I like incorporating videos into my posts, because I think that seeing, hearing, and reading a message can sometimes convey messages better than reading alone.
The video below portrays a modern-day search for truth and quotes much of Joseph Smith's experience when he was 14 years old. In his day, there were many churches teaching different doctrine about Christ. These churches were preaching against each other and many contentions arose among them to the point that the different sects were condemning each other to hell. Joseph didn't know which group was right, and he felt confused and lost. One day, he read a scripture in the first chapter of James that prompted him to pray to God to know the truth. The scripture is referenced in this video:
The video depicts a few principles that are an absolute necessity when seeking after truth from God.
First, we must be seeking for truth. "Ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" -Matthew 7:7
There is no end to truth and wisdom, so we shouldn't assume that what we were raised to know as the truth is all the truth there is. There is always something new that God wants to teach us."That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light growth brighter and brighter until the perfect day."-D&C 50:24
We must ask Heavenly Father (in the name of Jesus Christ) in faith. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." -James 1:5-6
We must ask Heavenly Father. Many people go to their pastors, bishops, or preachers and have them explain things. While they may know the scriptures very well, scriptures can be interpreted in different ways. Only the Holy Ghost has the power to testify truth to us. Asking God to know the truth is showing trust in Him to speak to us. "[Unless] I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.” -Testimony of Joseph Smith Jr. Full Testimony
Maybe the most important element in seeking after truth is humility. Someone can ask God to know the truth. However, if they have already set their minds on what they believe the answer is, they have already shut their hearts to receiving a prompting from the Holy Ghost. This is why Christ says, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." -Matthew 18:3 His reference to little children is referring to the humility that they possess.
My prayer for this nation and the world is that our hearts will be turned toward God and desire to seek after His truth.
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