Updated on Feb 3, 2023

That which is good can be defined as that which has the most value, or positive value.

That which is evil can be defined as that which has less value, or negative value.

God is good because He offers us the most value.

Satan is evil because He offers us the least value.

Righteousness is good because it creates the most value.

Sin is evil because it reduces and even destroys value.

“For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil. Therefore, if a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him. And whosoever doeth this must receive his wages of him; therefore, for his wages he receiveth death, as to things pertaining unto righteousness, being dead unto all good works.”[1]

“And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me.  I am the same that leadeth men to all good…”[2]

“Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God… [and] that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. …and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.”[3]

When we sin, we miss the mark by deviating from the path that leads to what is best.

When we do good by following God, we receive and impart to others the best value.

The scale or gradient between good and evil is likewise based on value. That which offers the most value is at the top of the positive value gradient. That which offers the least value is at the bottom of the negative value gradient.

The value of the choices we have available can all be found somewhere along this gradient.

As our abilities increase, this gradient widens and increases. As our power to do good and evil increases, our innate goodness increases or decreases based on the value of the choices we make.

Good and evil are not binary. There is no master list of what is good or evil. There is no master list of what is considered righteousness or sin. But in a broad sense, certain things can categorically be defined as good or evil. Hence, we have the Ten Commandments—a list of dos and don’ts. Loving God is good. Murder is bad. Loving God offers great value. Murder destroys value. But in real life it often is not that simple.

How you love is very important. What might be argued as a loving act could easily do great damage. Similarly, what might be viewed as a heartless or mean-spirited act might actually offer the best value for everyone concerned.

How you worship God is very important. How many truly horrific deeds have been done as an expression of worshiping God? Similarly, how often have God’s prophets and servants been accused of being evil and of the devil?

Honoring a parent or spouse is generally considered a good thing; but so often how we do it is not.

When we view our choices through the lens of value, creating value, and being able to offer value and benefit to others, good and evil are suddenly redefined in ways offering far better clarity of understanding. This can, however, blow up in your face when you arrogantly think you know what is best for others, or when you make a value judgement which is inaccurate. Fortunately, there exist easily learned principles and rules of wisdom to help mitigate these mistakes.

To begin with, the light of conscience and the discerning light of the Holy Spirit of God should be used in helping to discern between good and evil, or best value contrasted with lesser value. But it is often not that easy. When we routinely ignore these promptings, we gradually become calloused to them. Additionally, God requires that ultimately, we learn to discern for ourselves by experience and by virtue of the intelligence we must receive. We need to learn and understand the difference between good and evil in addition to being prompted in the right direction. We need to learn and understand what exactly is at stake. As our understanding is clarified and increases, our propensity in doing good also increases.

It is far easier to do good when the benefit is more readily understood. This is why we are implored to read and study the scriptures. The holy scriptures explain principles and explain benefits. As we focus on these principles and teachings, and as we learn to better understand the benefits and blessings that following these teachings bring, this focus becomes our reality. Our focus determines our reality. As we focus on Christ’s goodness, His goodness literally becomes our reality. As His goodness becomes our reality, we will readily make those choices necessary to actuate His goodness into our lives.

For value judgement, there is a cost-benefit analysis. Learning to discern and judge good and evil is a matter of accurate cost-benefit analysis. It is a matter of spiritual and mental analytical deduction. This might seem like an academically contrived perspective, but I assure you that this is precisely how God views this. The difference is that God knows everything while we know comparatively nothing. So, the little we do know needs to count for a lot!

It is no accident that our human minds are so finite and so limited. For most of us, filling our minds with facts and figures and information is often exceedingly difficult. We are not here to download into our minds libraries of information. We are here to learn principles. We are here to learn behavior. We are here to learn trust and faith in God. We are here to increase in light, understanding, and that functional intelligence which promotes goodness.

Again, that which is good can be defined as that which has the most value. We are here to learn to be good even as God is good.

Jesus said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”[4]  Jesus invites us to become perfect, even as our Father in Heaven is perfect. Perhaps we should start by learning what is good.

As we learn what is good and to do good, we need to first start where we are at. A good next step for me will invariably be different than what might be a good next step for you. Similarly, what might be relatively good for you might be relatively bad for me. We are all in very different places in terms of our understandings, development, and abilities. This means that the good we should be doing will be very different for each of us. This is one reason why we should try very hard not to be critical or judgmental of others.

All God asks is that we each be reaching to do the very best good we can, and by so doing, become as good as we can. Why? Because this is what offers everyone the very best value.

Of what value is Jesus Christ? Of what value is Satan? Who do we want to be like? The choice is ours.

I will say that the good we can each achieve can dramatically increase in a surprisingly short amount of time. It is phenomenal and amazing what miracles God can work within us when we offer him our hearts and willing minds. It can be like night and day. Even the most abased reprobate can become a saint in a surprisingly short amount of time—in some cases perhaps just a few days or a few weeks. Once that might change of heart occurs, it can be truly amazing!

When the light bulb comes on, anything can happen! We all have the power within us to flip the switch. We can choose to believe. We can choose to have faith. We can choose to do desire good and to seek after what is good and what is best. We can choose to come to Jesus. We have all been given the power to choose.

“Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.”[5]

Talk about a massive dichotomy of value! Everlasting death or eternal life? Hmmm, let me see…?

Let us decide, cheerfully. Deciding what is good and best aught to be an easy and cheerful thing!

“Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; 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.”[6]

There is no way around it. We are all in the middle of a test. Making choices is inevitable. One cannot choose not to make a choice here. We must all choose.

Ever since Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, we have all been given the power to know good from evil; both in terms of morality and in terms of value. It is in our best interest to enhance that power. Sharpen it. Refine it. Fuel it. Give it added torque, thrust, and velocity. Give it precision and calculated effect. Study. Learn. Practice. Grow. Learn to truly be good!

This mortal life presents itself as an infinite opportunity with the possibility of infinite positive value and rewards. If we fail to recognize and capitalize on this terrific gift and opportunity, then we are really missing out! Part of my purpose in writing is to help myself and others see, recognize, and understand this opportunity.

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[1] Book of Mormon | Alma 5:40 – 42

[2] Book of Mormon | Ether 4:12

[3] Book of Mormon | Moroni 7:12 – 13

[4] Matthew 5:48

[5] Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 10:23

[6] Book of Mormon | Alma 29:5

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