The Objective Anchor: Finding Truth Beyond the Subjective Self

Sometimes, when we’re deep in the study, or perhaps right after a challenging missionary discussion, it feels like we’re wrestling with concepts so big they feel… unmoored. Like we’re trying to build a life structure on shifting sand.

It got me thinking this week after watching a conversation between Bishop Barron and Jordan Peterson. While the conversation covered a lot of ground—from the nature of belief to the appeal of the scriptures—one thread kept catching my attention: the concept of objective value.

As returned missionaries, we spend so much time learning to *share* the gospel. We learn the stories, the doctrines, the covenants. But what about the *foundation* of those stories? What gives the commandments and the Atonement their objective weight? Is it just the feeling of the Spirit, or is there something more robust anchoring it all?

Bishop Barron touched on this when he spoke about how people are drawn to the Bible—not just for comfort, but because it points toward something *outside* the self. He noted that when we hyper-subjectivize everything, when we let our values become purely matters of whim, the whole enterprise becomes questionable.

The Necessity of the Objective Anchor

This hit home for me. In our journey to be disciples, we learn that while personal revelation is sacred, the core truths of the gospel—the divinity of Jesus Christ, the reality of the Plan of Salvation—aren't just "what we feel today." They are objective realities given to us through prophets, sealed by revelation, and anchored in the eternal nature of God.

It’s a beautiful thing, really. To realize that the principles we teach, the covenants we make, and the standards we strive to uphold aren't just suggestions from a well-meaning friend; they are pointers toward an objective, divine standard. This is what makes the gospel so compelling—it offers a framework that transcends the shifting tides of cultural opinion.

I was struck by the idea that the gospel acts as a gateway drug to religion, leading us toward the ultimate Source of objective value: God. It’s a beautiful, almost academic way of saying that the gospel doesn't just *feel* right; it *is* right, because it connects us to the eternal.

This reminds me of our own work. When we are preparing for missions, or even just having a casual chat with an investigator, the goal isn't just to list facts. It's to point them toward the *objective* reality of the Restoration. We want them to move beyond just "what sounds good" to "what is true."

A Skill for the Field: Pointing to Objectivity

If you’re feeling the weight of these big concepts—the difference between subjective feeling and objective truth—here’s a small piece of missionary preparation for you this week. Next time you are in a missionary discussion, or even just talking with someone in the ward, try to gently pivot from discussing *feelings* to discussing *principles*. Instead of stopping at, "I feel like the scriptures help me," try guiding the conversation to, "What do the scriptures *teach* about perseverance?"

It takes practice, but it helps anchor the conversation in something eternal. It’s how we move from mere belief to discipleship.

If you want to practice this skill, I highly recommend diving into the social scripture study layer in LivingBook. Find a passage about covenants or eternal life and see how others have highlighted the objective promises within it. It’s a great way to sharpen that focus!

If you want to dig deeper into these kinds of philosophical underpinnings, check out the Iron Rod authors. I’ve been revisiting some of the material on the nature of man, and it really helps frame these discussions. If you’re looking for a good read, I’ve linked a few suggestions in the comments below!

Keep going disciples. Keep studying. Keep pointing them toward the Rock.

With love and anticipation for the work,

A Brother Disciple