The origin of the word “good” comes from the Middle High German/Indo-European gatern meaning “to unite, to join, to fit,” as well as the Sanskrit gadhya meaning “what one clings to.” Goodness is all about oneness, togetherness, and binding (see “Origin of the English word GOOD”, edenics.net/english-word-origins.aspx?word=GOOD).
The scriptures offer many ways to know that something is good.
WHAT IS EVIL
The origin of the word “evil” comes from the Indo-European base upo meaning “up from under” or wep meaning “bad, evil.” It stems from several branches like [A] VaH meaning “to sin, to do wrong”; [A]VeN meaning “wickedness”; NaBHaL meaning “a vile person”; (N)aFaL meaning “to fall”; and APHayLaH meaning “darkness” (see “Origin of English word EVIL,” edenics.net/english-word-origins.aspx?word=EVIL).
In the Book of Mormon, Nephi explains certain evils that we should avoid (referencing the Ten Commandments):
"The Lord hath commanded that men should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain; that they should not envy; that they should not have malice; that they should not contend one with another; that they should not commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things; for whose doeth them shall perish.
"For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness" (2 Nephi 26:32-33).
HOW CAN WE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
1. LIGHT OF CHRIST
The way to judge between good and evil is as plain as the daylight is from the dark night. All people are given the “Spirit of Christ” or the “light of Christ” to discern between good and evil. In the Book of Mormon, Moroni explains that all that invites to do good and to persuade to believe in Christ is of God, therefore it is good. All that persuades to do evil and not believe in Christ and serve God is of the devil (see Moroni 7:15-17). If we “search diligently in the light of Christ” and “lay hold upon every good thing” we will know good from evil (Moroni 7:19).
How is this done? How do we “lay hold upon every good thing”? Moroni goes on to explain that it is through faith. Before the coming of Christ, prophets declared His coming, and God manifested many good things unto the children of men, which “good cometh of Christ; otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them” (Moroni 7:24). He explains that “by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ. And after that he came men also were saved by faith in his name . . . And [Christ] spake these words unto our fathers, saying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you” (Moroni 7:25-26). Those who have faith in Christ will “cleave unto every good thing” (Moroni7:28).
The Bible Dictionary defines the light of Christ as follows: “The light of Christ is just what the words should imply: enlightenment, knowledge, and an uplifting, ennobling, persevering influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus Christ” (Bible Dictionary, “Light of Christ,” 725; see also D&C 84:46-47).
2. RECOGNIZING THE SPIRIT
We recognize good by recognizing the Spirit. The following list includes feelings, thoughts, and impressions that the Holy Ghost gives:
- Gives feelings of love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, gentleness, faith, and hope
- Gives ideas in the mind, feelings in the heart
- Occupies the mind and presses on the feelings
- Helps scriptures have a strong effect
- Gives good feelings to teach if something is true
- Enlightens the mind
- Replaces darkness with light
- Strengthens the desire to avoid evil and obey the commandments
- Teaches truth and brings it to remembrance
- Gives feelings of peace and comfort
- Guides to truth and shows things to come
- Reveals truth
- Guides and protects from deception
- Glorifies and bears record of God the Father and Jesus Christ
- Guides the words of humble teachers
- Recognizes and corrects sin
- Gives gifts of the Spirit
- Helps to perceive or discern the thoughts of others
- Tells what to pray for
- Tells what to do
- Helps the righteous speak with power and authority
- Testifies of the truth
- Sanctifies and brings remission of sins
- Carries truth to the heart of the listener
- Enhances skills and abilities
- Constrains (impels forward) or restrains (holds back)
- Edifies both teacher and students
- Gives comfort
(See Preach My Gospel, 96-97.)
President Gordon B. Hinckley taught, “That’s the test, when all is said and done. Does it persuade one to do good, to rise, to stand tall, to do the right thing, to be kind, to be generous? Then it is of the Spirit of God. . . . If it invites to do good, it is of God. If it inviteth to do evil, it is of the devil. . . . And if you are doing the right thing and if you are living the right way, you will know in your heart what the Spirit is saying to you. You recognize the promptings of the Spirit by the fruits of the Spirit—that which enlighteneth, that which buildeth up, that which is positive and affirmative and uplifting and leads us to better thoughts and better words and better deeds is of the Spirit of God” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 260-61).
