. What does it mean to always remember our Savior? The Lord did not go into the kitchen and tell Martha to stop cooking and come listen. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Because of Gods plan and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be cleansed by the process of repentance. Why, oh, why couldnt the Lord have said, Youre absolutely right, Martha. 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. [JD19:78]. . [Matthew 11:2830]. We must also practice tolerance and respect toward others. I testify of Jesus Christ, whose light and Spirit guides all the children of God in helping the poor and distressed throughout the world.. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great (Doctrine and Covenants 64:33). The protection promised to the faithful servants of God is a reality today as it was in Bible times. Some time ago I attended an adult Sunday School class in a small town in Utah. 2022. On the broader question being widely agitated by the atheists of our day, I proclaim my knowledge that God lives! Elder Oaks is a graduate of Brigham Young University (1954) and of The University of Chicago Law School (1957). My treatment of truth and tolerance will invite you to consider and to teach these twin subjects because they are vital to the rising generation, in which you are the senior members. October 2022. . . . Check out our dallin h oaks selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. We misinterpret motives, do not know facts, and judge from wrong standards. In this way diversity increases the potential for conflict and requires us to be more thoughtful about the nature of tolerance. That is my Lord whose names you revile. (Improvement Era, May 1953, p. The best known of these is "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (3 Nephi 14:1, Matthew 7:1). I am devoted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Speaking at BYU a decade later, a Muslim scholar, Dr. Alwi Shihab, an Indonesian, elaborated that idea in these words: To tolerate something is to learn to live with it, even when you think it is wrong and downright evil. A gospel teacher, like the Master we serve, will concentrate entirely on those being taught. We are enriched by associations with different peoples, which remind us of the wonderful diversity of the children of God. I turn now to the obligations of truth and tolerance in our personal relations with associates who use profanity in our presence, who live with a partner out of wedlock, or who do not observe the Sabbath day appropriately. In this teaching Brigham Young was, typically, merely elaborating on a teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith, who said: While one portion of the human race is judging and condemning the other without mercy, the Great Parent of the universe looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 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. I am not to blame for what happened to me as a child. The Law of The Big Mo (#16) The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Coronavirus: la Chiesa di Ges Cristo dei Santi degli Ultimi Giorni Sta Aiutando Top 40 Best Quotes from The Gift of Imperfection by Bren Brown. President [Spencer W.] Kimball taught that the moment we begin preaching to others, our testimony is ended. Let us consider some principles or ingredients that lead to a righteous judgment.. . Oh Say, What Is Truth?Hymns,2002, no. Last update: May 2022. If you're aware of any talks available online that aren't listed here, please let me know. I may need to do something. That wise answer illustrates my point about stewardship in judging. It is a very unstable virtue.12. The Savior taught that one of the missions of the Comforter he would send would be to assist in judgment of the world by guiding the faithful into all truth (John 16:13; see also vv. We must stand up for truth, even while we practice tolerance and respect for beliefs and ideas different from our own and for the people who hold them. . This greater exposure to diversity both enriches our lives and complicates them. 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). Spiritual food is necessary for spiritual survival. S2:E1 "Helping the Poor an. The face of sin today often wears the mask of tolerance. leflore county warrant search; 2 3 of israel will be destroyed kjv; the cokeville miracle debunked . The Law of Timing (#19) The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Top 40 Quotes from The Coddling of the American Mind, Best 70 Quotes from Beyond Order by Jordan Peterson, The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek: Videos and 10 Great Quotes. 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. Did the Kinderhook Plates Really Fool Joseph Smith? He spoke of helping the poor and distressed not just what the Church is doing but what is being done worldwide. It is forever associated with the Twin Towers. The Law of Reproduction: (#13) The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by Top 50 Quotes From The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Top 23 Best Quotes from Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, these seemingly small things bring to pass great things. . We do not need to judge nearly so much as we think we do. Because of a short-term memory loss, this elderly sister innocently answered no. Today I will speak about gospel judging. On Sabbath observance, Latter-day Saints know that we are taught to observe the Sabbath day in a different way than many other Christians. While there are many things we must make judgments about, the sins of another or the state of our own souls in comparison to others seems not to be among them. Forgiveness is a companion principle to the commandment that in final judgments we judge not and in intermediate judgments we judge righteously. I will say no more about the tolerance or intolerance of nonbelievers. That is how we qualify for the promised blessings. 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). He also said religious freedom is the DNA of The Church of Jesus Christ. 