Its approach, as counseled by the Prophet Joseph Smith, is to teach correct principles and then leave its members to govern themselves by personal choices. There may be situations, there will be situations, where, with serious moral issues involved, we cannot bend on matters of principle. But our obligation to truth has its own set of requirements and its own set of blessings. . That question is as penetrating today as when Jesus used it to confound the Pharisees almost two thousand years ago. Consequently, we should be alert to honor the good we should see in all people and in many opinions and practices that differ from our own. Ye shall know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:1516); and Go ye out from among the wicked (D&C 38:42). By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. The law of tithing is not a remote Old Testament practice, but a commandment directly from the Savior to the people of our day. He has an eye trained for the imperfections, the weaknesses. Through the prophet Moses the Lord commanded Israel, Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour (Leviticus 19:15). I close with this assurance and this testimony: The Bible teaches that one of the functions of a prophet is to be a watchman to warn Israel (see Ezekiel 3:17; 33:7). Third,believers should not be deterred by the familiar charge that they are trying to legislate morality. President Oaks gives a powerful talk about service, and all of the amazing good works going on around the world. What Was Brigham Youngs Swift Pony Express? A Relief Society worker visiting a sister in her ward asked whether the womans married children ever visited her. I am very t`hankful that it is not our province . He is a native of Provo, Utah (born . Oh Say, What Is Truth?Hymns,2002, no. 3 Apr 2016 Opposition in All Things General . What is tolerance, when does it apply, and when does it not apply? Several times during the hour, I was tempted to ask them to take their conversation outside if they felt it was so urgentbut fortunately something kept me from giving vent to my feelings. [Luke 10:4042]. Top 11 Best Quotes From The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, by GamblingMorally Wrong and Politically Unwise (, Education Week devotional (unavailable) June 8, 2001. If the cohabitation does involve us personally, we should be governed by our duty to truth. We should all be edified and strengthened by this example of speaking both tolerance and truth: kindness in the communication, but firmness in the truth. Like a sword, sharp and powerful, it uncovers what is hidden, divides truth from error, and goes to the heart of religious belief. What Did the Founding Fathers Think about the Bible? The following is a summary of what he said. In contrast to forbidding mortals to make final judgments, the scriptures require mortals to make what I will call intermediate judgments. These judgments are essential to the exercise of personal moral agency. Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice but a continuous commitment and way of life that applies at all times and in all places. President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, opened Conference by answering the question, "What does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members give . The opposite of joy is misery. We would even apply the wrong standards. that ye do not judge . To lighten the load of the bishopric, auxiliary presidencies and Melchizedek Priesthood quorum presidencies and group leaders need to exercise initiative and fully function in the great responsibilities of their callings. As believers, we should also frame our arguments and positions in ways that contribute to the reasoned discussion and accommodation that are essential to democratic government in a pluralistic society. See Riots in Britain: Anarchy in the UK, Leaders,The Economist,400, no. First,when believers in Jesus Christ take their views of truth into the public square, they must seek the inspiration of the Lord to be selective and wise in choosing which true principles they seek to promote by law or executive action. . . He is the way and He is the light because His teachings light our path in mortal life and show us the way back to the Father. If given in the right way and for the right reasons, that service will reward us beyond anything we have given. Includes a page for each General Conference talk with reflection questions, a place for notes, and a learning style study idea (unique for each talk). Marthas self-importance, expressed through her judgment of her sister, occasioned the Lords rebuke, not her busyness with the meal. October 1985, Sunday morning session. Russell M. Nelson Dallin H. Oaks Henry B. Eyring Also implicated due to his historic position as Presiding Bishop is Gary E. Stevenson. I am speaking to an audience of Latter-day Saints who believe in God and in absolute truth. The question posed by the second commandment is What is our ultimate priority?. If a particular person has been arrested for child sexual abuse and is free on bail awaiting trial on his guilt or innocence, will you trust him to tend your children while you take a weekend trip? We should be ruled by the demands of truth. Jointly published by the Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church. There is one qualification to this principle that we should not judge people without an adequate knowledge of the facts. Jointly published by the Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church. The guilty parties were not hard to spot because they continued whispering all through the class. Some time ago I attended an adult Sunday School class in a small town in Utah. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Come, Follow Me 2023: New Testament Resources. That is the spirit of the two-sided coin of truth and tolerance. President Oaks and his late wife, Sister June Dixon Oaks, are the parents of six children. 320.). by Giuseppe Martinengo | Sep 11, 2019 | All Talks | 0 comments. I have felt impressed to speak this evening about another set of twins, the twin ideas of Truth and Tolerance. Because of Gods plan and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be cleansed by the process of repentance. That is athirdabsolute truth: We do not abandon the truth and our covenants. That approach to differences will yield tolerance and also respect. It is well to worry about our moral foundation. Most people study character as a proofreader pores over a great poem: his ears are dulled to the majesty and music of the lines, his eyes are darkened to the magic imagination of the genius of the author; that proofreader is busy watching for an inverted comma, a misspacing, or a wrong font letter. Well all help, and by the way, that centerpiece looks lovely? About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. Josephs candor about his shortcomings is evident in the fact that one of the first revelations he recorded in writing and published to the world was a crushing rebuke he received from the Lord. Another such circumstance was described in anEnsignarticle by BYU professor Arthur R. Bassett: I was troubled when one person whispered to another all through the opening prayer. Satan says we are not. When we speak every man truth with his neighbour (Ephesians 4:25), and when we [speak] the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) as the Apostle Paul taught, we are acting as servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, doing His work. . And we must also acquire the discretion that God exercises in being able to look into futurity, and to ascertain and know the results of our acts away in the future, even in eternity, before we will be capable of judging. By falling short of righteous standards, we place ourselves in jeopardy of being judged by incorrect or unrighteous standards ourselves. Iassure you that my message is true. . Eric Rassbach, quoted in William McGurn, Religion and the Cult of Tolerance,The Wall Street Journal,16 August 2011, A11. 1015]. Reverend Dr. Andrew Teal on Finding Christ Through Suffering, Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution, Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Loving Others and Living with Differences, Priesthood Authority in the Family and the Church. do not doubt the overriding importance of listening to the Lord,[but]does the listening have to be done during dinner preparations? . As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I seek to help you make right choices in a world that is increasingly polarized between belief and disbelief, between good and evil. . April 2022. Our duty to truth requires us to seek relief from some behavior that is wrong. Top 26 Quotes from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Top 41 Best Quotes from Daring Greatly by Bren Brown. S2:E2 "Jesus Christ is the Strengt. . Are we our brothers keepers? bid her therefore that she help me. . As was wisely taught in a BYU devotional, The Lord does not grade on a curve. He will judge us in terms of qualities, not quotas (in Janet G. Lee, The Lord Doesnt Grade on a Curve,BYU 199495 Devotional and Fireside Speeches[Provo: Brigham Young University, 1995], pp. When we do thisand there is great temptation to do sowe hurt ourselves and the person we pretend to judge. Persons who dont believe in God or in absolute truth in moral matters can see themselves as the most tolerant of persons. Search for people biographies, memoirs and profession matching the query: Dallin H. Oaks. Unfortunately, some who believe in moral relativism seem to have difficulty tolerating those who insist that there is a God who should be respected and certain moral absolutes that should be observed. Another thoughtful LDS member wrote: In Mosiah 18:9 Alma tells us that when we are baptized we covenant to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in. . 