Absolute truth is the “harsh reality” truth. For example, an absolute truth is that… gravity exists. A Relative truth, however, involves comparison to something else. Relative truth is much less demanding that absolute truth. Think of relative truth like your professor grading on a curve. Your grade is determined by how the other students in the class did. So, you could get a 70% on your test, but still have it be an “A” grade. If you apply this definition to getting into the celestial kingdom, relative truth is also very comforting. This belief often manifests itself when doing missionary work and discussing religion with non-member friends and family. So many times I have gotten the response. “Well it doesn’t really matter how you believe, now does it? If you’re a good person, it won’t matter what religion you belong to, right?” This comment demonstrates relative-truth thinking that “as long as I’m a good person compared to all the bad people”.
Science and Scriptures Season 1, Episode 18 – Absolute Truth vs. Relative Truth
This is the podcast Science and Scriptures, Season 1, Episode 18 or “Absolute Truth vs. Relative Truth”.
Hello again. This is Scott Frazer and welcome to another episode of Science and Scripture. I hope my podcasts are becoming a weekly tradition for you that gives you a time to consider the Gospel and the church in our world today.
Last week, we discussed the fact that we must respect everyone’s agency, which are guaranteed by God, and freedoms, which are guaranteed by the Constitution. If a family member or a friend is making a bad decision, you can question that decision. However, after the discussion, your family and friends have their agency to make bad decisions.
But on the other side of the fine line, we are commanded to teach one another.
What are we to teach one another? Pretty much everything. From Doctrine and Covenants, section 88 we read,
“And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.
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”
Teaching is not offensive
So we must be aware of the fine line between respecting others agency and beliefs yet then trying to teach them. When you teach someone, admittedly you are trying to change their belief structure. This experience should be satisfying and even exciting for both teacher and student. I love to have discussions that end with an epiphany that there is a perspective to a truth that I have never considered before. Being taught effectively finds weak spots in my understanding and helps me make connections I have not made before. It has been a good day.
But if you read social media posts, you can quickly observe that many people will become very offended should you try to teach them. How dare you try to change the person they are or challenge the beliefs they hold so dear?! Such people get offended and stalk out of the room, whether it be a virtual room or a real room. Either way, it can be a very dramatic exit.
So, as members of the church of Jesus Christ, we need to be aware of this cultural trend and avoid allowing it to affect our own outlooks. We are all under an obligation to teach whenever we can and to learn whenever we can.
There is another trend that has been around for a longer time, but is now making a big comeback. Partially due to social media and partially because many people are choosing to not be religiously active, the debate between Objective or Absolute Truth vs. Relativistic Truth has resurfaced.
You should be aware of these two views of truth, because they are so different it can get in the way of effective communication. So, there are two ways to look at truth. Truth can be absolute truth or relative truth.
Absolute truth is the “harsh reality” truth. For example, an absolute truth is that… gravity exists. Even if you believe with all your might that the canyon in front of you is magic and gravity doesn’t exist there, if you step off the edge, you will fall. So all those motivating phrases such as “If you believe it, there is nothing you can’t accomplish!” are inaccurate and can be deadly if, for example, you choose to step off a cliff.
A relative truth, however, involves comparison to something else. For example, if you have been sick, someone might ask you how you are feeling today. “Better than yesterday” is a relative truth. “Almost normal” is another one. The response “I’m fine” is more of an absolute response that states that “I-am-not-sick-anymore”, or I am absolutely fine.
Relative truth is much less demanding that absolute truth. Think of relative truth like your professor grading on a curve. Your grade is determined by how the other students in the class did. So, you could get a 70% on your test, but still have it be an “A” grade. If you apply this definition to getting into the celestial kingdom, relative truth is also very comforting. You can think, “Well, I am not in jail or wanted by the police. I am a friendly person and my neighbors like me. Relatively speaking, I am a good person so I should get into heaven easily.”
Few people want to hear that our final judgement will be based on an absolute scale. This is like your college course professor grading on an absolute scale. If you don’t get above a 92% on the test, then you don’t get an “A”. It doesn’t matter how other students in your class did. The same strict requirement applies to getting into the Celestial Kingdom. It won’t matter how poorly the people around you live their lives. Because you will, in fact, be judged on an absolute scale. “Here is the list of commandments you were given to keep. How well did you do in your obedience?”
