What is Truth?

April 22, 2025 Discussion Notes

Material Studied: “Oh Say, What Is Truth?”Approaches to Doctrine by Michael Goodman

Group Discussion—Part 1: This discussion was so enriching that it was decided we needed to continue with Part 2 at our next gathering.

Over the last three decades, we have come to realize that some information we previously considered doctrine was, in fact, not doctrine.

Not much of what is taught is doctrine —doctrine relates to eternity and salvation. Elder Bednar: “A gospel doctrine is a truth—a truth of salvation revealed by a loving Heavenly Father. Gospel doctrines are eternal, do not change, and pertain to the eternal progression and exaltation of Heavenly Father’s sons and daughters. Doctrines such as the nature of the Godhead, the plan of happiness, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ are foundational, fundamental, and comprehensive. The core doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ are relatively few in number. (Goodman, 22-23).

Principles: Faith, hope, and charity are the applications of doctrine

Elder Bednar: Doctrine: Your body is a temple; Principle: The Word of Wisdom is the principle and the application

Eternal life—these are the truths that provide a guardrail for our eternal life, not quite the day-to-day activities (which can change), but truths that make a difference to our eternal life

Revalatory triangle: We know that it is essential to follow the spirit, study the scriptures, and follow living prophets. All are constrained by the human vessels in which they are held. It isn’t helpful to disregard any one of these three in this triangle. Don’t over-emphasize any one of the three, again, due to the humaneness of the deliverer or the recipient.

Questions to ask about what is being taught: Is it eternal? Is it salvific? Is it being taught by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve?

Footnote 41, from Michael Goodman’s essay: What began as the sacrificial ordinance with Adam was changed in its details within the law of Moses, which was changed by the Savior into his sacrament, which was further developed as Joseph Smith made modifications in its practice. See Doctrine and Covenants 27

Robert Millett's criteria, as noted in Goodman’s essay: In one of his articles, Millet started with a criterion similar to Robinson: (1) Is the teaching “found within the four standard works?” To this he added, (2) Is it contained “within official declarations or proclamations?” (3) “Is it discussed in general conference or other official gatherings by general Church leaders today?” and (4) “Is it found in the general handbooks or approved curriculum of the Church today?”60 (see fig. 4).

The doctrine of the priesthood did not change; the policy regarding blacks and the priesthood changed. What got us into trouble was the people’s interpretation of the reason to withhold.

People do not think the Prophet is infallible.

We need to work through any tension that may be between our perceived revelation and what the prophet is saying or teaching.

The divinity of all these repositories of truth is constrained by the human vessels in which they are held. There are times they won’t all fit neatly together.

One member of our group would work through the revelatory process if she didn’t jive with all three points in the revelatory triangle. When we weaken or disregard any one of the three, we imperil the safety of the three.

We follow the prophet no matter? Or do we strive to fully grasp the richness of the information through prayer, study, and working through the process to learn for ourselves? Engaging in the wrestle is worth the effort.

Ben Spackman teaches that the revelation process is a composite.

Doctrine: God Speaks to us; Principle: Hear Him

We aren’t stuck in a system — that’s just language — but it meant something, and we are still using the same language. Clean up the language to be more accurate to current teachings.

Loved the thought that the prophet is the brain of the church. His job is to keep the body of the church moving forward.

Doctrine is anything that pertains to our salvation

Elder Neil L. Anderson explained that “there is an important principle that governs the doctrine of the Church. The doctrine is taught by all 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. It is not hidden in an obscure paragraph of one talk. True principles are taught frequently and by many.”

Another member is working to tone down her complaining and irritation. She doesn’t recall her parents ever complaining or criticizing church leaders or church culture. Complaining or criticizing in front of children can cause significant harm and erode trust.

We can be more gracious when someone phrases something incorrectly. This applies to me and to others who drive us crazy. Grace and mercy are real.

What is it we are afraid of when we are angry or irritated? Usually, it is fear or a boundary being crossed.

One member stated her anger at church is her fear that women will be discounted and treated as inferior to the men who hold priesthood offices.

We have lived in an authoritative church for a long time - there is a progression within the church to transition to a transitional or transformational leadership.

The world wants everything now, and an apology for everything yesterday. I didn’t express myself to my parents about the church like my children express themselves to me.

Elder Bednar introduces the effective style of asking questions to get to the heart of the matter, or to the doctrine, principle, or whatever he is teaching.

Write down what we feel rather than what we hear. That feeling can be the Holy Ghost.

Elder Bednar: Gospel doctrines are eternal, do not change, and pertain to the eternal progression and exaltation of Heavenly Father’s sons and daughters. (Goodman, 23.)

We were taught that plural marriage was a doctrine, but it is not a doctrine; it was an application to build up the church.

Women sealed to more than one man - policy not a principle or doctrine.

Jesus did not receive a fullness at first, but grew grace upon grace. May we say that the restored church of Jesus Christ did not receive a fullness at first, but is growing grace by grace, as the members prepare themselves to receive more. As a body of Christ we need to learn not to let external worldly stimulus effect our spiritual natures, (speaking of myself right now), including things that irritate us-we each need to find inner strength as a body so the body of Christ can be unified and strong where the trends of the adversary have zero pull upon us.