In Orson Whitney’s speech “Home Literature”, one of the topics he teaches is the
importance of truth. He says that no matter where and who creates finds it,
truth is truth. God, or more
specifically the Holy Ghost, inspires truth. In the history of the human race
God has inspired men and woman to share truth with others through literature,
music, oral tradition and other mediums.
What happens though, when there is so much truth in a book
but it also has its flaws? Do we love it and revere it? Do we take the good
without the bad? Can we truly understand the truthful part without the other
part?
In Nephi Anderson’s Added
Upon, as readers, we must make this distinction. This book is full of great
imagery and excels in its ability to transport a reader to the premortal
realm. Anderson sheds light on
what it may have been like to fight Lucifer in the battle of the minds. The truth is that the children of God
are mighty and fully capable beating evil. In this life we are really in a battle of the minds.
In a world where the Adversary fights so hard for our souls,
it is comforting that there are people who listen to the Spirit. I believe it
is a way that the Lord is fighting against Satan and a way that the Lord
intends to bring many souls back to Him.
“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” (Book of Mormon)
I believe that there are many seeds of truth in the book Added Upon but we must be careful so
that we do not accept everything. In short, take the light and leave the darkness!
