What is Truth and where do I find it?

 How do you know who to listen to when making decisions? I believe this is a question each of us asks at one time or another. We face challenges and plead for the knowledge of what choice to make, what advice that bombards you to follow, and what is the best choice. Countless resources from the Lord’s anointed servants can help answer these questions but I want to focus on “What is Truth and where do I find it?” This will also guide us when making all other decisions.

Without going into a lengthy sermon or diatribe and just want to testify that all truth comes from God and that truth can be verified by the Holy Ghost and His gentle promptings. Regardless if you have the Gift of the Holy Ghost through baptism and confirmation or not you can receive the confirmation of truth. How is this done? Moroni put it so succinctly in Mornoi 10:3-7

“3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.

7 And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.”

Some may say but how do I know if it is the Spirit or just my thoughts or emotions that bring about these feelings? I testify that if you really open your heart ask with real intent that you will know. For me many times I ask questions, the answers come in thoughts, impressions, and verses of scriptures or things that stand out in a conference talk. It does not always come in a beam of light like it did for Joseph Smith but I promise it will come. 

I was looking through some emails from my daughter Sarah and son Shane’s Missions for some inspiration and found some experiences they had that I feel give further guidance.

Sister Sarah Goudy February 19, 2017, Syndey Australia North Mission

“This week I witnessed the Mbuelongo Family enter the waters of baptism and witness the power of faith and the power of the spirit!

It was one of the most beautiful sights to see how strong the spirit and the love of the Savior were present for this family! And the baptism service was even more powerful! Bridgett was baptized first and when she came out of the water she was crying and told us "My heart. something is filled that has never been there before!" she was soo happy and the kids absolutely loved it as well they said, "they felt so clean and happy!" So it is so true that the lord has those people prepared for you and this family was definitely a blessing for me and my companion!”

Sarah also said on another occasion, “I am so grateful for the miracles the lord gives us when we close our eyes and listen” Sister Sarah Goudy August 27, 2017.

Elder Shane Goudy Vancouver Washington Mission November 4th, 2013

“We went to the appointment and rather than having an exactly laid out lesson plan to share with them we simply decided we would listen to them and also listen to the spirit to know what kinds of questions we could ask to commit them to taking the missionary discussions from us.

 As we did so, the spirit was very strong and there were many silent moments during the discussion where a great sense of peace could be felt. We asked many inspired questions that I know came from the spirit and eventually, we got on the topic of taking the missionary discussions again.”

Thus we see how when we are under the influence of the Spirit we can get answers, be guided and the truth can be validated. As President Nelson put it so eloquently there are sources to which we can go to learn pure truth, like general conferences. 

“Contrary to the doubts of some, there really is such a thing as right and wrong. There really is absolute truth—eternal truth. One of the plagues of our day is that too few people know where to turn for truth. I can assure you that what you will hear today and tomorrow constitutes pure truth.” (Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine, and Pure Revelation By President Russell M. Nelson, October 2012) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/10/11nelson?lang=eng

I with President Nelson testify that there is pure truth and it can be known through the influence of the Holy Ghost which is real. So too is our Father in Heaven and his beloved Son Jesus Christ. The Father's Great Plan of Happiness is true and is designed not just to bring us home but to expand our joy and growth.