The Pure Truth, or one of the Religions of the World?
“Religion is something that someone believes, whether it is true or not.
Truth is true, regardless of what someone believes.” (Phil Michel)
Example:
An atheist may say that he does not believe in God and therefore he may claim that he does not have a religion. But he does have a religion! His religion and belief is that there is no God. The truth is that an atheist's religion is called Atheism. It is a Religion. An Atheist has chosen to '...believe in something whether it is true or not'.
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"Atheists and agnostics make nonbelief their religion and today organize in unprecedented ways to attack faith and belief. They are now organized, and they pursue political power. You will be hearing much about them and from them. Much of their attack is indirect in mocking the faithful, in mocking religion." (Boyd K. Packer, Lehi's Dream and You, BYU Devotional, Jul. 2012, (26:16 min.)
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God has given us our freedom to entertain beliefs contrary to fact.
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“...truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:24)
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The Savior taught the pure truth.
"...I tell you the truth..." (John 16:7)
" Master, we know that thou...teachest the way of God in truth..." (Matthew 22:16)
"And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not." (John 8:45)
"But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God..." (John 8:40)
"Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me." (John 7:16)
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All truth, when understood, agrees with common sense.
All truth can be proven true sooner or later.
Truth does not contradict itself.
All truth agrees with all other truth.
Truth is unchangeable.
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Prophets like Noah, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, were called to do specific tasks, to correct false teachings, to receive revelation and teach the truth.
Prophets like Noah, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, were called to do specific tasks, to correct false teachings, to receive revelation and teach the truth.
Moses: "And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me." (Exodus 17:4)
Joshua: "... serve him... in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood..." (Joshua 24:14)
Elijah: "... How long halt ye between two opinions?..., I, [even] I only, remain a prophet of the Lord..." (1 Kings 18:21-22)
"... Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both." (Acts 23:7-8)
The Pharisees believed that everything needed for salvation was given to Moses. They did not want to be corrected or receive any new revelation.
They continually tried to find fault with the Savior. "...whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. " (Luke 6:6-11)
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The Apostles continued to teach the pure truth.
“One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Ephesians 4:5)
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The prophets in the western hemisphere, received revelation from God and taught the pure truth.
The Prophet Jacob.
“…the Spirit speaketh [unto us] the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls… God also spake them unto prophets of old.” (Jacob 4:13) 544-421 BC Book of Mormon.
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<< Joseph Smith
"Knowledge does away [with] darkness, suspense and doubt, for where Knowledge is there is no doubt nor suspense nor darkness... In knowledge there is power. God has more power than all other beings, because he has greater knowledge." (Joseph Smith, Discourse, April 8, 1843)
Joseph Smith received many revelations from God. God has once again called prophets to help bring more truth, correct false teachings, and restore the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth.
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What is Truth? (CES Devotional talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf,) (53 min.)
Discovering Truth, Video (4:50 min.)
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If we want 'Religion' we can find it anywhere.
But if we want the pure gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught by the Savior Jesus Christ, it can only be found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Phil Michel)
If you don't believe it then try doing what the Savior has told us to do.
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... The Savior has told us that "...seek, and ye shall find...." (Matthew 7:7)
"...information presedes inspiration and revelation." (Addressing Mental Health, Elder Elder Erich W. Kopischke of the Seventy)
Read, the Book of Mormon, investigate The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, listen to the Savior's Prophets and Apostles in His church today which He had named; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And pray about these things as you go along doing so..