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. 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. Because of His atoning experience in mortality, our Savior is able to comfort, heal, and strengthen all men and women everywhere, but I believe He does so only for those who seek Him and ask for His help. "Brother's Keeper". One of Martin Harriss greatest contributions to the Church, for which he should be honored for all time, was his financing the publication of the Book of Mormon. [Lord, I Would Follow Thee,Hymns,1985, no. President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency delivers the 2021 Joseph Smith Lecture in the Dome Room of the Rotunda at the University of Virginia on Nov. 12, 2021. Someone has said that you cannot slice cheese so fine that it doesnt have two sides. . Some Christians look on this as the time when individuals are assigned to heaven or hell. April 2022. The Church gives us opportunities to serve the Lord and our fellowmen. . Last months widespread rioting and pillaging in Britain and the scandalous, widespread cheating by teachers on state-mandated tests in elementary and middle schools in Atlanta, Georgia, have caused many to wonder whether we are losing the moral foundation Western countries have received from their Judeo-Christian heritage.3. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the extreme level, evil acts that used to be localized and covered up like a boil are now legalized and paraded like a banner. All of the humanitarian efforts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seek to follow the example of a righteous people described in the Book of Mormon: And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, and they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church (Alma 1:30). Tolerance is defined as a friendly and fair attitude toward unfamiliar opinions and practices or toward the persons who hold or practice them. In the quiet heart is hidden 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. Today and tomorrow would need to include two talks per day, then after that read one talk per day. First is the principle that the source of government power is the people. One judges a painting by the full view of the whole canvas; separate isolated square inches of colour are meaningless. The Holy Ghost will protect us against being deceived, but to realize that wonderful blessing we must always do the things necessary to retain that Spirit. He talked about "good, better and best " choices. That question is as penetrating today as when Jesus used it to confound the Pharisees almost two thousand years ago. 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. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not attempt to isolate its members from alternate voices. The desires we act on determine our changing, our achieving, and our becoming. It really is the answer. [Moroni 7:1214]. As John Adams declared: Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. 8746 (1319 August 2011): 14; Patrik Jonsson, Is the US a Nation of Liars? US News,The Christian Science Monitor,103, no. Letter to Dallin H. Oaks, 14 May 1998. Iassure you that my message is true. First,all persons are brothers and sisters under God, taught within their various religions to love and do good to one another. Angels will stand with us, and He will send His Holy Spirit to guide us. We are to live in the world but not be of the world. 272. 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. Our Savior also taught that His followers will have tribulation in the world, that their numbers and dominions will be small (see 1 Nephi 14:12), and that they will be hated because they are not of the world (John 17:14). . In fact, one of her children visited her at least daily, and all of them helped her in many ways. In a time when sovereign power was universally assumed to come from the divine right of kings or from military power, attributing sovereign power to the people was revolutionary. May we have his love. The bishop answered, You do nothing. The Lord acknowledges Marthas care: Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things (v. 41). I am waiting further evidence. [Luke 10:4042]. On August 25, 2000, he married Kristen M. McMain in the Salt Lake Temple. Some of these intermediate judgments are surely among those the Savior referred to when he taught that the weightier matters of the law include judgment (Matthew 23:23). Her 1986 memoir, Goodbye, I Love You, is considered a landmark in discussions of homosexuality and Mormonism. Since mortals cannot suppose that they will be acting as final judges at that future, sacred time, why did the Savior command that we not judge final judgments? What Was Brigham Youngs Swift Pony Express? That is a wise judgment of a situation, not a person. This belief system can tolerate almost any behavior and almost any persons. From all of this we see that final judgment is the Lords and that mortals must refrain from judging any human being in the final sense of concluding or proclaiming that they are irretrievably bound for hell or have lost all hope of exaltation. Would it have hurt Mary to have joined us in serving, then we all could have sat down to hear the Lord together? S2:E2 "Jesus Christ is the Strengt. . When we do thisand there is great temptation to do sowe hurt ourselves and the person we pretend to judge. . I have chosen to speak about truth because teachers in schools, colleges, and universities are teaching and practicing relative morality. Sometimes urgent circumstances require us to make preliminary judgments before we can get all of the facts we desire for our decision making. . Letter to Dallin H. Oaks, 22 December 1987. 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 loving Heavenly Father gives us those feelings to impel us to help His children. [Mosiah 26:29, 32]. The Savior gave this same teaching on another occasion, when he said to the Pharisees, And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world (John 12:47). . . 