Chapter 17A
Does the Church Have a Monopoly on Truth?
Such a question reflects a complete misapprehension of the claims of the restored Church of Christ.
A monopoly of truth would mean the possession of all available truth, and the exclusion of those not in the Church from participation in the possession or benefits of truth.
Nothing could be farther from the teachings of the Church. It has been taught from the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith that the light of truth enlightens every man born into the earth. All who seek truth find it, whether in or out of the Church.
Those who seek earnestly for truth in libraries, laboratories or open nature will be rewarded from the inexhaustible fountain of truth. The author of truth is generous. The Church urges that in every clime, by all men, at all times, the search for truth be continued; for as truth increases a long men, human joys may increase.
However, there are many kinds of truth. Some truths concern themselves with the physical laws determining the conditions of earth and the heavens, and by which things move and operate. That is valuable knowledge, which has given humanity many of its material and intellectual blessings. The discovery of such truths has called into being our present civilization which speaks with the stars and gives light and comfort to the humblest home.
There are higher kinds of truth—such as pertain to human conduct, that is, to man’s manner of using the gifts of knowledge that have come to him; truths that concern the God of heaven and man’s relationship to his divine Father; truths that explain the mystery of the past, reveal the purpose of the present, and foretell the future destiny of man; truths that enable man, if he but use them, to approach, forever, the likeness of God.
This latter kind of truth forms the Plan of Salvation as set forth in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel is a product of the mind and will of the Lord. It teaches that a divine purpose runs through the universe, encompassing every fact, law and principle, and enlivening all the works of God. Thus the Gospel in its fullness becomes the structure or house of truth, into which all truth may be fitted. As the home of truth, the Gospel claims all truth, and places all truth in its proper place and position with respect to the present and future welfare of man.
The truths of the Gospel, as ail other truth, are available to all mankind. Indeed, perhaps all men possess a part of this basic knowledge for their great comfort. Certainly in every church professing God there is some of this higher truth. That is the doctrine of the Latter-day Saints. However, the Gospel is operated on earth under the authority of the Lord. He placed man on earth, and gave him the Gospel. He has watched over the children of men throughout the ages of time and reestablished His Church from time to time as the apostasy of man made it necessary. To the care of the Church the Gospel has been committed with His authority, called the Priesthood. Only the Church possessing this authority is the complete Church of Christ, and there can be but one.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints possesses the truth relative to the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the one divine plan of salvation, and the authority to officiate in God’s name in the upbuilding of the Church of Christ. There is but one Gospel; there can be but one Priesthood; there is but one Church which encompasses the whole truth of the Gospel. In that sense only, does the Church claim to possess the full fundamental truth, call it monopoly if you choose, necessary for full salvation in the celestial kingdom of God. This the Church does humbly and gratefully. Keenly sensible of its high commission and a vast responsibility to lead all mankind into a fullness of the knowledge leading to eternal progression in the presence of the Lord.