Why Truth Matters

Why Truth Matters

Exploring the role of truth in shaping identity, values, and purpose.

Truth, at its core, is a compass. It directs not only how we navigate the world but also who we become along the way. Imagine a ship charting its course across the vast ocean. Without a reliable compass, it drifts aimlessly, vulnerable to the whims of the sea. Similarly, truth provides the framework within which we shape our identity, values, and purpose.

When we align our lives with what we perceive to be true, our identity gains coherence. We are no longer cobbling together fragments of borrowed beliefs, but instead, we become individuals who move confidently through the world, knowing why we choose what we choose. A sense of self rooted in truth acts as a foundation—steady, reliable, and resistant to the shifting sands of circumstance.

Truth also influences our values. What we believe to be true informs what we deem important. For instance, if we believe in the intrinsic worth of every human being, we naturally value compassion and fairness. Conversely, if our truths are distorted or unexamined, our values may become misaligned, leading to actions that conflict with our deeper moral instincts. When we don’t examine our beliefs, it can hard to prioritize our values. Decisions that should be straight forward may now be opaque.

Purpose, the "why" that propels us forward, is perhaps truth's most profound gift. When we live in alignment with truth, our purpose gains clarity. It’s no longer shaped by external expectations or cultural pressures but emerges authentically from within. A life grounded in truth allows us to direct our energy toward goals that resonate deeply, leaving us with a sense of fulfillment that no external validation can replicate.

The interplay between truth, freedom, and authenticity.

Truth and freedom are inseparable partners in the pursuit of authenticity. Without truth, freedom becomes an illusion—choices made in ignorance or deception are not truly free. When we anchor ourselves in truth, we unlock the ability to act with intention and integrity, unburdened or obscured by the falsehoods that constrain us.

Consider a bird in a doorless cage. If the bird believes the cage is the entire world, it will never attempt to escape. However, if it learns the truth—that there is an open door and a vast sky beyond—it gains the freedom to soar. Similarly, when we confront uncomfortable truths, we often discover that they liberate us, allowing us to leave behind the constraints of fear, guilt, or misinformation.

Authenticity, meanwhile, flourishes in the presence of truth. To live authentically is to be honest about who we are, what we value, and what we seek. But authenticity cannot thrive when our understanding of the world is built on illusions or half-truths. It is only when we commit to discovering and embracing truth—about ourselves, others, and the world—that we can live in a way that feels real and deeply human.

In the context of a faith crisis, this interplay takes on profound significance. When we question long-held beliefs, we often feel disoriented, even untethered. Yet this discomfort signals growth. By seeking truth—even at the cost of temporary unease—we open ourselves to the freedom to rebuild our lives authentically, guided by values and purposes that genuinely reflect who we are.

Ultimately, truth is not a rigid destination but a dynamic process—a lifelong commitment to learning, questioning, and evolving. It shapes the stories we tell about ourselves, empowers us to live freely, and reveals the rich, complex beauty of an authentic life. When truth becomes our guide, the world opens up, and so do we.

The Connection Between Living the Good Life and Truth

Most believe that truth is central to achieving a good life. This is something the LDS Church teaches. For example:

“The pursuit, discovery, and application of truth are what we are on this earth to discover.” -President Uchtdorf, Church News “Seeing Beyond the Leaf”

“Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but as the determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well.” – Thomas S. Monson, “Courage Counts,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 41.

“No man can disprove a truth. This is why people are angry, and why they contend against facts. They are fearful… Why not rather every man rise up and say, 'Let God be true, let the truth remain, and let me know the truth; that is what I want——I will submit to it; and let every false theory and principle fall, to rise no more?’ Will they do this? No, they will not.” -Brigham Young, Journal of Discourse, Vol. 8, p. 132

“A person who faces up to the truth and speaks it honestly, without reservation and without attempted concealment, is on the path of growth and success. An individual who conceals and misrepresents, however small the matter, sows the seeds of his own corruption.”
            -Dallin H. Oaks, BYU Speech “Be Honest in All Behavior”, Jan 30, 1973

"The man who cannot listen to an argument which opposes his views either has a weak position or is a weak defender of it. No opinion that cannot stand discussion or criticism is worth holding. And it has been wisely said that the man who knows only half of any question is worse off than the man who knows nothing of it. He is not only one sided, but his partisanship soon turns him into an intolerant and a fanatic. In general it is true that nothing which cannot stand up under discussion and criticism is worth defending."

-James E Talmage, Feb 2014 Conference, Get Informed, Get Involved

While the Church Teaches Truth, It Often Obfuscates It

The LDS Church teaches that truth is central to living the good life, as demonstrated in the quotes above. Leaders often emphasize honesty, courage, and the pursuit of truth as essential virtues. However, the Church’s actions frequently contradict these teachings. While truth is praised in theory, the Church has historically prioritized protecting its narrative over fully embracing independent truth-seeking.

