Anatomy of Truth

"The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth." (Doctrine and Covenants 93:36)

TRUTH is different from REALITY

REALITY is what is, what was and what will be... It is things as they really are, in their state of actual existence.

TRUTH can be conveyed and received.

TRUTH, from the receiver's perspective, is the accurate PERCEPTION of things as they really were, are, and will be; and from the conveyor's perspective truth is the proper conveyance and PORTRAYAL of things as they really are.

Truth is an accurate REPRESENTATION of reality while falsehoods are a MISrepresentation of reality. They are on the same plane on different ends of the spectrum.
Therefore truth cannot be misrepresented, rather it is reality that is misrepresented.  Misrepresentations come in the form of lies and error, and comprise falsehoods. Falsehoods are not the absence of reality, but rather the twisting of perceptions or portrayals of reality. Lies are intentional. Error is not.

Reality exists outside of our perception of it. And truth is an accurate knowledge of things as they really are, were, and will be.

If we correctly perceive and portray reality then we embrace truth, while if we have an incorrect perception of reality or we incorrectly portray reality to others then we embrace falsehoods.

Truth is one of the great standards of growth, progress and power in the eternities. The more we embrace, the more powerful and like our father in heaven we become.

NOT ALL TRUTH IS OF EQUAL VALUE! That's right.  Not all truth is of equal value. There is a spectrum of truth ranging from inconsequential and minimal in reach on one end, to universally significant on the other end. So while some truths fall into the category of eternal and absolute, not all do.

Situational truth - these may be accurate to a specific situation but may not be accurate outside that specific occurrence (I am allergic to latex, I feel like pizza tonight)

Trivial truths - these may be accurate to reality but don't really matter. (My shirt is red and I have brown eyes)

Positional truth - these may be true from a limited perspective but not from another. (Marriage is good. Yes, a loving committed marriage is good, but an abusive, exploitative marriage is not.)

Temporal truths - apply in this phase of life but not necessarily beyond it. (You can typically live for 3 Days without water and up to 7 days without food. Grocery stores are only possible in an honest society.)

Scientific truths - measurable, repeatable facts about life in the universe. (Water is two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen)

Good Principles - trends and patterns that prove true in all cultures and time periods.  (relationships thrive on kindness, trust and open, frequent communication)

True doctrine - accurate teachings that are built on a foundation of noble truths. (Marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God)

Noble truths - universally true in all times and places, to all people. These are eternal absolutes.

- We are eternal beings.
- We are all children of Heavenly Parents.
- Eternity is meant to be shared.
- Embracing Truth and Light increase unity and power in eternity.

Why have I identified a distinction in truths? Some truths lend themselves to INFORMATION (which may prove productive, destructive, or simply distracting) , others to KNOWLEDGE (which expands and generally proves useful), and still others to WISDOM which lifts and enobles us as individuals and as the race of humankind.

My argument is that we should invest our time actively seeking truths that enoble and lift us individually and collectively.  I would put into this category good principles, true doctrines and noble truths. I believe these are the truths that Jesus was speaking of when he said, "ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)
Outside of these pursuits we should welcome knowledge that expands our understanding of things as they are, if it proves useful. I would place in this category temporal and scientific truth.
Lastly I would simply use good judgement to extract trivial, situational and positional truths from the sea of ideas in this world. but I wouldn't obsess or fret over their insignificance.

Thoughts?