Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) said, “Every truth found in every church in all the world we believe. But we also say this to all men—Come and take the added light and truth that God has restored in our day” (see Russell M. Nelson, “Teach Us Tolerance and Love,” Ensign, May 1994, 70)
When sharing my testimony I used to say that our Church is the “only true Church.” I don’t say that anymore. Not because it isn’t true, but because it doesn’t help promote understanding.
I have a friend who said she would not join our Church because she believed we didn’t value the truth in other churches. She cited our rhetoric “only true Church” as alienating a whole group of very good people. She didn’t want to be part of a culture she perceived as narrow-minded and insensitive, even though she recognized the good the church does in my life and others. She had many LDS friends, but the rhetoric bothered her because it was not the language she expected from followers of Christ. This language was clearly a barrier to her investigating the Church further.
Some friends tell me that when we say “only true Church” it makes them feel 1) that we don’t believe any other church but ours has truth; or 2) that others not of our faith are not true believers in Christ. Neither is accurate.
We can be cavalier and say, “Well the statement is true, therefore it is OK to say. Some will be offended by the truth, right? Don’t the scriptures tell us that?” Let’s be clear: a statement, while being true or correct, may not promote understanding. It does matter how we say it. It takes real caring and sensitivity to consider how someone else receives our message.
So how do we say what we mean? I once heard an English teacher say: “It’s terrific to be specific.”
I tried this. A woman asked me if we believe we have a monopoly on truth, if we believed we were the only true church. I said, “No, we don’t believe we have a monopoly on truth. We believe all churches have truth. What we do is invite you to see if we can add to the truth you already know.” She said, “I like that.” By being specific and to the point, I was able to validate the truth between us and find common ground. As a result our conversation continued with warmth and understanding; there was no barrier as we shared our deepest convictions with each other.
In what ways can you share how the restored gospel has made a difference in your life? How has it brought you close to Christ? How has it helped you understand His atoning sacrifice? Can you relate how your life is influenced by living prophets and the restored ordinances of the gospel? Think about how you can share your most cherished beliefs, the truths you know, in order to be better understood.
Remember: it’s terrific to be specific!
Having joined the church in my 20's and now in my 60's I will have to say that I couldn't agree more with this article! I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the term "the church is true" or "the only true church" when at the pulpit. To this day it rubs me wrong every time I hear that said. I have been blessed ten-fold because of my membership, however, I cannot agree more that saying "the only true church" does NOT promote understanding with those of a different faith.
Posted by: Lana Childs | April 13, 2007 at 11:52 AM