Continuing along with the dissection of the gems found in Jacob 4, I find it worthwhile to analyze Jacob’s words when he said:

“Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old. (Jacob 4:13)

Jacob here is speaking about truth; specifically, truth revealed by the Spirit, which “speaketh the truth and lieth not.” The acquisition of truth has been humanity’s quest through the ages, and great mysteries have remained unsolved because what is often true in one situation can be false in another. Even so, Jacob seems to indicate that there are truths of an absolute nature amid those truths that are relative, when he mentions as “things as they really are, and of things as they really will be.”

First, it should be plainly noted that the scriptures often use figurative devices to teach truth. Parables, allegories, even certain visions are presented through symbols, metaphors, and other elements with relative applications. Typically, however, their interpretation yields insights that are universal.

One biblical example of this is the vision of Ezekiel, where he sees wheels, and a part-man part-eagle part-ox part-lion creature, all in the context seeing the throne of God. The physical descriptions of what Ezekiel is seeing are not to be directly applied to an understanding of the physical characteristics of God, but rather are to be understood figuratively.

Of course, the methods of figurative interpretation are as varied as the scriptural symbols themselves, and thus we see an wide array of debates between literal and figurative interpretations, and discord between orthodox figurative interpretations and liberal figurative interpretations. While there may be no universally clear-cut answers regarding every scriptural instance of what is literal and what is symbolic, it does seem clear that regardless, there is an absolute level of reality that all true teachings (figurative, literal or otherwise) point to.

Primary among these is the central fact that humanity’s existence on earth is backed by purpose and plan that was devised by God, with the intent of fostering our progression. The restoration of the gospel added greater emphasis on this with its additional revelations regarding the plan of salvation and the purpose of life.

Neal A. Maxwell was adamant on illustrating this absolute layer of understanding to the body of gospel knowledge. He stated:

“Brothers and sisters, we dare not hold back the restored gospel’s declaratives! We dare not hold back the reassuring revelations and truth-telling translations about “things as they really are, and … things as they really will be.” These are so needed by those whose weary hands hang down because they suffer from doctrinal anemia, which can best be treated by the red blood cells of the Restoration. To hold back would be to restrain repentance and to obscure the beckoning spiritual alternative, which will become “fair as the sun, and clear as the moon” (Ensign, Nov 2003, 99)

Some uncertainty still exists regarding which aspects of conventional wisdom are indeed congruent with ‘”things as they really are.” Some commandments and laws that are currently observed are actually preparatory laws that do not have universal or eternal applications. Tithing for example is a preparatory law, and will be dissolved when the saints are prepared to become the Zion that has been prophesied of. The Word of Wisdom also has an application that is unique to our dispensation, and cannot be projected retroactively on those of the past. Even the law of Moses was given in relative terms to the Children of Israel, with the eventual plan to fulfill it. Other commandments, however, such as “Thou shalt have no other God before me,” are universal in their application, and have maintained constant throughout time. The mission of Jesus Christ also emphasized the universality and absolute nature of his atoning sacrifice for humanity.

When these nuggets of absolute truth are harvested through the fields of gospel study, they need to be cherished and shared. Recently, Elder Uchdorf stated:

“When we bear testimony, we declare the absolute truth of the gospel message. In a time when many perceive truth as relative, a declaration of absolute truth is not very popular, nor does it seem politically correct or opportune. Testimonies of things how “they really are” are bold, true, and vital because they have eternal consequences for mankind. Satan wouldn’t mind if we declared the message of our faith and gospel doctrine as negotiable according to circumstances.” (Ensign, Nov 2006, 37–39)

As we go on our quest to glean truth from all that we encounter, I hope that we will have the perspective and the foresight to realize when we come across something that truly illustrates “things as they really are, and…as they really will be.”