For example, the Church carefully curates its history, often presenting a simplified or faith-promoting version of events while minimizing or avoiding less convenient details. Topics such as the translation process of the Book of Mormon, the origins of polygamy, or the historical context of certain doctrines are often framed in ways that support institutional goals rather than openly exploring all available evidence. When members question these narratives or seek clarity, they may encounter resistance, discouragement, or even consequences that discourage further inquiry.

This selective approach to truth runs counter to the idea of independent truth-seeking and undermines the freedom to explore reality fully. However, the pursuit of truth remains vital—not because an institution demands it but because it connects us to the reality of our existence. When we embrace truth in its fullness, even when it challenges our assumptions or creates discomfort, we open the door to genuine growth. The good life requires a foundation built on accurate beliefs about reality, not just comforting narratives. Truth is what grounds us in reality, aligns our values and actions, and ultimately makes authentic fulfillment possible.

The justification for that ideology generally follows this pathway:

LIVING THE GOOD LIFE

1. I Want to live the best possible life. What defines the best possible life is subjective.
2. The best possible life contains the greatest number of outcomes that align with the best possible life. Once we have determined what is the best possible life for us, there exists a set of outcomes that best align with it.
3. I perform actions in my life.
4. My beliefs about reality directly impact the actions I take.
5. My beliefs may be accurate or inaccurate.
6. Positive outcomes are dependent on actions that lead to positive outcomes. You should not expect positive outcomes from actions that you know lead to negative outcomes.
7. Therefore, I want to perform actions that lead to positive outcomes.
8. Therefore, I need to know which actions will lead to positive outcomes.
9. Only an accurate understanding of reality will allow me to choose the best actions to achieve the best outcomes. Truth-based beliefs lead to effective actions.
10. An inaccurate understanding can lead to inefficient or counterproductive actions. Misguided actions waste time, resources, and sometimes worsen situations. Therefore, efforts to increase understanding are important.
11. Therefore, I should strive to believe as many true things as possible and eliminate as many false beliefs as possible. Holding true beliefs minimizes harm and maximizes the chance for positive results.
12. The best way to cultivate accurate beliefs and prune inaccurate ones is to use the most effective tools for understanding reality.

Truth is central to achieving a good life. The pursuit of truth creates a roadmap that informs decisions, reduces potential for harm, and aligns actions with reality, making it possible to live a life filled with genuine abundance and fulfillment.

The best way to cultivate accurate beliefs and prune inaccurate ones is to use the most effective tools for understanding reality. Here’s the pathway on understanding reality:

UNDERSTANDING REALITY

1. Reality exists.
2. Reality is objective and independent of individual beliefs or hopes. There are objective truths about Reality.
3. Reality is consistent and causal. There is a connection between cause and effect.
4. The connection between cause and effect can be studied and understood.    
5. Humans have developed tools to investigate cause and effect and find Truth. Truth is that which accurately describes Reality.
6. These tools can be evaluated for usefulness using predictive power. Tools that are effective will accurately predict the outcome of an action.
7. Effective tools will converge on Truth. Reliable methods should consistently circle similar conclusions. Methods that consistently lead to contradictory conclusions are likely unreliable. All methods are fallible because humans are fallible, therefore we will never be certain, even if we are extremely confident.
8. People make claims about Reality. These claims can be evaluated (as pointed out in #5, #6 and #7 above). Claims that do not align with evidence are less likely to be true. Claims that align with evidence are more likely to be true. The more evidence/data we have, the more confident we can be that a claim does or does not align with reality. Claims that cannot be investigated cannot be evaluated.

If the pursuit of truth creates a roadmap that informs decisions, reduces potential for harm, and aligns actions with reality, making it possible to live a life filled with genuine abundance and fulfillment. Then it follows that essentially the two pathways presented in “Living the Good Life” and “Understanding Reality” are the basis for how we can have the most accurate (truthful) road map for life as possible.

Conclusion: Truth as the Foundation of the Good Life

Truth is more than a philosophical ideal—it is the foundation for living a meaningful, authentic, and fulfilling life. As this has explored, truth shapes our identity, informs our values, and clarifies our purpose. It is the key to freedom and authenticity, liberating us from the confines of misinformation or unexamined beliefs. The Church teaches that truth is essential to the good life, but its actions often reveal a reluctance to promote truth independent of its narrative. In contrast, living the good life requires an uncompromising commitment to understanding and aligning with reality.

The interconnected pathways outlined here—pursuing truth to guide our actions and understanding reality as the basis for accurate beliefs—serve as a roadmap for those in a faith crisis or questioning long-held beliefs. By striving to believe as many true things as possible and eliminating false beliefs, we align our lives with the world as it is, not as we wish it to be. This alignment allows us to make better decisions, reduce harm, and create a life filled with genuine meaning and abundance.

Deconstructing faith and reevaluating long-held beliefs can be daunting, but the discomfort of questioning is a necessary step toward growth. By committing to truth, even when it challenges us, we gain the clarity and freedom needed to live our lives authentically. The journey may be difficult, but the reward is a life rooted in reality, purpose, and integrity. Truth matters—not as a tool to preserve institutions but as the compass that allows us to chart a course toward the good life.