A phrase I see a lot in discussions about faith, politics, social cohesion and more these days is ‘mental gymnastics’. I’ve used it myself more than once. It seems that whatever ‘side’ of an issue you’re on, the ‘other side’ must engage in mental gymnastics in order to justify their conclusions. It suggests that there is an obvious, plain explanation of the issue – an Occam’s Razor if you like – and that your position is precisely that one. Everyone else, on the other hand, is having to come up with convoluted, irrational arguments just justify their own position.

On the one hand, scriptures confirm that truth is something that should make sense and be, to some degree, rational. ‘Let us reason together,’ the Lord says in both Isaiah and the Doctrine and Covenants (see Isaiah 1:18, D&C 50:10-11).