The Restored Framework

This post might be one for rhetorical frameworks but I'll write it here anyway.

A couple of years ago while listening to General Conference, during Elder Robert D. Hales talk, the thought came to me that "the gospel is the framework for all other knowlegde". The gospel referenced here is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It makes claims that some others find offensive such as, "it is the ONLY true church", "it is the ONLY church that has priesthood authority to act in Gods name". Oh, and the one about the Book of Mormon being "the most correct book" just kills some people (but it nonetheless is). As exclusive as these claims are, and by the way, I believe them, I also believe that the restored gospel framework is also one of the most open frameworks than any other. The prophets and apostles teach that all truth no matter the source is part of the gospel. They teach that Socrates, Buddha, Confucius, Mohammad and others, though not prophets in the Old and New Testament sense of the word, were inspired by God to raise the moral and intellectual climates of their people. So I don't care if your Buddhist, Muslim, Baptist, athiest, agnostic, or of any other particular denomination, creed, or philosophical orientation, I safely assume that I can learn from you. I actually enjoy that there are a multiplicity of perspectives by which "reality" can be viewed. Though I am a dyed in the wool true blue believe it with all my heart member of the LDS faith (those Mormons), I also enjoy the intellectual nimbleness that other frameworks afford.