Truth is a very fine line. Often it is very hard to describe exactly, and we end up talking on one side or the other. This happens a lot in church, and someone inevitably chimes in with “yes that’s true, but…” or “and remember, we can’t forget about…” type comments. And while this is sometimes done with an “I’m so smart, look at what I pointed out” attitude, they usually do have a point–because the truth is somewhere in the middle.

In order to describe Truth we often make seemingly contradictory statements, which are in reality describing the same thing but from different side. All perspectives must be taken into consideration together to gain a complete view of Truth.

Sometimes a person holds to one side of Truth exclusively, and may even contend with others who point out the other side. Sometimes we ourselves focus too much on one aspect of Truth to the exclusion of others. Many times I have discovered that the truth is somewhere in the middle.

Paul puts it well:
[12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Philippians 4)

Praying vs. Doing

We must “counsel with the Lord in all [our] doings” (Alma 37:37), but it doesn’t do to just sit at home and pray all day; you must go and do, but you shouldn’t do without praying.

Justice vs. Mercy

[22] But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God. (Alma 42)

The good and the bad of Guilt

[29] And now, my son, I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance. (Alma 42)

I hope it goes without saying that guilt is not a proper motivational technique for leaders and teachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (M. Russell Ballard)

Satan is the “enemy to all righteousness”; thus he plants doubts about the nature of the Godhead and our relationship with Them. Jesus Christ prophesied that in the last days even the very elect would be deceived. Consider three examples of how Lucifer is “laying traps and snares to catch the holy ones of God.”

The snare of false inadequacy. A faithful young person feels unable to meet the expectations of others. At home and school, she is rarely praised and often criticized. The popular media tells her she is not beautiful enough or smart enough. Every day this righteous sister questions whether she is an individual worthy of Heavenly Father’s love, the Savior’s atoning sacrifice, or the Spirit’s constant guidance.

The snare of exaggerated imperfection. An outstanding missionary feels incapable of meeting the expectations of God. In his mind, this worthy elder imagines a stern Heavenly Father bound to irrevocable justice, a Savior capable of cleansing others’ transgressions but not this elder’s own, and a Holy Ghost unwilling to accompany an imperfect person.

The snare of needless guilt. A middle-aged woman is a devoted mother, a loving friend, a faithful Church servant, and a frequent temple patron. But in her heart, this sister cannot forgive herself of sins committed years ago that she has repented of and fully resolved with priesthood leaders. She doubts that her life will ever be acceptable to the Lord and has lost hope of eternal life in Heavenly Father’s presence.

If you have any thoughts and feelings similar to these good Saints, I invite you to become as a little child and feel again “the great and wonderful love made manifest by the Father and the Son in the coming of the Redeemer into the world.” Childlike faith in the perfect love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will “divide asunder” Satan’s snares of inadequacy, imperfection, and guilt. (Anthony D. Perkins)

We are nothing, and yet we are everything

[21] I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another — I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants. (Mosiah 2)

[7] O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth. (Helaman 12)

[10] …and he said unto himself: Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed (Moses 1)

[16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…. (Romans 8)

[9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; (1 Peter 2)

How dare you or I have a low self-image! We are the sons and daughters of God! We belong to Him. We are His children. He gave us birth. He gave us life. That knowledge alone causes every man and every woman, when they understand it, to rise and walk with their head held high (M. Russel Ballard)

Faith and Works

[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2)

[17] Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. [18] Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without they works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (James 2)

[23] …for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. (2 Nephi 25)