For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.
Learning to recognize and use reliable sources of information, and how to avoid unreliable sources and propaganda mills, is an increasingly critical skill in this information age. We Latter-day Saints are obligated by covenant to make a daily effort to discern between truth and error – and then to live by the truth. Anything less than this is to be deceived and eventually “cast into the fire.”
Our society is full of unreliable sources of information. Entire television networks are dedicated to pushing out a constant stream of false, deceptive, and twisted information. Social media on the internet is even worse. Everyone feels free to share their, often ignorant, opinions widely and everyone seems to think they are an expert on everything.
The General Handbook
Regarding this serious problem of false messages in our society, the LDS Church General Handbook has a very important and useful section. This is General Handbook Section 38.8.41 – Seeking Information from Reliable Sources. This section is two paragraphs long.
Seeking Information from Reliable Sources
In today’s world, information is easy to access and share. This can be a great blessing for those seeking to be educated and informed. However, many sources of information are unreliable and do not edify. Some sources seek to promote anger, contention, fear, or baseless conspiracy theories (see 3 Nephi 11:30; Mosiah 2:32). Therefore, it is important that Church members be wise as they seek truth.
Members of the Church should seek out and share only credible, reliable, and factual sources of information. They should avoid sources that are speculative or founded on rumor. The guidance of the Holy Ghost, along with careful study, can help members discern between truth and error (see Doctrine and Covenants 11:12; 45:57). In matters of doctrine and Church policy, the authoritative sources are the scriptures, the teachings of the living prophets, and the General Handbook.
38. Church Policies and Guidelines, General Handbook, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Be wise
Look again at the first paragraph. The Church Handbook says that “many sources of information are unreliable and do not edify.” I would guess most people already knew that. Unfortunately, the human tendency is to then presume that MY sources of information are good and, if you disagree with me about something, then YOUR sources of information must be bad.
Such a response is nothing more than one’s self-centered ego talking. “Saints” should have more humility than that and be willing to consider the possibility that they could actually learn something from someone else.
But, O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit, which was spoken of by my father Mosiah.
The Handbook tells us how to recognize unreliable sources in that first paragraph. If a source of information promotes anger, contention, fear, and/or conspiracy theories we need to be “wise”. Such sources are unreliable and divisive and should not be trusted. It is better to avoid those kinds of sources completely.
Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.
Don’t share speculative information
The second paragraph in this section of the Handbook tells us to “seek out and share only credible, reliable, and factual sources of information” and to “avoid sources that are speculative or founded on rumor.”
I know, it can be fun to read and share juicy memes on social media. Sometimes we may want to share something that probably isn’t true, but, still, it makes us feel validated because it supports our grievances or reinforces our prejudices. So we gleefully pass it on to others.
Frankly, participating in the online sharing of dubious and false information makes you a part of the problem. Such behavior should be beneath the dignity of a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.
And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.
Well said and timely.
I’ve found when I talk to neighbors about listening to and believing in FOX News and suggest they listen to NPR they go into a tirade about NPR being a “liberal” source of info. I think the key is what you mentioned, “If a source of information promotes anger, contention, fear, and/or conspiracy theories we need to be “wise.” Fox is built on that model; NPR is not.
I’m sure there are other sources of “good” information, such as books, but for everyday news, it’s hard to find and trust a large network based on information for money. NPR is local, crowd-sourced funding with a non-profit underpinning that presents information. I guess it’s called liberal because it doesn’t tell us what to think.
Amen
Sadly, everything is a dichotomy. The left doesn’t like what sources the right like and vice versa…I have searched conference talks from the current to what former prophets and apostles have said regarding finding truth in political areas. The sad thing is, you can point out some false news pretty easily but if you mention or show it to those who are very conservative, they deny, deny, deny. I quit talking to these people after DJT was elected the first time. It didn’t do any good then and it sure won’t now. When talking about sources that are devisive or promoting anger, contention or fear, right off the bat, the right wing news sources fit that description right out of the gate. Many have anger in their tone of voice and hand or arm gestures. I literally have trusted the Book of Mormon to guide me regarding choosing political leaders and everything I read points me to the left. Starting to wonder if I am losing my abililty to really understand the division amongst us….
Amen