1. While we must practice tolerance and respect forothers and theirbeliefs,including their constitutional freedom to explain and advocate their positions, we are not required to respect and tolerate wrongbehavior. . Also see, GamblingMorally Wrong and Politically Unwise (, Priesthood Authority in the Family and the Church, Loving Others and Living with Differences, Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution, Prophetic Announcements of Christs Birth, Stand Fast with Love in Proclaiming Truth, Going Forward with Religious Freedom and Nondiscrimination. It really is the answer. We may not live by bread alone, but Ive never known anyone to live without it. On one occasion the Savior chided the people, Judge ye not what is right? (Luke 12:57). . I will speak first of the final judgment. The New York Times, Wikipedia, Patheos, USA Today, NPR, Church News, LDS Living, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Bustle, Heavy, Slate, and more. What believers should do about this introduces the second of my twin subjects: Tolerance. . Yet we dare to judge our fellow man by single acts and words, misleading glimpses, and deceptive moments of special strain. President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke during the Saturday morning session of October 2022 general conference. In the words of President Joseph F. Smith: Cox announces free period products in all state buildings, Bill to remove state food tax also removes constitutional earmark for education, Jordin Sparks kicks off first in-person RootsTech since 2020. . . The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Someone has said that you cannot slice cheese so fine that it doesnt have two sides. We should not presume to exercise and act upon judgments that are outside our personal responsibilities. The Lord obviously did not justify the womans sin. 8, 11). President Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was invited to speak at the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit on July 20. I am devoted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. . . The change has come from inside memy attitude. Learn how your comment data is processed. (Boston: Little, Brown, 18501856), 9:229. Profanity is profoundly offensive to those who worship the God whose name is desecrated. There was a conference talk by Elder Dallin H Oaks a few years back about making good choices. As a Apostle with a unique legal background Elder Oaks has on occasion spoken both for the Church and to the Church. 2022. He has been an officer or member of the board of many business, educational, and charitable organizations. And whosoever will not repent of his sins the same shall not be numbered among my people. Those who seek out and use pornography forfeit the power of their priesthood. Ensign, Nov. 1998, 70-72 Dallin H. Oaks, "Priesthood Authority in the Family and the Church," Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 24-27 Richard G. Scott, "To Heal the Shattering Consequences of Abuse," Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 40-43 LDS Family Services courses Strengthening Marriage and Strengthening the Family Our relationship to God and the purpose of earth life are explained in terms of the family. For this purpose we must walk together on the same path in order to secure our freedom to pursue our separate ways when that is necessary according to our separate beliefs. Pursuing that principle, the author of theEnsignarticle writes: Somewhere along the journey of healing comes the essential task of forgiving. . President Dallin H. Oaks speaks at the 192nd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 1-2, 2022.President . President Oaks said religious liberty faces serious challenges around the world, such as secularism, authoritarianism, political correctness and deteriorating attitudes toward religion. President [Harold B.] Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. The Book of Mormon tells of the resurrected Lord visiting some of the people of the Americas. The Church of Jesus Christ is committed to serving those in need, and it is also committed to cooperating with others in that effort., With partners worldwide, the Church shares the common goal of relieving suffering. The Need for a Church. Subscribe To Our Newsletter. Our tolerance and respect forothersand theirbeliefsdoes not cause us to abandon our commitment to the truths we understand and the covenants we have made. Our own sins, no matter how few or seemingly insignificant, disqualify us as judges of other peoples sins. Apostles have the calling and ordination to be special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world (see D&C 107:23), but the duty to witness and testify of Christ at all times and in all places applies to every member of the Church who has received the testimony of the Holy Ghost. . The Savior also commanded individuals to be judges, both of circumstances and of other people. You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that. Of course, teaching efforts only bear fruit through the agency of others, so they must always be done with love, patience, and persuasion. . Dallin H. Oaks discusses the parable of the sower and warns of attitudes that prevent the word of God from growing in our hearts and bearing "fruit." Video Collections; Broadcast and Live Event Recordings; General Conference; April 2015; Saturday Morning Session April 2015; We meet on 9/11, the tenth anniversary of an event that has profoundly influenced our lives and thinking and will do so for many years to come. Oh Say, What Is Truth?Hymns,2002, no. . The fundamental scripture on the whole subject of not judging contains this warning: For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again (Matthew 7:2; see also 3 Nephi 14:2). October 2021. We are enriched by associations with different peoples, which remind us of the wonderful diversity of the children of God. Fourth,believers should not shrink from seeking laws to maintain public conditions or policies that assist them in practicing the requirements of their faith where those conditions or policies are also favorable to the public health, safety, or morals. