Some truths are 'most worth knowing,' Pres. Boyd K. Packer tells students

PROVO, UTAH — All people live on spiritual credit; Jesus Christ is the mediator who steps between the debtor and creditor, answering the plea for mercy while fulfilling the demand for justice. So taught President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday evening.

Focusing much of his talk on the Savior's atonement and the responsibility of individuals to accept its redemptive power through repentance, he addressed thousands of young adults during a Church Educational System devotional assembly held in the Marriott Center on the Brigham Young University campus in Provo. The devotional program was send by the Church's broadcast system to LDS meetinghouses throughout North America and elsewhere.

He encouraged the congregation to "listen up" as he shared some "truths worth knowing." Among those truths is that there is "the adversary" or the "father of all lies," and "the Redeemer," who is the great Mediator. Also, President Packer warned of "the scourge of pornography."

"I have had an unquenchable desire to bear testimony of the Father and of Jesus Christ," President Packer declared. "Christ said, 'If ye had known me, ye have known my Father also' (John 14:7). I have yearned to tell what I know about what Christ did and who the Father and Son are."

He said, "All truth is worth knowing. Some truths are more useful, but there are truths that are most worth knowing."

He spoke of "a puzzle" in the scriptures about justice and mercy, "two seemingly conflicting principles." He related a parable in modern language to illustrate how Christ's atonement makes it possible for individuals to be saved from sin if they do their part.

The parable tells of a man who, in order to acquire something he wanted very much, incurred a great debt although he had been warned about going into debt and particularly about the creditor. The debtor signed a contract with the lender and didn't worry about repaying the debt since the due date seemed a long time off. Eventually, the contract fell due and the creditor demanded payment in full. Only then did the debtor realize that his creditor not only had the power to repossess all that he owed but also the power to cast him into debtor's prison. The debtor pled for mercy, the creditor demanded justice.

"There they were: one meting out justice, the other pleading for mercy. Neither could prevail except at the expense of the other," President Packer said. " 'If you do not forgive the debt, there will be no mercy,' the debtor pleaded. 'If I do, there will be no justice,' was the reply.