Quotes from the Brethren
Gordon B. Hinckley–
What a charge has been laid upon us to grow constantly toward eternity! None of us can assume that we have learned enough. As the door closes on one phase of life, it opens on another, where we must continue to pursue knowledge. Ours ought to be a ceaseless quest for truth. That truth must include spiritual and religious truth as well as secular. As we go forward with our lives and our search for truth, let us look for the good, the beautiful, the positive. (Faith, The Essence of True Religion; p. 73)
Neal A. Maxwell–
It is no accident that the lessening, or loss, of belief in certain absolute truths, such as the existence of God and the reality of immortality, has occurred at the same time there has been a sharp gain in the size and power of governments.
Once we remove belief in God from the center of our lives, as the source of truth and as a determiner of justice, a tremendous vacuum is created into which selfishness surges, a condition that governments delight in managing. (Notwithstanding My Weakness; 1981, p. 34)
Quotes from the Founders
Patrick Henry–
It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth – and listen to the song of that syren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it might cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it. (Henry, Patrick speech in the Virginia Convention, Mar 23, 1775)
Hamilton, Alexander, and Madison–
Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to be conclusive and sacred. (Hamilton, Alexander and Madison, James Federalist No. 20, December 11, 1787)
Alexander Hamilton
In disquisitions of every kind there are certain primary truths, or first principles, upon which all subsequent reasoning must depend. (Hamilton, Alexander Federalist No. 31 January 1, 1788)
Alexander Hamilton–
Man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without rudder, is the spot of every wind. With such persons, gullability, which they call faith, takes the helm from the hand of reason and the mind becomes a wreck. (Hamilton, Alexander Federalist No. 31, January 1, 1788)
George Washington–
There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily. (Washington, George letter to Edmund Randolph, July 31, 1795)
Speeches and Other Resources
- Russell M. Nelson, “Truth–and More, ” Ensign, Jan. 1986, 69
- Bruce R. McConkie, “The Seven Deadly Heresies,” 1980
- Spencer W. Kimball, “Absolute Truth,” Ensign, Sept. 1978
- “Truth”, Richard G. Scott, June 13, 1978
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