Paradox

I went to an enrichment meeting yesterday where a we had an interesting speaker talk about paradoxes in our church. One that I thought was really interesting is that we believe that we are the only true church on the earth, but we also believe that we have a lot in common with other religions and we want people to know that we are just like them in many of our beliefs.

I think both of these things are correct. There are pieces of truth in all religions. When the church was restored to the earth through Joseph Smith it pulled the pieces of truth back in to one whole package that included the priesthood authority. This is why you can feel the Spirit when talking about Jesus Christ or our Heavenly Father, no matter who you are speaking with. I remember once visiting a friend of mine. We went to her church and I was sitting in the congregation and had an experience where the still small voice of the Spirit gave me an answer to my prayer. I knew that what the preacher was talking about was true. While I knew that there was truth in his sermon, I also knew that some things were missing and it wasn't complete. I know that with the priesthood authority and the restoration of all things in the gospel (including ongoing prophetic revelation) I am a member of the true church on the earth today and yet many of the things I believe are taught everyday from pulpits of other religions.