I was at book club recently when I heard some shocking news about a well-known author and motivational speaker. This person, after writing many books about love, faith and family, has since chosen a very different lifestyle that is almost in direct conflict with the one she has promoted.
It was devastating to me, to be honest. This is a woman I enjoyed learning from, someone whose columns and books were very entertaining and uplifting, and although we differed in our core beliefs, she seemed to root for a value-based life.
On her Instagram page, she asked her followers to let her “follow her truth.” She said this is what she was actually meant for all along. I saw posts of her talking about how empowered she felt.
And it saddened me.
So many times I feel like I’ve been let down by women who boldly declare one thing, and then the next day boldly declare another. To me, it’s obvious that they are “like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:6). What is truth, anyway? Is it something that you really can decide for yourself? Does it change according to desire and circumstance?
I felt confused and uneasy as I tried to sort these questions out in my mind when another thought, or rather scripture, from the Bible came into my mind:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to day, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
And then another soon followed from the Book of Mormon, Alma 7:20:
“… he cannot walk in crooked paths; neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; neither hath he a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that which is right to that which is wrong; therefore, his course is one eternal round.”
Peace instantly filled my heart. I believe I am a member of a living church, where revelation is needed and given to our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, and his apostles. I believe we receive instruction according to our level of understanding and worthiness at that time, but that the core doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remains the same.
“The ‘doctrine of Jesus Christ’ is the only teaching that can properly be called ‘doctrine.’ It is fixed and unchanging. It cannot be modified or contradicted, but merely amplified as additional truths that deepen understanding and appreciation of its meaning are revealed. It is the basis on which the test of faith is made, and the rock or foundation of all other revealed teachings, principles and practices,” according to the Encyclopedia of Mormonism (see M. Gerald Bradford, Larry E. Dahl, BYU’s “Doctrine: Meaning, Source, and History of Doctrine” 1992 publication).
I know that as confusing as life can get, I can turn in complete confidence toward my Heavenly Father for constant, reliable truth. That is incredibly comforting to me! I don’t have to wonder what “truths” I need to discover for myself. It is a huge blessing and reassurance to know that God cannot lie (see Titus 1:2) and will always guide me in right ways.
I have always loved the phrase “Remember not only who you are, but whose you are.” The Young Women theme begins by saying, “We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us, and we love him.” If he loves me, if I am his daughter, if I am his — then I can trust him, always and no matter what.
I believe Heavenly Father can give me all the strength I need throughout this life, and that we as women, armed with his power, can — and perhaps have a responsibility to — help lead others to the “source of all truth that is complete and correct. That source is our wise and all-knowing Heavenly Father” (see “What is the Truth?” by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Friend, March 2017).
Nothing and no one could be more empowering than trusting and following him.