This belief often manifests itself when doing missionary work and discussing religion with non-member friends and family.So many times I have gotten the response. “Well it doesn’t really matter how you believe, now does it? If you’re a good person, it won’t matter what religion you belong to, right?” This comment demonstrates relative-truth thinking that “as long as I’m a good person compared to all the bad people”. At this point I try to quote from Matthew 7.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
This statement by the Savior indicates that He is a believer in the concept of absolute truth. There is a strait gate that you must find and enter. Few there be that find it. However, many there be which go in the wide gate and to destruction. The final judgement will not be “graded on a curve”. You have to meet a standard placed by our Heavenly Father (called the strait gate in this scripture) to pass your Earthly probation.
Absolute Truth is less Popular than ever before
The problem introduced by social media is that anyone who suggests we are held accountable to absolute truth is attacked as being close-minded. Hard and fast rules are discouraged in social media. Everyone has their own ideas about a given subject and they are encouraged to share their opinions on social media, no matter how uninformed they are. We are all encouraged to believe in whatever we wish to believe, and no one has the right to tell you that you are incorrect in your beliefs.
Author Charles Pierce criticized this change as follows.
“If something feels right, it must be treated with the same respect given something that actually is right. If something is felt deeply, it must carry the same weight of something that is true. If there are two sides to every argument, - or, more to the point, if there are people willing to take up two sides to every argument – they both must be right or, at least, equally valid.
But in a discussion about religion, this type of thinking will be disastrous in the long term. If we are taught true and correct principles, but dismiss those principles because they sound too hard or don’t agree with ours, there will be a punishment. We are told to seek truth, not hide behind some fictions that are easier to live by. Complaining that “social media said I could define my own truth” will not be accepted as an excuse for disobedience.
When we do missionary work, or teach one another in church, we must reason with one another. We read in Doctrine and Covenants 50,
“And now come, saith the Lord, by the Spirit, unto the elders of his church, and let us reason together, that ye may understand; Let us reason even as a man reasoneth one with another face to face. Now, when a man reasoneth he is understood of man, because he reasoneth as a man; even so will I, the Lord, reason with you that you may understand.”
The Lord uses the word “reason” six times. Reasoning is needed for politics and normal life as well. But reasoning one with another is becoming unpopular. As Vice President Al Gore stated in his book The Assault on Reason,
“Faith in the power of reason was and remains the central premise of American democracy. This premise is now under assault.”
I agree with Mr. Gore. There are fewer people who are willing to discuss problems and reason together the best solution. Years ago, I was invited into a program in which I would be sent links to articles about the LDS church, so that I could make positive comments or give responses to questions on the blog that followed the article. “I can do this”, I thought, expecting honest questions about church doctrine. I found that the most blog entries were spiteful, often profane, attacking the church and its doctrine from angles that had nothing to do with the article. It didn’t take me long to realize that I couldn’t do this. I wanted to start every blog post with the words, “You uneducated troll…” I learned that blogs may not be the best medium for me to teach about the church. I also learned that there are many people who make blog entries only to rant and have no interest in learning more.
In sharp contrast to this cultural attitude, we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ need to be seeking truth – with even more diligence than we have before. In 2018, in his first address to General Conference as president of the church, President Russel M. Nelson told us,
“But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.
My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. Let this Easter Sunday be a defining moment in your life. Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.”
Many members I talk to seem to think that “spiritual work” is fasting and prayer, which is part of that work I suppose.But I am going to expand the definition a bit. You see, I have never had the Holy Ghost confirm to me something I have known for years.And I don’t expect it. For example, if I were to ask the Lord in prayer if… baptism should be by immersion – I don’t expect an answer. I’ve known the requirements of baptism for decades.I believe to be prepared for the latter days, we will need to understand the Gospel better. As we learn, the Holy Ghost will witness to the truth of what you are learning.
So I wish to submit to you my own interpretation of the prophet’s instruction. I hope he won’t mind if I use his format and change a few words. Again, this is my own personal interpretation.
“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without learning all you can about the Gospel, under the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”
If we want to “enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly”, my first thought is that I will need to ask more questions. I must seek to deepen my understanding and have the Holy Ghost tell me how I am doing. I must stive to be a better student.
