Truth

Last night I was sitting in a hotel room in Walnut Creek (Marriott, of course) working on a Mid-year Review for one of the reps on my team when Jeri called with some disturbing news via the source of all disturbing news in 2012, Facebook.  Based on some status updates and 15 "Likes" that were posted on Jeri's wall, it appeared that a dear friend and mentor of mine was going through a divorce.  I immediately logged on to Jeri's account (since I deleted mine a few months ago...long story) to confirm what she had read and was sad to see that this was indeed the case.  I had the feeling that I should send him a quick text to offer my friendship and see if there was anything I could do for him.  Within 30 seconds of clicking Send on my iPhone 4 (black with Cardinals cover), the same phone was ringing and his name was on the Caller ID.  I picked up the call and for the next 30 minutes, I found myself in the midst of a very sad yet uplifting discussion with him as he related the events of the last 15 years of his life and the travails and trials that led to his divorce.  It seems that his wife had cheated on him many years ago and that she had made it clear to him that she wasn't happy in their marriage.  They had seen counselors, talked with their Bishop, and made many efforts to keep their marriage together and they were successful for quite some time.  Unfortunately, about a year ago, she came to him and re-affirmed the fact that she wasn't happy in the marriage and wanted out.  Since then, she made the decision to leave the church, move in with her boyfriend, and alienate most of her family, including her three grown children and her grandchildren.  As I listened to him relate this story, my thoughts turned to a license plate rim I recently came across that said "Nothing is True.  Everything is Permitted."  When I first saw this message, I thought about the many conversations I have had through the years with people about the church and the gospel.  I thought specifically about how many times I've heard a version of the phrase, "You have to find what's true for you."  This message, the thought that nothing is true and that everything is permitted, might as well include the standard election disclaimer, "My name is Satan, and I approve of this message."  Find what's true for you?  3 + 3 isn't 6 for me and 7 for someone else.  Either my computer monitor is sitting in front of me or it's not, and in the end, either God exists or He doesn't, just like The Book of Mormon says. 

And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin.  If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness.  And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness.  And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery.  And if these things are not there is no God.  And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore all things must have vanished away.  -  2 Nephi 2:13

I must admit that the thought has crossed my mind before.  What if there were no rules?  What if there was no truth, if everything was permitted, if there was no God?  There have certainly been times in my life when it would have been much easier to give in to this belief and let my conscience off the hook.  My friend's wife left the church, her husband to whom she was sealed for 30 years, her family, and everything she once believed.  Did she decide that nothing is true?  Did she start to believe that everything is permitted?

During those hardest of hard times when it would have been easier to move to New Orleans and become a street jazz player, the reality that kept me going is that TRUTH is TRUTH.  I know that God lives.  I know that the Gospel is true, and I know that God knows that I know it is true.  

And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created al things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.  -  2 Nephi 2:14

The truth is that God lives, and whether we choose to accept that truth or not doesn't change the fact that it is the truth.  My friend's wife made a choice and the hard truth is that her choice, like all significant choices in life, will have lasting consequences for her.  


The truth is that I need to go to bed, and the fact that I'm sitting here blogging at 2:15 am on a work night will have dire consequences.  Good night!


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