marriage are forbidden by the Lord. We affirm those teachings.”^Reference

10 Reasons to be Morally Clean

 I recently read where Elizabeth Smart is speaking out against and condemning  the way that LDS teachers portray sexual sin, as she recounts a lesson where they pass an unwrapped stick of gum around the room for everyone to handle, someone actually chews the gum and then asks if anyone wants to have the gum. The teacher then links the chewed gum to a person who has sinned against the law of chastity.  I have never actually used that object lesson personally, I know others who have.  While I agree that it would certainly be hurtful to someone who has been raped or otherwise sexually traumatized against their will because being sinned against and sinning is two different things, she condemns the way morality is taught. I believe it certainly would hit home to someone who had violated that law.  Maybe teach the difference and with love and compassion instill in them a desire to use the Atonement of Christ and heal or repent.  They are two different scenarios. 

To start with, I don't know that the lesson of the gum came from The Church.  How does Elizabeth think we should be teaching our youth about the dangers of sexual and moral sin?  We are so quick to condemn a practice but slow to offer a better solution.

 In a gathering of youth in Denver, Prophet Gordon B Hinkley,  said "Be clean. I cannot emphasize that enough. Be clean. It is so very, very important, and you at your age are in such temptation all the time. It is thrown at you on television. It is thrown at you in books and magazines and videos. You do not have to rent them. Don’t do it. Just don’t do it. Don’t look at them. If somebody proposes that you sit around all night watching some of that sleazy stuff, you say, ‘It’s not for me.’ Stay away from it” (Denver, Colorado, youth meeting, 14 Apr. 1996).

Since this talk was delivered at a youth meeting, does that exempt adults from the counsel?  Aren't we all God's children?  Does he give laws to one and not another, reward obedience to some but not all?  Why would God say it was OK for adults to engage in activities that He forbids children to practice?  Personally, I think some people like to think that rules are just for other people.  

Follow Jesus

God's Laws are for all of us.  They keep us safe.  They help us connect to Him.  Obedience to God's laws open the channels for further light and knowledge that God sends those who turn their face towards Him.

Don't be fooled by those who want to dissect the counsel and say the Prophets haven't been clear.  We have reached the time when God expects more of us than to sit back and be spoon fed the law.  

I testify that God is a rewarder of those who truly and diligently seek Him.  He lives.  Jesus is the Savior of the world and atoned for me and you. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and opened the dispensation of the Church of Jesus Christ in these last days and the fullness of times.  He will reward those who have followed His law and will find obedient people useful for fulfilling His purpose on this earth.  I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!