A Reflection on Joseph Smith's Restorationist Vision of Truth

The way of viewing truth in the Church differs from common philosophical concept as something that corresponds to historical or present facts a given situation. Church's version is it possessed by God, never varies, eternally fixed, and made known humankind through revelation.2 This absolute view problematic because open being used those positions power influence manipulate oppress others. Everyone familiar with colloquialism “history written victors.”3 statement conveys has been manipulated throughout history. damage trauma littered across generations, ruthless persecution so-called heretics after adoption Christianity religion Roman empire Spanish Inquisition, Crusades witch hunts, massive slaughter, enslavement, exploitation, oppression Indigenous peoples world sanctioned Christian colonizers use theological scriptural “truth” marginalize women other vulnerable groups history into day.In some cases, explicitly exploit name religion. But more often, this leads an inadvertent discounting marginalizing alternative views groups. Due specific gender, racial, cultural makeup leadership, issues may not be addressed considered. At institutional level, religious organizations, including our own, dictate acceptable positions, doctrinal beliefs, practices levy penalties for nonconformity. Those different experiences who criticize openly challenge official teaching narrative can subject informal ostracization formal ecclesiastical discipline. Thus, tight control maintained over interpretation verification leaders, degree which personal experience opinion held correspond circumscribed. Because notion misuse abuse, what needed incorporate individual, varied, diverse human understanding conceptual truth.On May 6, 1833, following summer adjournment School Prophets Kirtland, Ohio, Joseph Smith received revelation was become section 93 Doctrine Covenants. taught all existed beginning God Christ intelligences—autonomous agents organized God: “Man also God. Intelligence, light truth, created made, neither indeed be.”4 In very next verse comes startling pronouncement forms basis my exploration: “All independent sphere placed it, act itself, intelligence also; otherwise there no existence.”5There are three important aspects consider: 1) independent, 2) autonomous agent able 3) existence itself depends on independence agency.For suggests exists outside God's control. It created, be, according 29. place sphere, but, once placed, functions acts Aside verse, further mention anywhere scriptures. Teaching leaders often mentions indicative fact relative truth.6 Absolute truths cannot changed, whereas refers someone discovers veridical statements reality but approximations change inquiry, experience, revelation.7Absolute here referred unchanging relation world—even if people do believe, they still true. unclear how type stands creator applies Furthermore, Alma, eternal laws must obeyed he will “cease God.”8 presents conundrum stand could “placed” him, clearly stated 30. For these reasons, does seem refer universe remains unchangeable eternity.The parallels within theology.9 doctrine agency critical purpose meaning humanity. consistent foundational Mormon teachings about supports interpreting 30 indicating crucially related embodied mortal experience.If we consider beings aspect necessarily informed conditioned varied existence. nature means each individual live out their lives places, countries, cities, life experiences, opportunities, challenges function particular state, impacts race, ethnicity, along cultural, economic, political, factors. If constitutes then encompass range perspectives, choices, consequences, trajectories Truth humanity its infinite diversity continues grow lives.To clarify, defined action As such, ever evolving becoming. Verse 24 says “knowledge” things are, were, come. I take mean knowledge either personally works words others, divine gift realities experiencing, come know is, actuality, have been, be.10 individuals, then, From omniscient perspective, actual, ongoing history.Because separated only one fully experienced claim understand comprehend truth. 88, revealed Christ's atonement condescension mortality had granted him such comprehension: “He ascended up high, descended below things, comprehended might truth.”11 Now begin Jesus when himself “the truth.” His mortality, surrounded suffering poor, oppressed, marginalized, already allowed “bear witness unto truth.”12 Jesus’ solidarity his incarnation enabled had, would, experience. When sum total quite literally became totality truth.Another proposed calling referring embodiment. According view, same By affirmed central characteristic Although idea unfamiliar many members Church, long scholarly tradition. issue phrase “son man,” appears numerous times Bible. translation Hebrew Aramaic indicates colloquial generic being, generally, contrast deity emphasis condition.13Why would way? Why own divinity, names him: Savior, Redeemer, Lord, Messiah? fact, at every opportunity embrace titles, rejected them, preferring diminutive term grew “grace grace” “received fullness first”14 unaware mission time. One assume awareness struck, happen. There seems embodiment general. taken divinity. referral man” indicate recognized part acting history.We demonstrate keep commandments, make sacred covenants receiving saving ordinances, progressively sanctified Christ. A succinct book Moses: “For behold, work glory, bring pass immortality man.”15 Here find ourselves loggerheads regarding multiple ways. Specifically, exactly “glory”? various scriptures, “glory” worldly fame accolades,16 heavenly blessing favor,17 exultation,18 aesthetic beauty,19 brightness,20 come,21 enabling power,22 among things. Later 93, gives definition glory get scripture, yet considered explored above, provides key why crucial “The intelligence, or, words, truth.”23 Up until now revelation, played loosely terms: light, clarifies us synonymous. Not that, conjunction interpret perpetual lived humanity.This helps sense Moses 1:39 context. usually read everything crowning achievement life. end Moses’ vision creation natural world.24 shown earth's inhabitants, whole earth. He intimated numberless worlds inhabitants created. spectacular 39 comes. saying driving force creation, humankind, progress toward state godliness. Everything happened, happening, happen, moving final end. theology considers helping like God—indeed, gods right—we therefore potentiality creation. incomplete realized agency, continue deepen expand.The accommodate includes anything less than current interpretation, create organizes itself. possible any organization tradition hold other, true cloaked humanity, revealed, verified, witnessed to, least traditionally think of. simply history.Rather form relativism pointing belief claims equally valid believe however will, position understood comprised Therefore, makes compare another individually full subsumes ongoing, continuously changing, humanity.Our faith accept wherever found, portray holding strict monopoly incompatible fundamental agent. need recognize, accept, missionary efforts determine decide most successfully convert others instead covenant community of, around communities, nations, world.Within congregations pews, feel threatened empowered perspective members. Historically oppressed groups, women, racial LGBTQ+ minorities, respected places conversations efforts. We recognize prevailing views, understandings, treatment individuals normalization marginalization society. Failure acknowledge this, coupled denies unique amplified theology. Recognizing help embark long-needed painful journey justice reconciliation. Such reconciliation allow reflect embody majesty beauty manifest seeds universal, expansive, inclusive were fleetingly opaquely, brief magnificent verse. Perhaps reflections contribute recovery imagination, development, articulation powerful restorationist