The Pursuit of Truth

I recently was in a Book of Mormon class where the professor offered as his opinion that we all look at the world through our own “lenses”. He demonstrated this principle by putting on a pair of sunglasses, which changed his view in a physical manner. He then suggested that the “lenses” that we each wear are a result of our environments----our beliefs, associations, experiences, and circumstances. For example, a 13 year old boy from Florida will look at the world differently than a 45 year old woman from Sweden. They each have a set of “lenses” that defines the world for them.

As our professor continued to talk, I thought of my own “set of lenses”. I am a 21 year old, White male. I grew up in the rural countryside of Idaho. I come from a large family with many siblings, including my twin sister. I am a college student and a member of the Mormon Church. All these components form part of the way I look at the world around me. Then came the real kicker: our professor encouraged each of us to take off our “lenses” this semester as an attempt to see the world in a different light----in an effort to learn more.

This got me thinking: is it actually possible to separate ourselves from our “lenses”---from our circumstances, our beliefs, and our points of view in order to see things in a different perspective? How can one accomplish such a feat?

As I have reflected on my own life and experiences, I see that it is possible to change our “lenses”. I believe that the way we are able to change is by accepting and applying more truth in our lives.

I recently returned from serving as a full time missionary for the Mormon Church for two years. The two years were full of many experiences and opportunities to learn from others. One person that sticks out to me as I saw her change her “lenses” was a young woman named Jessica. Jessica was a young 22 year old when I first met her. She was bright and already had a career set up for her. She had belonged to a church her entire life and was a Sunday school teacher for that church. She felt very comfortable and content with her life. She began meeting with us in an effort to find out “what was wrong with the Mormon Church,” as well as methods to help others to avoid the Mormons.

Although she was terrified as we first began meeting with her, she quickly grew comfortable with us as we met with her more. We taught her that The Book of Mormon was the only way that she would be able to discover the truth or falseness of our message and church, and we invited her to begin reading it. She was reluctant at first, but soon became enthralled by the many stories, lessons, and principles that the book contained. She began taking thorough notes of the things that she was learning. In a matter of a few weeks, Jessica’s lenses had changed. She had discovered more truth to add to the truths she already held dear. She has now been a member of the Church for well over a month and loves the new perspective she has in life.

The prophet Jacob in The Book of Mormon teaches that truth is made manifest through the Spirit because the Spirit teaches “things as they really are, and of things as they really will be…” (Jacob 4:13). I hope that I will be able to see “things as they really are” this semester. Just as Jessica, my “lenses” may change as I learn, accept, and apply more truth from The Book of Mormon.