How do we recognize the Spirit? “The Spirit speaks quietly, through your feelings as well as your mind” (Preach My Gospel, 96). The voice of the Spirit is neither “loud” nor “harsh.” It is “not a voice of thunder, neither . . . voice of a great tumultuous noise.” It is a “still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper,” and it can “pierce to the very soul” and “cause [the heart] to burn” (3 Nephi 11:3; Helaman 5:30; D&C 85:6-7).
“The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all. . . . Occasionally it will press just firmly enough for us to pay heed. But most of the time, if we do not heed the gentle feeling, the Spirit will withdraw and wait until we come seeking and listening and say in our manner and expression, like Samuel of ancient times, ‘Speak [Lord], for thy servant heareth’ (1 Sam. 3:10).” (“The Candle of theLord,” Ensign, Jan. 1983, 53).
3. SATAN’S DECEPTION
Many people believe good and evil are relative. But God’s goodness is real and unchangeable. Satan desensitizes people to all that is good because the sin becomes the “norm” of society. All that is good and moral becomes “intolerant” or “overly conservative” in the eyes of the world. And the line between good and evil becomes blurred.
There are times when something may seem good but in reality are evil. Satan often imitates the thing of God, but his imitation are of poorer quality or less value. These false spiritual gifts are real, and Satan uses them with the intent to “overthrow” us (see D&C 50:1-9). We can determine whether something is from God or Satan by the Spirit of Christ (see Moroni 7:15-17). Whatever does not edify us is not of God, and is darkness. Something that edifies makes us feel uplifted and makes us want to improve; it comes from God and makes us want to follow Christ and be better people. Things that are from Satan have a bad influence and try to lead us to disobey the commandments. “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day“ (D&C 50:23-24).
If we are having difficulty knowing if something is from God, the first thing we should do is ask God, “who giveth liberally” (D&C46:7). We are told in modern revelation that “if you behold a spirit manifested that you cannot understand, and you receive not that spirit, ye shall ask of the Father in the name of Jesus; and if he give not unto you that spirit, then you may know that it is not of God” (D&C 50:31). We can also talk to parents or trusted leaders.
(See “The Saints Are Taught to Recognize Good and Evil,” lds.org/manual/primary-5-doctrine-and-covenants-and-church-history/lesson-19-the-saints-are-taught-to-recognize-good-and-evil?lang=eng.)
To be sure we are not being deceived, we must earnestly seek the gifts of the Spirit for the intent to do good, not to “consume it upon our lusts” (see D&C 46:7-26).
AGENCY
- We can know something is good by comparing it to a seed (see Alma 32:28). If it is a good seed, and you don’t “cast it out by your unbelief . . . it will begin to swell within your breasts,” it will “enlarge [your] soul,” it will “enlighten [your] understanding,” and it will “be delicious to [you].” If the seed grows it is good, but if it does not grow it is not good (Alma 32:32).
- Whatever is light is good, because it is discernible (see Alma 32:35).
- “Goodness” can be described by the following terms as outlined in the thirteenth Article of Faith: “honest, true, chaste, benevolent, [or] virtuous. . . . If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
- That which is of God invites and entices us to do good continually. All that invites us to do good and to love and serve God is of God (see Moroni 7:13).
- The Spirit of God leads us to do good, meaning He leads us to do justly, to walk humbly, and to judge righteously. The Spirit will enlighten your mind and fill your soul with joy (see D&C 11:12).
WHAT IS EVIL
The origin of the word “evil” comes from the Indo-European base upo meaning “up from under” or wep meaning “bad, evil.” It stems from several branches like [A] VaH meaning “to sin, to do wrong”; [A]VeN meaning “wickedness”; NaBHaL meaning “a vile person”; (N)aFaL meaning “to fall”; and APHayLaH meaning “darkness” (see “Origin of English word EVIL,” edenics.net/english-word-origins.aspx?word=EVIL).
In the Book of Mormon, Nephi explains certain evils that we should avoid (referencing the Ten Commandments):
"The Lord hath commanded that men should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain; that they should not envy; that they should not have malice; that they should not contend one with another; that they should not commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things; for whose doeth them shall perish.
