In the movie The Matrix there is a scene where the protagonist, Neo, is offered two pills, a blue one or a red one. It is explained that if he takes the blue pill he will go back into the matrix of the computer program and continue to be a virtual entity, not knowing what is outside, not understanding his own physical reality. However, if he takes the red pill, he will know the truth of all that is outside the simulation. This is analogous to our lives on earth. We are in a state of probation, a temporary state of time and have no clue what exists outside of the physical Universe. The world and all we see, feel, hear, taste and smell are in a “matrix” of sorts where we live out our lives oblivious to the reality that is all around us. The way we know this is because everything is temporary: the sun, the earth, the stars, our lives, the lives of others, the animals, plants, and everything we build and everything we know will go away and cease to exist.
All good things must come to an end
There is an end to the things of the world. A beautiful day will end. Time with my children will end as they grow up. All my relationships will end. My money will not hold out forever. My job will end; I will retire and do something else. I will die and leave everything behind. Nothing in the world is forever. I must accept the temporary nature of all things. I hate that! I don’t like the concept of “temporal” or the transient nature of life. Yet, I took the blue pill.
Taking the blue pill is believing that the things of the world are real, embedding myself in the temporary pleasures of the flesh in a fantasy of finding fulfillment in the things of the world. Every time I use anything physical to feel better, I am taking the blue pill; all that the world has to offer keeps me in the “matrix” of the world. It is a ball-and-chain I wear, and drag around everywhere I go. I am stuck, imprisoned, and helpless against my physical needs because I have taken the blue pill, which consists of whatever I do that makes me believe the fantasy.
- Seeking money, lands, houses, power, business or "success"
- Eating for taste
- Trying to feel better with drugs, caffeine, or alcohol
- Any extramarital sex, including masturbation, or pornography
- Looking for stimulation in dances, parties, events, or amusements
- Movies, games, and other media
The comforts and temptations of the world require continual replenishment, and can never satisfy for long. When I am hungry, and eat a big meal I am satisfied for only a few hours, after which I am hungry again -- as if I had never eaten. So I eat again, and, again, I am satisfied for a few hours, but then I get hungry again, and need to find more food. Everything of the world is like that: some is never enough, I need more. However, the problem is that more does not satisfy for long. It seems like more would be better, but it makes things worse. More drugs do damage. More food causes illness. More alcohol causes liver disease and a host of social problems. More sex is less satisfying. More of anything can be too much, doing harm. It’s impossible! Like Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, “I can’t get no satisfaction!”
Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.
2 Nephi 9:51
The reason God tells us not to indulge in buying temporary stuff, or anything of the world is because we might find something in the world we want, that brings temporary satisfaction. We may find that we need it. That need is a bond that keeps us in the world and prevents us from coming out and knowing truth, or the reality that is outside. Finding temporary relief from loneliness, hunger, thirst, or pain is taking the blue pill. The blue pill keeps us in the “matrix” of the world.
Taking the red pill
On the other hand, the spiritual things of eternity are not plagued by this issue. With the things of the world, more is less, meaning as I get more my life is worse, but with the things of God more is better -- my life improves as I get more. There is no end to how much more you can have to gain improvement. More light is always better, and satisfying for eternity. More joy is fulfilling forever. More knowledge improves my existence forever. More love increases my happiness forever. More faith is always better than less. More hope increases my existence. More gifts of the Spirit are better than less. All that is spiritually fulfilling can have eternal increase.
This is the good of being good -- it’s always good, and lasts forever. It is fulfilling. Fullness is forever. It is being complete, whole, or perfect. It is being filled with peace, joy, happiness, love, and power. The things of the world no longer have any allure. They are meaningless. I have real fulfillment. I have what I really want, what will give me my dreams -- my real dreams -- forever. My dreams will not come to an end. It remains good -- always. God doesn't take away our pleasures in life to make us miserable, but rather so we can have permanent fulfillment.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
John 15:11
The simple answer of how to “take the red pill” is to disbelieve the things of the world. It is to reject everything you know, everything you feel, and everything you see that is not permanent. Banish everything that is temporary. Let go of all you want, need, and desire that is of the world, that does not permanently fill a need. Refuse to live in a fantasy world. Neo had to learn to disbelieve in the world of the Matrix. He had to reject the bullets that went through his virtual body. He needed to understand that his experiences in the Matrix were not reality. Eat the bitter herbs. Drink the bitter cup. Eschew all that is temporal. In other words, take all the fun out of life, leave all the “blue pill” things, and seek for permanent things instead:
- Knowledge, truth, and intelligence
- Wisdom
- Charity
- Faith
- Hope
- Family and other relationships
- Love
- Mercy
- Grace
Knowing God opens up a whole new world of finally finding satisfaction. God takes away our pleasures in life so we can get beyond the temporary things that bind us to “the matrix” and see reality so we can have real fulfillment -- eternally.
Satisfying hunger -- All the spiritual food you want. Get fat. Eat a feast, continually. You never feel like you have over-eaten, but always feel satisfied. The food of the Spirit never goes away, you will never be hungry, but will have all you want, and so much more.
...feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.
2 Nephi 9:51
Eternal Sweetness -- what is sweet that continues to be sweet and lasts forever is the love of God. This is so much better than an “Everlasting Gobstopper.” It doesn’t just taste sweet, it also fills the soul -- forever.
And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted.
1 Nephi 8:11
Satisfy thirst forever -- Those who thirst for the word of God will be given all they desire, and more. They will never thirst again.
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
John 4:13-14
Riches and wealth beyond measure -- Those who have the riches of eternity always have enough. Their riches are not transient. They own everything, including worlds without number. The wealth that God gives is forever.
And if ye seek the riches which it is the will of the Father to give unto you, ye shall be the richest of all people, for ye shall have the riches of eternity;
Doctrine and Covenants 38:39
Beauty that lasts -- To be beautiful forever is to be holy. Those who do the will of the Lord are always beautiful.
For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments.
Doctrine and Covenants 82:14
Endless love -- Having a connection with God satisfies the deepest holes in the heart. He makes a connection that both fills completely and lasts forever. There is no loneliness at all. The love of God is both filling and fulfilling, forever.
...ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God,
Mosiah 4:12
Complete Knowledge -- Those who know God know all things, comprehending everything that exists from every angle, where no part of it a mystery. These are truly filled with knowledge forever. Once something is known, there is no going back to ignorance.
And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:67
Unlimited power -- The righteous are given the power of God. They can do all things in Him. There is power in knowing God, the power that created the Universe and all things in it. Access to this power is not limited, it does not end, it is forever and ever.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13
Glory and Honor -- People want to be honored by others. Glory is the honor other independent beings give to others, to listen and obey. This is not just having your fifteen minutes of fame, but rather it is forever and ever.
I will bear him up as on eagles’ wings; and he shall beget glory and honor to himself and unto my name.
Doctrine and Covenants 124:18
Ultimately, the “red pill” is knowing God, including Jesus.
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
John 17:3
Knowing God gives permanent satisfaction, peace, joy and happiness. The Lord has provided for His children, and given us everything we need to find eternal satisfaction. Don’t take the blue pill. Don’t take the easy path. Don’t stay in the fantasy. Take the red pill and know the truth. The beginning is hard, giving up the things of the world. Neo had to die in The Matrix so he could live in reality. Likewise, we all must die, as exemplified by Jesus, and our own baptism. We die in the world so we can live in reality having permanent fulfillment and freedom. The struggle is temporary, but the reward is endless.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:32