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great (Doctrine and Covenants 64:33). President Oaks shared four suggestions for shouldering religious freedom: (1) recognize that all need each other and are subject to law, (2) urge religious tolerance, (3) let the world know the good that religion does and (4) unite and find common ground to defend and promote religious liberty. I testify of the power and blessings of the priesthood of God, available for His sons and daughters alike. Last update: May 2022. 7. Like many scriptures, this commandment has multiple meanings. . Letter to Dallin H. Oaks, 14 May 1998. The Book of Mormon teaches: For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain . on Dallin H. Oaks Quotes From Every General Conference, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Angel Moroni, Come Follow Me 2023: New Testament Resources. . That is how we qualify for the promised blessings. What future event or events could this covenant contemplate? In the balance between truth and tolerance, tolerance can be dominant where the behavior does not involve us personally. . He spoke of helping the poor and distressed not just what the Church is doing but what is being done worldwide. We can set and act upon high standards for ourselves or our homes without condemning those who do otherwise. We all remember how a prophet reacted from a hospital bed when an operating room attendant stumbled and cursed in his presence. The best known of these is "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (3 Nephi 14:1, Matthew 7:1). From time to time some diligent defenders deny this reality, such as the writer of a letter to the editor who insisted that certain publicly reported conduct should be ignored because in this country you are innocent until you are proven guilty. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law is a vital rule to guide the conduct of a criminal trial, but it is not a valid restraint on personal decisions. As described by an attorney supporting a Lutheran school in a case now before the United States Supreme Court, the big concern is the ability of people of all faiths to work out their relationship with God and one another without the government looking over their shoulder.10That is why we need understanding and supportincludingyourunderstanding and supportwhen we must contend for religious freedom. In most cases this decision can depend on how directly we are personally affected by it. Many religious leaders teach the existence of God as the Ultimate Lawgiver, by whose action certain behavior is absolutely right and true and certain other behavior is absolutely wrong and untrue.6Bible and Book of Mormon prophets foresaw this time, when men would be lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:4) and, indeed, when men would deny God (see Jude 1:4; 2 Nephi 28:5; Moroni 7:17; D&C 29:22). President Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was invited to speak at the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit on July 20. I am loyal to the chosen servants of the Lord, whom I sustain with all my heart. But I can change the future. The philosophy of moral relativism, which holds that each person is free to choose for himself what is right and wrong, is becoming the unofficial creed for many in America and other Western nations. The following is a summary of what he said. This is that future occasion in which all of us will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged according to our works (see 1 Nephi 15:33, 3 Nephi 27:15, Mormon 3:20, D&C 19:3). . An apostle's responsibility is to be a special witness of Jesus Christ . As I have observed the judgments of presidents of the Church in matters of Church discipline, I have marveled at the care they have exercised to assure that justice is balanced with mercy, with loving concern for the consequences to innocent family membersborn and unbornas well as to the transgressors themselves. . (See D&C 20:77.) The Lord did not go into the kitchen and tell Martha to stop cooking and come listen. I will, therefore, limit myself to describing four paramount principles that should govern such an effort. Profanity used out of our presence by nonbelievers probably would not be an occasion for us to confront the offenders. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, center, and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, second from right, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, right, arrive for the women's session of the 192nd Annual General Conference in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on . A leavenyeastis hidden away in the larger mass until the whole is leavened, which means raised by its influence. If a person you have trusted with your property has been indicted for embezzlement, would you continue to leave him in charge of your life savings? The Saviors Golden Rule says we are. Forgiveness is a companion principle to the commandment that in final judgments we judge not and in intermediate judgments we judge righteously. . The protection promised to the faithful servants of God is a reality today as it was in Bible times. On the foundation belief in right and wrong, there is an alarming contrast between the older and the younger generations. The friend could read lips, but since I was discussingas I often dowith my back to the class, writing at the chalkboard and talking over my shoulder, my student had been translating for her friend, telling her what I was saying. Most of us are troubled by packed shopping centers and other commercial activities on the Sabbath. Angels will stand with us, and He will send His Holy Spirit to guide us. Some say that attending church meetings is not helping them. It is forever associated with the Twin Towers. Our civilization is based on morality and cannot exist without it. When she answered no, Jesus declared, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more (v. 11). 16. My dear young brothers and sisters, Kristen and I feel privileged to be with you on this significant occasion. Let us consider how to apply that example to some other behaviors. We are willing to receive all truth, from whatever source it may come; for truth will stand, truth will endure.2, The existence and nature of truth is one of the fundamental questions of mortal life. The Lord acknowledges Marthas care: Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things (v. 41). Divine Love in the Father's Plan. . Finally, the spirit of our balance of truth and tolerance is applied in these words of President Gordon B. Hinckley: Let us reach out to those in our community who are not of our faith. Faith is essential for healing by the powers of heaven. Some influential voices even question the extent to which our constitution should protect the free exercise of religion, including the right to practice and preach religious principles. When we understand our relationship to God, we also understand our relationship to one another. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? I have found that observance of the Sabbath is almost obsolete. Giving to those in need the poor and distressed is a principle in all Abrahamic religions, and in others as well. . I have chosen to heal myself and pass on to my children what I have learned. He was president of Brigham Young University from 1971 to 1980, and a justice of the Utah Supreme Court from 1980 until his resignation in 1984 to accept his calling to the apostleship. When He faced the woman taken in adultery, Jesus spoke the comforting words of tolerance: Neither do I condemn thee. Then, as He sent her away, He spoke the commanding words of truth: Go, and sin no more (John 8:11). Enigma Books Also published by Enigma Books Hitler's Table Talk: 1941-1944 In Stalin's Secret Service Hitler and Mussolini: The Secret Meetings The Jews in Fascist Italy: A History The Man Behind the Rosenbergs Roosevelt and Hopkins: An Intimate History Diary 1937-1943 (Galeazzo Ciano) Secret Affairs: FDR, Cordell Hull, and Sumner Welles Hitler and His Generals: Military Conferences . He is our Savior, and He reaches out to each of us with the timeless invitation to receive His peace by learning of Him and by walking in His way (see D&C 19:23): Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. May we have his love. Then, even as the parents take protective measures pertaining to a regrettable situation, they need to maintain loving relations and encourage improved conduct by the precious person. As one of our Apostles observed: God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of his great and marvelous work. I believe this commandment was given because we presume to make final judgments whenever we proclaim that any particular person is going to hell (or to heaven) for a particular act or as of a particular time. We know from these inspired words that even the most extreme acts of servicesuch as giving all of our goods to feed the poorprofit us nothing unless our service is motivated by the pure love of Christ. What can one person do to promote world peace? There is no middle ground. . Her 1986 memoir, Goodbye, I Love You, is considered a landmark in discussions of homosexuality and Mormonism. Whats Really in the Journal of Discourses? I left last weekend's LDS General Conference inspired and uplifted. Our obligation to tolerance means that none of these behaviorsor others we consider deviations from the truthshould ever cause us to react with hateful communications or unkind actions. We believe in absolute truth, including the existence of God and the right and wrong established by His commandments. 2021. I am waiting further evidence. Amen. Legal experts, including a former federal judge and a former Utah Supreme Court justice, examine the General Conference talk by Latter-day Saint apostle Dallin H. Oaks on the U.S. Constituiton.
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