"For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness" (2 Nephi 26:32-33).
HOW CAN WE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
1. LIGHT OF CHRIST
The way to judge between good and evil is as plain as the daylight is from the dark night. All people are given the “Spirit of Christ” or the “light of Christ” to discern between good and evil. In the Book of Mormon, Moroni explains that all that invites to do good and to persuade to believe in Christ is of God, therefore it is good. All that persuades to do evil and not believe in Christ and serve God is of the devil (see Moroni 7:15-17). If we “search diligently in the light of Christ” and “lay hold upon every good thing” we will know good from evil (Moroni 7:19).
How is this done? How do we “lay hold upon every good thing”? Moroni goes on to explain that it is through faith. Before the coming of Christ, prophets declared His coming, and God manifested many good things unto the children of men, which “good cometh of Christ; otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them” (Moroni 7:24). He explains that “by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ. And after that he came men also were saved by faith in his name . . . And [Christ] spake these words unto our fathers, saying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you” (Moroni 7:25-26). Those who have faith in Christ will “cleave unto every good thing” (Moroni7:28).
The Bible Dictionary defines the light of Christ as follows: “The light of Christ is just what the words should imply: enlightenment, knowledge, and an uplifting, ennobling, persevering influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus Christ” (Bible Dictionary, “Light of Christ,” 725; see also D&C 84:46-47).
2. RECOGNIZING THE SPIRIT
We recognize good by recognizing the Spirit. The following list includes feelings, thoughts, and impressions that the Holy Ghost gives:
- Gives feelings of love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, gentleness, faith, and hope
- Gives ideas in the mind, feelings in the heart
- Occupies the mind and presses on the feelings
- Helps scriptures have a strong effect
- Gives good feelings to teach if something is true
- Enlightens the mind
- Replaces darkness with light
- Strengthens the desire to avoid evil and obey the commandments
- Teaches truth and brings it to remembrance
- Gives feelings of peace and comfort
- Guides to truth and shows things to come
- Reveals truth
- Guides and protects from deception
- Glorifies and bears record of God the Father and Jesus Christ
- Guides the words of humble teachers
- Recognizes and corrects sin
- Gives gifts of the Spirit
- Helps to perceive or discern the thoughts of others
- Tells what to pray for
- Tells what to do
- Helps the righteous speak with power and authority
- Testifies of the truth
- Sanctifies and brings remission of sins
- Carries truth to the heart of the listener
- Enhances skills and abilities
- Constrains (impels forward) or restrains (holds back)
- Edifies both teacher and students
- Gives comfort
(See Preach My Gospel, 96-97.)
President Gordon B. Hinckley taught, “That’s the test, when all is said and done. Does it persuade one to do good, to rise, to stand tall, to do the right thing, to be kind, to be generous? Then it is of the Spirit of God. . . . If it invites to do good, it is of God. If it inviteth to do evil, it is of the devil. . . . And if you are doing the right thing and if you are living the right way, you will know in your heart what the Spirit is saying to you. You recognize the promptings of the Spirit by the fruits of the Spirit—that which enlighteneth, that which buildeth up, that which is positive and affirmative and uplifting and leads us to better thoughts and better words and better deeds is of the Spirit of God” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 260-61).
How do we recognize the Spirit? “The Spirit speaks quietly, through your feelings as well as your mind” (Preach My Gospel, 96). The voice of the Spirit is neither “loud” nor “harsh.” It is “not a voice of thunder, neither . . . voice of a great tumultuous noise.” It is a “still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper,” and it can “pierce to the very soul” and “cause [the heart] to burn” (3 Nephi 11:3; Helaman 5:30; D&C 85:6-7).
“The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all. . . . Occasionally it will press just firmly enough for us to pay heed. But most of the time, if we do not heed the gentle feeling, the Spirit will withdraw and wait until we come seeking and listening and say in our manner and expression, like Samuel of ancient times, ‘Speak [Lord], for thy servant heareth’ (1 Sam. 3:10).” (“The Candle of theLord,” Ensign, Jan. 1983, 53).
3. SATAN’S DECEPTION
Many people believe good and evil are relative. But God’s goodness is real and unchangeable. Satan desensitizes people to all that is good because the sin becomes the “norm” of society. All that is good and moral becomes “intolerant” or “overly conservative” in the eyes of the world. And the line between good and evil becomes blurred.
