Interested in truth...not error

"We recognize the fact that the world is full of good people, that they have their religious convictions and traditions, traditions that are deeply rooted from ages past. We do not ask them to give up any truths that they have, but we do ask that they re-appraise their faith and their religion, their church, to see if they harmonize with that which was taught by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our missionaries do not present a message of a new church; it is a message of the restored Church. We do not have a new gospel. It is the gospel that was preached by Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Our position as Latter-day Saints is that we are entrusted with the responsibility of establishing the kingdom of God in the earth, that it may prepare mankind for the kingdom of heaven that is to come. We feel that there is no greater message that can be brought to the children of men than one that will make men conscious of error and turn them to the truth." -Clifford E. Young, October 1953 General Conference

As Latter-Day Saints, we are interested in truth, no matter the source.  As President Brigham Young once said, "...we believe in all good. If you can find a truth in heaven, earth, or hell, it belongs to our doctrine. We believe it; it is ours; we claim it."  Whether is "scientific" or "spiritual" in nature, we hope to recognize and believe all truth.  On the other hand, President Young also explained that, "If you find an error… I ask you to leave it, pass it by, let it alone; do not embrace it in your faith, do not practice it in your lives." (Journal of Discources, Vol. 13, No. 40).

It begs the question of how to determine between truth and error.  In the New Testament Jesus taught that "by their fruits ye shall know them."  In another time and place He revealed to the prophet Mormon instructions on how to determine between truth and error (found in Moroni 7:12-18):

12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.

 13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

 14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.

 15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

 16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

 17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

 18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.

I thank the Lord for His mercy in giving us His light to help us discern between truth and error and to have direction in our lives.  This light is given to ALL of God's children...no matter their race, color, gender or religion.  My prayer is that we can more fully hearken to this light of Christ that will lead us to do good and to be better in all aspects of our lives and to be able to discern between truth and error.