Eternal Truth
John C. Pingree Jr., of the Seventy
Elder John C. Pingree Jr. teaches the importance and process of seeking, recognizing, and sharing eternal truth.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Topics
Understanding the Nature of Eternal Truth
Elder Pingree defines truth as knowledge of things as they are, were, and are to come, and emphasizes that it is eternal, absolute, and uncreated. Truth helps us avoid deception, discern good from evil, and leads us to eternal life.
The Lord has taught us in scripture that “truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:24).
Truth is critical for us to establish and strengthen our relationship with God, find peace and joy, and reach our divine potential.Key Points:
- Truth is knowledge of things as they are, were, and are to come.
- Truth is eternal, absolute, and uncreated.
- Truth helps us avoid deception, discern good from evil, and leads us to eternal life.
- Can you recall a time when understanding truth helped you discern good from evil?
- How has knowing eternal truths strengthened your relationship with God?
- Share an experience where the knowledge of truth brought you peace and joy.
God's Role in Revealing Eternal Truth
God reveals eternal truth to us through a network of revelatory relationships involving Himself, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, prophets, and us. Each participant plays a distinct yet interconnected role in this process.
God is the source of eternal truth. He and His Son, Jesus Christ, have a perfect understanding of truth and always act in harmony with true principles and laws.
The Holy Ghost testifies of all truth. He reveals truths to us directly and witnesses of truth taught by others.
Prophets receive truth from God and share that truth with us.Key Points:
- God is the source of eternal truth.
- The Holy Ghost testifies of all truth.
- Prophets receive truth from God and share it with us.
- Our role is to seek, recognize, and act on truth.
- Share an experience where you felt the Holy Ghost testify of truth to you.
- How has a prophet's teachings helped you understand eternal truth?
- Describe a time when seeking and recognizing truth led you to act in a certain way.
Seeking, Recognizing, and Applying Eternal Truth
We can recognize eternal truth by asking if the concept is taught consistently in the scriptures and by living prophets and if it is confirmed by the Holy Ghost. Once confirmed, our understanding deepens as we put the principle into practice.
God reveals doctrinal truths through prophets, and the Holy Ghost confirms those truths to us and helps us apply them.
Once the Holy Ghost confirms a specific truth to us, our understanding deepens as we put that principle into practice.Key Points:
- Eternal truth can be recognized if it is taught consistently in the scriptures and by living prophets and confirmed by the Holy Ghost.
- Understanding of truth deepens as we put the principle into practice.
- Share an experience where applying a confirmed truth deepened your understanding.
- How has the Holy Ghost confirmed truths to you in your life?
- Describe a time when living a principle led to a deepened understanding of truth.
Trusting God When Truth Is Not Yet Revealed
When we seek for truth that is not yet revealed, we should trust in God's wisdom and love, keep His commandments, and rely on what we do know.
As we hold on—trusting God’s wisdom and love, keeping His commandments, and relying on what we do know—He helps us find peace until He reveals the truth of all things.Key Points:
- We should trust in God's wisdom and love when seeking for truth not yet revealed.
- Keeping God's commandments and relying on what we do know helps us find peace.
- Share a time when you had to trust in God's wisdom and love while seeking for truth.
- How has keeping God's commandments and relying on what you know brought you peace?
- Describe a situation where you patiently waited for a truth to be revealed.
Teaching and Sharing Eternal Truth
Once we obtain truth from God, we are encouraged to share it with others. The aim is to teach truth in a way that invites the converting power of the Holy Ghost and conveys it with Christlike love.
When we obtain truth from God, He encourages us to share that knowledge with others.
Truth has the best chance of blessing another when conveyed with Christlike love.Key Points:
- We are encouraged to share the truth we obtain from God with others.
- Truth should be conveyed with Christlike love.
- Share an experience where you taught or shared truth with others.
- How has conveying truth with Christlike love blessed another person?
- Describe a time when someone shared truth with you in a way that invited the converting power of the Holy Ghost.