3740]. Perfect love is charity. by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Subscribe To Our Newsletter. Collection: Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Redeemer, BYU Speeches If you have doubts about this, or if you have questions about how to apply these principles in your own life, I urge you to seek guidance from the same source. I have spoken to you as one of those watchmen on the subject the Spirit has assigned me. Many areas of the law are based on Judeo-Christian morality and have been for centuries. Our relationship to God and the purpose of earth life are explained in terms of the family. Often the command to forgive (see D&C 64:10) seems almost more than one can bear, but this eternal principle can bring lasting peace. I am loyal to the chosen servants of the Lord, whom I sustain with all my heart. If we apply unrighteous standards, our judgment will be unrighteous. Two hypotheticals illustrate this principle: 1. Of course, teaching efforts only bear fruit through the agency of others, so they must always be done with love, patience, and persuasion. No sect or religious denomination in the world possesses a single principle of truth that we do not accept or that we will reject. How can I keep my covenant to stand as a witness and not offend these people?13. [Mosiah 4:1718, 22]. Second, a righteous judgment will be guided by the Spirit of the Lord, not by anger, revenge, jealousy, or self-interest. November 04, 2022. . 1015]. 46:19. To this day I am thankful that both of us were spared the embarrassment that might have occurred had I given vent to a judgment made without knowing the facts. (See John 18:3738.). This is a harder question for those who affirm the existence of God and absolute truth than for those who believe in moral relativism. He can make the judgments and the punishments. As believers, we must always speak with love and show patience, understanding, and compassion toward our adversaries. Dec 2015 A Savior Is Born Ensign. Throughout his life he has been exemplary in reaching out and working with the members and leaders of other faiths in cooperative efforts on matters of common interest and in the Christian fellowship and concern that have no denominational boundaries.16. a watchman upon the tower, who will [see] the enemy while he [is] yet afar off and give warning to save the vineyard from the hands of the destroyer (D&C 101:45, 54). Beyond that, we should remember the Saviors teaching that we should avoid contention (see 3 Nephi 11:2930) and that our example and our preaching should be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness (D&C 38:41). President Oaks said religious liberty faces serious challenges around the world, such as secularism, authoritarianism, political correctness and deteriorating attitudes toward religion. I will not be judged for what happened to me, but I will be judged by how I let it affect my life. We believe in absolute truth, including the existence of God and the right and wrong established by His commandments. What he did say is difficult to bear, but perhaps somewhat less difficult if we examine its context. On another occasion he said, Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment (John 7:24). Dallin H. Oaks opened the Sunday afternoon session of the April 3, 2022 general conference by giving a talk titled "Divine Love in the Father's Plan." This is the topic for the rest of the week. From these we magnify a mood into a character and an episode into a life. 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. Currently, he is the second most senior apostle by years of service and is . This is easy to see when it involves extreme behaviors that most believers and nonbelievers recognize as wrong or unacceptable. [Simon, I Have Somewhat to Say unto Thee, pp. Living together with mutual respect for one anothers differences is a challenge in todays world. 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. I will leave it in his hands. And as your life is in harmony, you gradually receive the Holy Ghost in a great measure (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. cannot be judged as dress-goodsby a yard or so of sample unrolled from a bolt on the counter. If there are more that I have missed, please let me know and I will add them to the list. Our civilization is based on morality and cannot exist without it. The following is a summary of what he said. This is the second time in two years that a leader of the Church was invited to speak at the summit. 7. In a BYU devotional address, Professor Catherine Corman Parry gave a memorable scriptural illustration of the consequences of judging by the wrong standards. Then he delivers the gentle but clear rebuke. . We also need focus to avoid what is harmful. [vv. His creations witness His existence, and His servants hear and proclaim His voice. . I am responsible for my actions and what I do with my knowledge. King Benjamin taught: Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just. . As President Thomas S. Monson taught us in the conference where he was sustained as our prophet: My young friends, be strong. Well all help, and by the way, that centerpiece looks lovely? 2730; emphasis in original]. President Thomas S. Monson has provided an excellent example of the practice of these twin virtues. 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. Even half-conscious, Elder [Spencer W.] Kimball recoiled and implored: Please! That is the spirit of the two-sided coin of truth and tolerance. I love the words in Susan Evans McClouds familiar hymn: Who am I to judge another . Trust Him." As our confidence in God goes up, our fear goes down. So informed, her visitor and others spoke criticisms of her children for neglecting their mother. 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 must also stand shoulder to shoulder with other believers to preserve and strengthen the freedom to advocate and practice our religious beliefs, whatever they are. 3. I begin with our personal conduct, including the teaching of our children. After the crowd who intended to stone her had departed, Jesus asked her about her accusers: Hath no man condemned thee? (John 8:10). Top 26 Quotes from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Top 41 Best Quotes from Daring Greatly by Bren Brown. I love that truth that although I need to evaluate situations . 