Truth is found not only in religion, but in the secular things of the world as well. Joseph F. Smith said that “we are willing to receive all truth, from whatever source it may come....”
To quote Brigham Young: "Every discovery in science and art, that is really true and useful to mankind, has been given by direct revelation from God, though but few acknowledge it.... We should take advantage of all these great discoveries, the accumulated wisdom of ages, and give to our children the benefit of every branch of useful knowledge, to prepare them to step forward and efficiently do their part in the great work."
John A. Widstoe warned: “Truth is truth forever. Scientific truth cannot be theological lie. To the sane mind, theology and philosophy must harmonize. They have a common ground of truth on which to meet.”
Not only does Mormonism embrace all truth, but our religion requires that we seek out truth. We are admonished to “seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” (D&C 88:118.) In verses 78 through 80 of this same section we read: "Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms--That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you."
Brigham Young admonished us many times to acquire truth in our lives. "Whether a truth be found with professed infidels, or with the Universalists, or the Church of Rome, or the Methodists, the Church of England, the Presbyterians, the Baptists, the Quakers, the Shakers, or any other of the various and numerous different sects and parties, all of whom have more or less truth, it is the business of the Elders of this Church (Jesus, their elder brother, being at their head,) to gather up all the truths in the world pertaining to life and salvation, to the Gospel we preach, to mechanism of every kind, to the sciences, and to philosophy, wherever it may be found in every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, and bring it to Zion. [...] This statement is not only true of the nations termed civilized--those who profess to worship the true God, but is equally applicable to pagans of all countries, for in their religious rights and ceremonies may be found a great many truths which we will also gather home to Zion." (Intelligence, Etc. (Journal of Discourses 7:283-284)
Another time he said: "If I do not learn what is in the world, from first to last, somebody will be wiser than I am. I intend to know the whole of it, both good and bad. Shall I practise evil? No; neither have I told you to practise it, but to learn by the light of truth every principle there is in existence in the world. [...] And inasmuch as the Lord Almighty has designed us to know all that is in the earth, both the good and the evil, and to learn not only what is in heaven, but what is in hell, you need not expect ever to get through learning. Though I mean to learn all that is in heaven, earth, and hell. Do I need to commit iniquity to do it? No. If I were to go into the bowels of hell to find out what is there, that does not make it necessary that I should commit one evil, or blaspheme in any way the name of my Maker." (Organization and Development of Man--Journal of Discourses 2:90)
There is much to be learned from other religions and philosophies. So many of them even have within their beliefs fragments of the gospel, truths from when it was taught in ancient times and filtered and spread throughout the earth. It by respecting these other traditions that we might learn or understand more within our own beliefs. So it is in the grand tradition of Mormonism that "the Glory of God is Intelligence" that I share a few other traditions that I have come to know and honor. May they bless you in your study of the Gospel and give depth to your understanding as they have mine. Also, Joseph Smith instructed us in D&C 91 concerning the Apocrypha to learn through the gift of the Holy Spirit. In verse 4-6 he talks about being enlightened by the spirit which we believe applies to all truth and learning...so that we can benefit from our endeavors.
DC 91: 4-6
4 Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth;
5 And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom;
6 And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited.
Taoist Philosophy in the LDS Temple
Lao Tzu
Tao Te Ching
The Atonement (The little "I Am")by Cleon Skousen
The Human Mind: As a Man Thinketh, So is He
Viktor Frankl
Man's Search for Meaning
Mahatma Gandhi (see section on Simplicity)
Mother Teresa
Wayne Dyer
The Mozart Effect
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Hi, you might also like the post What is an Endowment?.
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