One of the things I love about Mormonism is that it encompasses all truth. I think there is much good and truth to be found all over the world. I love it when I read something that expresses a truth in "non-Mormon" terminology - in other words, in a way I haven't thought of before. I recently heard the following quote by John Taylor, the third President of the Mormon church, in speaking of medieval times:
"I have a great many misgivings about the intelligence that men boast so much of in this enlightened day. There were men in those dark ages who could commune with God, and who, by the power of faith, could draw aside the curtain of eternity and gaze upon the invisible world. There were men who could tell the destiny of the human family, and the events which would transpire throughout every subsequent period of time until the final winding-up scene. There were men who could gaze upon the face of God, have the ministering of angels, and unfold the future destinies of the world. If those were dark ages I pray God to give me a little darkness, and deliver me from the light and intelligence that prevail in our day; for as a rational, intelligent, immortal being who has to do with time and eternity, I consider it one of the greatest acquirements for men to become acquainted with their God and with their future destiny." (The Knowledge of God and Mode of Worshiping Him, Discourse by Elder John Taylor, delivered in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, Sept. 7, 1873. Reported by David W. Evans. Emphasis added)
I like the thought there was a lot of light in the "dark ages." I was reminded of this when I read the following passage in "Dracula," by Bram Stoker. It's spoken by Van Helsing, one of my favorite characters in the book.
"I heard once of an American who so defined faith: "that which enables us to believe things which we know to be untrue." For one, I follow that man. He meant that we shall have an open mind, and not let a little bit of truth check the rush of a big truth, like a small rock does a railway truck. We get the small truth first. Good! We keep him, and we value him; but all the same we must not let him think himself all the truth in the universe."
I thought this was an interesting way of thinking about truth - a way to let our minds be open to all truths, and not let what we know prevent us from accepting bigger and more important truths. This is why I love books - its ability to create worlds that are real and speak truths in unique ways.
Music can also speak truths, and while the song below has really nothing to do with this post, I'm including it anyway.
"I have a great many misgivings about the intelligence that men boast so much of in this enlightened day. There were men in those dark ages who could commune with God, and who, by the power of faith, could draw aside the curtain of eternity and gaze upon the invisible world. There were men who could tell the destiny of the human family, and the events which would transpire throughout every subsequent period of time until the final winding-up scene. There were men who could gaze upon the face of God, have the ministering of angels, and unfold the future destinies of the world. If those were dark ages I pray God to give me a little darkness, and deliver me from the light and intelligence that prevail in our day; for as a rational, intelligent, immortal being who has to do with time and eternity, I consider it one of the greatest acquirements for men to become acquainted with their God and with their future destiny." (The Knowledge of God and Mode of Worshiping Him, Discourse by Elder John Taylor, delivered in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, Sept. 7, 1873. Reported by David W. Evans. Emphasis added)
I like the thought there was a lot of light in the "dark ages." I was reminded of this when I read the following passage in "Dracula," by Bram Stoker. It's spoken by Van Helsing, one of my favorite characters in the book.
"I heard once of an American who so defined faith: "that which enables us to believe things which we know to be untrue." For one, I follow that man. He meant that we shall have an open mind, and not let a little bit of truth check the rush of a big truth, like a small rock does a railway truck. We get the small truth first. Good! We keep him, and we value him; but all the same we must not let him think himself all the truth in the universe."
I thought this was an interesting way of thinking about truth - a way to let our minds be open to all truths, and not let what we know prevent us from accepting bigger and more important truths. This is why I love books - its ability to create worlds that are real and speak truths in unique ways.
Music can also speak truths, and while the song below has really nothing to do with this post, I'm including it anyway.
"Gimme Some Lovin," Steve Winwood
This is excellent. Priceless quote from John Taylor as well.
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