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. Boyd K. Packer, Be Not Afraid (address at the Ogden Institute of Religion, 16 November 2008), 5; see also Bruce D. Porter, Defending the Family in a Troubled World,Ensign,June 2011, 1218. I believe that the scriptural command to judge not refers most clearly to this final judgment, as in the Book of Mormon declaration that man shall not . Whats Really in the Journal of Discourses? Copyright 2023 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. As modern transportation and communication have brought all of us into closer proximity to different peoples and different ideas, we have greater need for tolerance. What Did the Founding Fathers Think about the Bible? Login . It is well to worry about our moral foundation. We are cast as combatants in the war between truth and error. . . . The frank rebuttal to partisanship in President Dallin H. Oaks' recent talk on the U.S. Constitution has been driving conversation since he gave it on April 4 in Salt Lake City, Utah, during the 191st Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Conference on-the Go: Dallin H. Oaks, Helping the Poor and Distressed, One Minute Scripture Study: A Come Follow Me Podcast. . We are to beinthe world, but notofthe world. The question posed by the second commandment is What is our ultimate priority?. Now we experience such differences in television and the Internet, through travel, and often in personal interactions in our neighborhoods and the marketplace. His or her total concentration will be on the needs of the sheepthe good of the students. Elder Dallin H. Oaks speaks on Sunday, April 3, 2022, during The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Annual General Conference at the church Conference Center in Salt Lake City. President Oaks General Conference Talks (, President Dallin H. OaksPicture Quotes (, Read 9 President Oaks Quotes from the Past Year (. Today were diving into Helping the Poor and Distressed by Dallin H. Oaks.In case you want to follow along, here are the quotes were discussing today:Quote #1: Despite all that our Church does directly, most humanitarian service to the children of God worldwide is carried out by persons and organizations having no formal connection with our Church. Our tolerance and respect forothersand theirbeliefsdoes not cause us to abandon our commitment to the truths we understand and the covenants we have made. October 1985, Sunday morning session. These include covenants and ordinances and repentance when our choices are wrong. . I am a survivor of childhood physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. The Relief Society has great significance for every member of the Church. The purpose of the gospel is to transform common creatures into celestial citizens, and that requires change. Dallin H. Oaks. Please now consider the following sections of the Church Handbook of Instructions. For the goal of all human relationswhether they are religious, social, political, or economicought to be cooperation and mutual respect.9. 16. that which is good and of God to be of the devil. 2. President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, waves while holding his wife Sister Kristen Oaks' hand inside the Conference Center during the Saturday evening session of the 192nd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of love. One who understands that principle will not look upon his or her calling as giving or presenting a lesson, because that definition views teaching from the standpoint of the teacher, not the student. What Have Scholars Learned about Joseph Smith? 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). We can speak of principles rather than personalities.17. April 1985, Sunday afternoon session. They were innocent of neglect and should not have been judged on the basis of an inadequate knowledge of the facts. . But in such instances we can politely disagree without being disagreeable. As one who knows, I invite you to believe on my words. Ye shall know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:1516); and Go ye out from among the wicked (D&C 38:42). You cannot possess or use the coin of tolerance without being conscious of both sides. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. 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 Oaks teaches that God inspires many organizations and individuals to help those in need and that the Church is committed to work with others in that effort.The Church of Jesus Christ is committed to serving those in need, and it is also committed to cooperating with others in that effort.https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/18oaks 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. For example, it is one thing to ignore serious sins when they are private; it is quite another thing to be asked to sponsor or impliedly endorse them, such as by housing them in our own homes. On the foundation belief in right and wrong, there is an alarming contrast between the older and the younger generations. [William George Jordan, Sitting in the Seat of Judgment,The Crown of Individuality(New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1909), pp. We make better choices and decisions if we look at the alternatives and ponder where they will lead. Oh Say, What Is Truth?Hymns,2002, no. Remember that God loves His children and will surely do what is best for each of us. All rights reserved. We should seek the guidance of the Spirit in our decisions. First: Truth. crucified for the sins of the world, and that it is given to others to believe on their words (D&C 46:13, 14). Joseph G. Donders (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2005), 21013; Harold Kushner,Who Needs God(New York: Summit, 1989), 8384.