With this conclusion in mind, I would like to emphasize that, in any class in which we are part of the audience, it is our Responsibility to Learn. In our Gospel Doctrine or Priesthood, or Relief Society classes, it is the teacher’s responsibility to direct and guide the discussion. We can all agree with that, I think. But this is the part that many members don’t seem to understand. It is the student’s responsibility to learn. If you feel you have a unique perspective or applicable story, you can raise your hand and make a comment. After all, the teacher needs such participation. But remember that speaking is not your main goal – listening and learning is your goal. As I say this, I must admit that I am terrible at following my own advice. Listening is not natural for me. I must consciously limit myself to the number of comments I can make in a class. In more than a few classes, I have come to the realization that I am talking too much.
The goal of instruction has always been to open new understandings about the universe and the Gospel. As I mentioned, social media has encouraged many people to conclude that any attempt to teach them is an assault on their structure of beliefs. Not wishing to offend others, I think this mindset is changing how we interact with one another. But it’s not a healthy change. As students, we need to be teachable. As teachers, we need to be bold in stating the truths of our instruction.
In the end, you want everyone to walk away from the class with no ill feelings, contemplating the principles discussed. That feat can be particularly difficult. For example, as a teacher, how do you respond to a false doctrine that has just been stated, without offending the ward member who declared it? As a teacher, you really cannot let false doctrine to stand without comment. As other members of the class, please understand the difficulties your teachers face in such a situation – and try to help them out as soon as you can.
Be Ready to Give an Answer
In the topics I choose for this podcast, I try to present topics that might be considered the more uncomfortable nooks and crannies of the Gospel. Often we hesitate to discuss these topics in a church class. In our efforts not to offend, we shy away from sensitive or controversial subjects. Please note that I agree with this policy. There are certain subjects that will not be discussed in Sunday meetings. Ward members have a broad range of knowledge of the Gospel, some of which are fairly rudimentary. Sunday meetings are usually not the right time or the right place for such discussions about the meat of the Gospel principles.
HOWEVER, this does not mean you are exempted from learning about these topics. You just must learn them elsewhere.
In D&C 88 and D&C 109, the Lord states,
“And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith;”
Now it is interesting that the Lord did not get more specific here and say, “seek ye out of the scriptures words of wisdom…”, though this is how I have heard this verse interpreted multiple times. No, the Lord says “best books” which includes the scriptures - but also includes literally hundreds of books to choose from besides the scriptures.
In the latter days, we will need to be less reluctant to learn the meat of the Gospel. We will need to be less self-effacing about our quest to learn and comprehend serious doctrinal questions. We need to be more confident that our testimonies can successfully wrestle with the difficult questions about the church and its doctrine.
In 1 Peter 3:15, Peter tells the Saints
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to givean answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
Please note that in this verse, meekness means “humility”, and fear means “reverence”. Be ready to give answers in humility and reverence to those who ask questions about the Gospel. But this preparation is not just so you are ready to do missionary work. It means to be ready to counsel your children, your grandchildren, friends, and neighbors.
That is all that I have for you today. I would like to thank all of you who honor me by taking time to listen to this podcast. I am preparing these podcasts each week in an attempt to help people to understand that the church and religion is not a boring or a static arena of discussion.In the very complex and ill-mannered world that we live in, it is a daily battle to live good lives and to “be ready always to givean answer to every man that asketh you” about your religion and why you believe in it.
I have one additional bit of news I would like to announce today.I have a new book coming out next month called “Mentally Calm, Spiritually Connected”. In my discussions and reading, I have found that many people think that the Spiritual side of their being is separate and distinct from their Mental, Physical, and Emotional sides. This is not true. For example, in my experience, it is not possible to be spiritual if you have the flu.Our mental state also affects our spiritual state. Mental depression, especially with the trying and socially distant environment now imposed on us by COVID, is becoming increasingly common. I have heard church members lament that during their times of deepest depression, they also feel spiritually distant from their Heavenly Father.Has He abandoned them in their greatest need? NO, I assure you, HE HAS NOT! But your spirit (your individual spirit) and your spirituality (communication with the Holy Ghost) are intrinsically connected with your brain and your emotions.I wrote this book to help readers to understand these connections. It was my most difficult book to write. The second chapter is about the brain and I read several books about it just so I could explain its most basic features.
We are told that we should love the Lord with all our heart, might, mind, strength, and soul. Besides, those, we have a spirit as well, and emotions. This book tries to explain how those different parts of you, both spiritual and physical, interact with one another. Anyway, I invite you to read it and hope you find it worthwhile. The electronic format will be released on Feb 13 and the print format sometime close to that. If you wish, you can pre-order the book on Amazon or on the Cedar Fort website.
Thanks for your time in listening to my podcast and this commercial break. Take care.