There are times when something may seem good but in reality are evil. Satan often imitates the thing of God, but his imitation are of poorer quality or less value. These false spiritual gifts are real, and Satan uses them with the intent to “overthrow” us (see D&C 50:1-9). We can determine whether something is from God or Satan by the Spirit of Christ (see Moroni 7:15-17). Whatever does not edify us is not of God, and is darkness. Something that edifies makes us feel uplifted and makes us want to improve; it comes from God and makes us want to follow Christ and be better people. Things that are from Satan have a bad influence and try to lead us to disobey the commandments. “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day“ (D&C 50:23-24).
If we are having difficulty knowing if something is from God, the first thing we should do is ask God, “who giveth liberally” (D&C46:7). We are told in modern revelation that “if you behold a spirit manifested that you cannot understand, and you receive not that spirit, ye shall ask of the Father in the name of Jesus; and if he give not unto you that spirit, then you may know that it is not of God” (D&C 50:31). We can also talk to parents or trusted leaders.
(See “The Saints Are Taught to Recognize Good and Evil,” lds.org/manual/primary-5-doctrine-and-covenants-and-church-history/lesson-19-the-saints-are-taught-to-recognize-good-and-evil?lang=eng.)
To be sure we are not being deceived, we must earnestly seek the gifts of the Spirit for the intent to do good, not to “consume it upon our lusts” (see D&C 46:7-26).
AGENCY
1. ADAM AND EVE
One of the very first commandments Adam and Eve received was to not partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God gave them an option, allowing them to use their agency to choose whether or not they would obey this commandment. When they partook of the fruit, Satan told them they would become “as gods,” knowing good and evil (see Genisis 3:5). They would be able to know sorrow as well as joy. From this experience, we learn that to know good from evil is to have knowledge, to have our eyes opened (see Genesis 3:6).
If they had not partaken of the fruit, they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy or misery, doing no good or sin (see 2 Nephi 2:23).If they had not transgressed they would not have had children and would never have known good from evil. They would never understand the joy of redemption and eternal life which God gives unto the obedient (see Moses 5:11).
All of us are “conceived in sin,” which means as we grow up we naturally conceive sin in our hearts. This is that we might taste the bitter and know to prize the good (see Moses 6:55). God’s greatest gift to us is our agency, our freedom to choose good or evil. We are “redeemed from the fall” and are “free forever, knowing good from evil, to act for [ourselves] and not to be acted upon” (2 Nephi 2:26). We are given all that we need to make a fair choice. We are “free to choose liberty and eternal life [through Christ], or . . . captivity and death [through the devil]” (2 Nephi 2:27).
We receive what we desire. “He that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience” (Alma 29:5).
God placed His children on the earth for a testing period. With our knowledge of good and evil, He gave us time to learn, grow, and repent. On earth we are cut off from God’s presence because of Adam and Eve’s transgression, but we still have access to God’s power to help us discern between right and wrong. There are certain consequences for each of our choices, and God extends mercy and justice accordingly.
2. CHOOSING GOOD OVER EVIL
When we choose the right, we are blessed; when we sin we are punished. This is according to the eternal, unchanging laws of the plan of happiness. “Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul. Now, how could a man repent except he should sin? How could he sin if there was no law? How could there be a law save there was a punishment?” (Alma42:16-17).
Sin brings remorse of conscience. In the Book of Mormon, Alma explains that if there was no law given, people could choose to do things like murder and feel no remorse. “Men would not be afraid to sin. . . . “But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God” (Alma 42:20, 22).
There is an important principle that must be acknowledged when discussing good versus evil; that is the principle of agency. Every individual on earth has the ability to make choices, or to exercise agency. Elder Alvin A. Dyer spoke of this principle in his talk “The Nobility of Man in Choosing Goodover Evil." He said, “Without a knowledge of good and evil, the divine principle of agency would be ineffectual.” It is not possible to “indulge heavily in both evil and good things at the same time.” This goes back to the principle Christ taught that “no man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24).
