I was scrolling through Facebook the other day when I started reading a post that someone had shared.
I really liked the post, and agreed with a lot of the things this person was saying.
And then I read one line with a thought I had never heard before.
I said a quick little prayer: “Hmmm I’ve never thought of this that way. Is that true?”
And almost immediately, I heard a voice.
“That is not truth.”
It was calm and quiet.
But it was firm and sure.
I closed the post and moved on.
The Holy Ghost knows what truth is.
“The Spirit manifesteth truth”. D&C 91:4
And in a day when everyone has unprecedented access to publish and spread their opinions far and wide, I think the need to discern truth is greater than ever.
And I think it’s also important to realize how much work it takes to keep the Spirit with us.
Because we are also humans with brains who have opinions and varying backgrounds.
And when we read something that goes along with our opinions, our brains like it.
God doesn’t want us all to think exactly the same way, so I don’t believe the Spirit is given to us to change every opinion and thought that we have.
But I’ve found that it feels different when the Spirit is confirming something or warning me.
Instead of, “Yeah, I agree!”
I feel a calm but firm feeling.
“This is truth.”
I’ve also found success when I ask.
When I say a deliberate prayer to ask if this is truth or not, I virtually always get a response.
Or a prompting on what I need to do in order to get the Spirit’s constant presence back with me before I can be ready to receive an answer.
Just as it was important for saints of all generations, we need to make sure that we know what is truth for the things that matter most.
We will all still have different opinions and viewpoints and personal revelation for how to apply something specifically to our life.
But we can still feel the Spirit testify of the things that are eternal truths.
Or warn us of things that are not.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
