Joseph Smith 
Jesus and the Woman Taken in Adultery
What are contraries? They are opposing concepts in line with what are more commonly called paradoxes. More importantly, why are they important? Their importance may derive from the fact that they enhance our understanding of many important concepts. But it’s important to realize that they are not merely opposites like good and evil, or the opposition in all things that I have discussed in a pervious post. Instead, they are positives that go together. Perhaps the best example in scripture are the concepts of justice and mercy. This is exemplified in the story of the woman caught in adultery.
John 8: 3-11. 3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote a few days before his martyrdom that, “Proving contraries makes truth manifest.” What did he mean by that? A path of understanding is revealed in Doctrine and Covenants 9:7 Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. 8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must astudy it out in your bmind; then you must cask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall eburn within you; therefore, you shall ffeel that it is right. From that we may realize that “proving contraries” means to study them. Ponder the meaning. And when you have given thought and reached a conclusion ask of God and it will be revealed to you. That is the meaning and substance of inspiration which the Savior described as, “Knock and it shall be opened.”, or “Ask and it shall be revealed.” That is how the truth becomes manifest to you. If you find upon studying, or proving, two concepts that they are opposites like good and bad, or pleasure and pain then come close to one and avoid the other. But if they complement each other; if both are necessary; and you have proven that out in your mind; and you ask of God; then you will feel it in your bosom. Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and proving contraries as a means of making truth manifest was revealed to him as spoken by Amos 3:7 http://Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. What God sees fit to reveal, we are wise to follow. In Deuteronomy 29:29 we read http://29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. When you study the scriptures you will encounter numerous contraries and by proving them truth will be revealed to you in ways that will bless your life and the lives of your loved ones. What God reveals will be yours forever.
For a more complete understanding of contraries there is a YouTube video by Professor Jared Halverson. thttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwM77tMiuQs&t=55s&ab_channel=JarenL.Davis It is short (3:22 minutes) and to the point in explaining this. I implore all to learn more about the truth in life by proving these contraries. Because if truth is knowledge of things as they are, as they were, and as they may become it is important for us to understand and comport with that truth to the best of our ability to know it. May that happen in your life and in mine is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.