Last week I finished up a book called, "Faith of a Scientist" by Henry Eyring. It was a delightful read that got me to thinking. As Henry Eyring left home to begin his studies at the University of Arizona his father told him, "In this church you don't have to believe anything that isn't true. You go over to the U of A and learn everything you can, and whatever is true is a part of the gospel." In D&C 84:45-47 we read, "For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ. And the spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; ... And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father."
Every truth leads man to God. Geologists find truth in rocks, historians find truth in ancient manuscripts, and the astronomer finds truth in the depths of space. Henry Eyring said, "The wise man searches all these and other sources knowing that all are communications from the same divine source and certain that, if followed far enough, all will guide him back to the divine Presence."
Because the principles of the Gospel are rooted in fundamental truths, they do not change. Mormon 9:9 says, "For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?" It is very comforting to know that in this world of change that the church is constant.
In science, these universal truths, these consistencies, are called laws. D&C 130:20-21 says, "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world upon which all blessings are predicated - And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." In the scriptures the Lord gives us many laws which are accompanied by a promised blessing. I know that when I faithfully pay my tithing I will always be blessed with enough money. I know that when I obey the Word of Wisdom I will be blessed with good health. I know that strict obedience to the commandments will help me achieve the greatest promise of eternal life (D&C 59:23).
D&C 50:24 says, "That which is of God is light and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." I know that this gospel is a continual learning process.We learn every truth line upon line, precept upon precept. And though our knowledge of the mysteries of the universe are always expanding, the fundamental truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ never change.
Thanks, I needed that today
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that the more time you spend in a University setting, the more people you find that have decided their level of knowledge will no longer allow them to have "faith" in God. My experience has always been that the more I learn, the more I realize that it could only have been an all knowing and loving Heavenly Father who could have orchestrated so brilliantly the existance that we know, as well as those things that we don't. It is far easier for me to believe that it was all created than that it all happened by chance!
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