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The Truth

… the truth shall make you free.
(John 8:32)

You must be self-determined, knowing all that you do and say is right and true.
(my patriarchal blessing)

If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report
or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
(Article of Faith 13)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
(Philippians 4:8)

I will not seek to compel any man to believe as I do,
only by the force of reasoning, for truth will cut its own way.
(Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 313–314)

Be unafraid of new ideas for they are the stepping stones to progress. But you will respect, of course, the opinions of others [but be unafraid to dissent if you are informed.]… Now I mention the freedom to express your thoughts, but I caution you that your thoughts and expressions must meet competition in the marketplace of thought, and in that competition truth must emerge triumphant. Only error needs to fear freedom of expression. Seek truth in all fields, and in that searching you’re going to need at least three virtues: courage, zest, and modesty. The ancients put that thought in [the] form of [a] prayer. They said, “From the cowardice that shrinks from new truth, from the laziness that is content with half truth, from the arrogance that thinks it has all the truth—O God of truth, deliver us.”
(Hugh B. Brown, Man and What He May Become, BYU Speeches of the Year, 29 March 1958)

“That which can be destroyed by the truth should be.” Do not flinch from experiences that might destroy your beliefs. The thought you cannot think controls you more than thoughts you speak aloud. Submit yourself to ordeals and test yourself in fire. Relinquish the emotion which rests upon a mistaken belief, and seek to feel fully that emotion which fits the facts. If the iron approaches your face, and you believe it is hot, and it is cool, the Way opposes your fear. If the iron approaches your face, and you believe it is cool, and it is hot, the Way opposes your calm. Evaluate your beliefs first and then arrive at your emotions. Let yourself say: “If the iron is hot, I desire to believe it is hot, and if it is cool, I desire to believe it is cool.”
(Eliezer Yudkowsky, Twelve Virtues of Rationality)

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2 Comments

  1. Anna said,

    January 22, 2007 @ 12:25 pm

    In response to Article of Faith 13, it is similar to Phillipians 4:8. It seem coincidental that Phil 4:8 does speak to truth. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true … think on these things.”

    Phil 4:8

  2. Jonathan Blake said,

    January 22, 2007 @ 1:02 pm

    Thank you, Anna. I knew that Article of Faith 13 was inspired by various biblical sources, but didn’t think to look up this phrase in the Holy Bible when I included it. Philippians 4:8 is an even better quote to use. I think I’ll add it to the list. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (2 Corinthians 13:1)

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