One way to determine the difference between right and wrong is to observe the results of one’s actions. “Man is the sum result of what he thinks and does. Habit can become a monster to tarnish and destroy, yet proper behavioral traits can bring lasting joy and achievement. The effect that both good and bad habits have on our lives is all too real to be ignored. Bad habits that violate the commandments of physical health (D&C 89) and of moral behavior (D&C 121) . . . will threaten and destroy all opportunities for real happiness.” We can know good versus evil by the fruits of one’s actions.
Let us all learn to choose good over evil, to discern between right and wrong. “Choosing good over evil and right over wrong is the crowning achievement of life, and in so doing man becomes the masterpiece of the Creator and fulfills the basic purposes of his mortal probation. . . . The fusing of ritual and commandment with everyday living calls for the best that is in us, that by our agency we may feel the affected condition by choosing good rather than evil, thus not only glorifying ourselves but glorifying Him who has made all things possible.”
One of the very first commandments Adam and Eve received was to not partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God gave them an option, allowing them to use their agency to choose whether or not they would obey this commandment. When they partook of the fruit, Satan told them they would become “as gods,” knowing good and evil (see Genisis 3:5). They would be able to know sorrow as well as joy. From this experience, we learn that to know good from evil is to have knowledge, to have our eyes opened (see Genesis 3:6).
If they had not partaken of the fruit, they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy or misery, doing no good or sin (see 2 Nephi 2:23).If they had not transgressed they would not have had children and would never have known good from evil. They would never understand the joy of redemption and eternal life which God gives unto the obedient (see Moses 5:11).
All of us are “conceived in sin,” which means as we grow up we naturally conceive sin in our hearts. This is that we might taste the bitter and know to prize the good (see Moses 6:55). God’s greatest gift to us is our agency, our freedom to choose good or evil. We are “redeemed from the fall” and are “free forever, knowing good from evil, to act for [ourselves] and not to be acted upon” (2 Nephi 2:26). We are given all that we need to make a fair choice. We are “free to choose liberty and eternal life [through Christ], or . . . captivity and death [through the devil]” (2 Nephi 2:27).
We receive what we desire. “He that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience” (Alma 29:5).
God placed His children on the earth for a testing period. With our knowledge of good and evil, He gave us time to learn, grow, and repent. On earth we are cut off from God’s presence because of Adam and Eve’s transgression, but we still have access to God’s power to help us discern between right and wrong. There are certain consequences for each of our choices, and God extends mercy and justice accordingly.
2. CHOOSING GOOD OVER EVIL
When we choose the right, we are blessed; when we sin we are punished. This is according to the eternal, unchanging laws of the plan of happiness. “Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul. Now, how could a man repent except he should sin? How could he sin if there was no law? How could there be a law save there was a punishment?” (Alma42:16-17).
Sin brings remorse of conscience. In the Book of Mormon, Alma explains that if there was no law given, people could choose to do things like murder and feel no remorse. “Men would not be afraid to sin. . . . “But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God” (Alma 42:20, 22).
There is an important principle that must be acknowledged when discussing good versus evil; that is the principle of agency. Every individual on earth has the ability to make choices, or to exercise agency. Elder Alvin A. Dyer spoke of this principle in his talk “The Nobility of Man in Choosing Goodover Evil." He said, “Without a knowledge of good and evil, the divine principle of agency would be ineffectual.” It is not possible to “indulge heavily in both evil and good things at the same time.” This goes back to the principle Christ taught that “no man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24).
One way to determine the difference between right and wrong is to observe the results of one’s actions. “Man is the sum result of what he thinks and does. Habit can become a monster to tarnish and destroy, yet proper behavioral traits can bring lasting joy and achievement. The effect that both good and bad habits have on our lives is all too real to be ignored. Bad habits that violate the commandments of physical health (D&C 89) and of moral behavior (D&C 121) . . . will threaten and destroy all opportunities for real happiness.” We can know good versus evil by the fruits of one’s actions.
Let us all learn to choose good over evil, to discern between right and wrong. “Choosing good over evil and right over wrong is the crowning achievement of life, and in so doing man becomes the masterpiece of the Creator and fulfills the basic purposes of his mortal probation. . . . The fusing of ritual and commandment with everyday living calls for the best that is in us, that by our agency we may feel the affected condition by choosing good rather than evil, thus not only glorifying ourselves but glorifying Him who has made all things possible.”
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