Truth Works!

We’ve talked a lot about how to Live in Truth when relating to other people. But what about Living in Truth with ourselves? Remember living in Truth means living with what is—accepting and dealing with the verities of telestial life. Remember “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” (D&C 93:24-25).

So what does this mean? Let’s use a few examples to illustrate. Let’s say someone drops by unexpectedly and you haven’t yet done breakfast dishes. The Truth is not, “I’m such a terrible housekeeper.” The Truth is simply that you haven’t done breakfast dishes yet. Let’s say your child does something wrong like take something out of someone’s desk at school. The Truth is not, “I’m failing as a mother. I’m a terrible mother!” The Truth is simply that your child did something they shouldn’t and it is time for you to do some valuable teaching. One more example, you are supposed to provide dinner for a family because the mother just had surgery and you forget it until eight o’clock when you suddenly remembered and took them Domino’s pizza. The Truth is not, “I am a horrible person. I can’t do anything right. I mess up every time.” The simple truth is you forgot until 8 o’clock when you remembered.

When we are confronted with Truth the options are always “Fix it or live with it.” And as you can see, each of our examples are easily fixed IF you simply accept the truth and deal with it. Do the dishes, teach the child about honesty, get the dinner there as soon as you remember. Everyone has lapses of memory. Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone occasionally makes wrong decisions. It is part of our mortal experience and Living in Truth means we just deal with it.

But when you move from Truth into the Pit of Illusion and start thinking you are horrible or terrible or no good because of your mistakes, that is more than Truth and “is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning.” When you think thoughts like this you remove yourself from the Spirit of Truth and the very help you need to deal with the problems at hand.

We all make mistakes. We all have bad days. But we accept what happens, love what is, and stay in the realm of Truth because peace, love, and joy are only found only in the realm of Truth.