Do not be deceived; behind that faade is heartache, unhappiness, and pain. 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. President Oaks General Conference Talks (, President Dallin H. OaksPicture Quotes (, Read 9 President Oaks Quotes from the Past Year (. 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. President Dallin H. Oaks: 'Helping the Poor and Distressed' Spiritual food is necessary for spiritual survival. There is one qualification to this principle that we should not judge people without an adequate knowledge of the facts. 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. . The doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. The face of sin today often wears the mask of tolerance. She died July 21, 1998. Profanity consistently used in our presence is an appropriate cause for us to communicate the fact that this is offensive to us. Today we're diving into "Helping the Poor and Distressed" by Dallin H. Oaks. 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. We should not add to the extremism that divides our society. We do not need to judge nearly so much as we think we do. Two hypotheticals illustrate this principle: 1. Along with the ascendancy of moral relativism, the United States is experiencing a disturbing reduction in overall public esteem for religion. [Arthur R. Bassett, Floods, Winds, and the Gates of Hell,Ensign,June 1991, p. 8]. 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. Even the Savior, during his mortal ministry, refrained from making final judgments. They should always remember the Saviors teaching that we bless them that curse [us], do good to them that hate [us], and pray for them which despitefully use [us], and persecute [us] (Matthew 5:44). 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. The scriptures give a specific caution against judging where we cannot know all the facts. [Luke 10:4042]. We can all pray for desire to help with this vital part of the work of salvation. Sometimes urgent circumstances require us to make preliminary judgments before we can get all of the facts we desire for our decision making. 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. See Riots in Britain: Anarchy in the UK, Leaders,The Economist,400, no. Church leaders are specifically commanded to judge. 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. 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. In other words, are we responsible to look after the well-being of our neighbors as we seek to earn our daily bread? 11. An apostle's responsibility is to be a special witness of Jesus Christ . . We frequently update our Latter-day Saint history content related to Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, the Book of Mormon, and Come Follow Me 2023. Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution - The Church of Jesus I testify of Jesus Christ, whose light and Spirit guides all the children of God in helping the poor and distressed throughout the world.. In the words of President Joseph F. Smith: We believe in all truth, no matter to what subject it may refer. [Teachings,p. 218]. The bishop answered, You do nothing. 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. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 272. I am waiting further evidence. . 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. Whats Really in the Journal of Discourses? [JD19:78]. 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. October 1985, Sunday morning session. 1015]. . They should cultivate loving family relationships so that family members will want to ask them for blessings. As Latter-day Saints use the words saved and salvation, there are at least six different meanings. He practiced law and taught law in Chicago. The fact that we only witness to our willingness suggests that something else must happen before we actually take that sacred name upon us in the most important sense. 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 . Now we experience such differences in television and the Internet, through travel, and often in personal interactions in our neighborhoods and the marketplace. Divine Love in the Father's Plan. 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? John Adams, from an address to officers of the militia of Massachusetts, 11 October 1798, inThe Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States,ed. This is a harder question for those who affirm the existence of God and absolute truth than for those who believe in moral relativism. . I no longer view myself as a victim. 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. Jesus told the Roman governor Pilate that He came into the world to bear witness unto the truth., What is truth? that unbeliever responded. After the crowd who intended to stone her had departed, Jesus asked her about her accusers: Hath no man condemned thee? (John 8:10). If your so-called friends urge you to do anything you know to be wrong,yoube the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone.14. Page last updated 30 Sep 2021. Did you enjoy these Dallin H. Oaks quotes? You cannot possess or use the coin of tolerance without being conscious of both sides. What Have Scholars Learned about Joseph Smith? [We need]the courage to say, I dont know. The subject was the sacrament, and the class was being taught by the bishop. On August 25, 2000, he married Kristen M. McMain in the Salt Lake Temple. All efforts begin with desire. Some Christians look on this as the time when individuals are assigned to heaven or hell. 15. Even He refrained from a final mortal judgment of the woman taken in adultery. What does tolerance mean to us and to other believers, and what are our special challenges in applying it? In all our judgments we should apply righteous standards. . And behold, I am the light and the life of the world (3 Ne. As we draw farther from worldliness, we feel closer to our Father in Heaven and more able to be guided by his Spirit. Stephen L. Carter,The Culture of Disbelief: How American Law and Politics Trivialize Religious Devotion(New York: BasicBooks, 1993), 225. to judge the world; if it were, we would ruin everything. Let us consider some principles or ingredients that lead to a righteous judgment.. It is significant that when we partake of the sacrament we do not witness that we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. We must also practice tolerance and respect toward others. The love of God does not supersede His laws and His commandments, and the effect of Gods laws and commandments does not diminish the purpose and effect of His love. . That approach to differences will yield tolerance and also respect. These 32 new mission presidents and companions were recently called to serve in Top 42 Quotes from Think Again by Adam Grant, Top 32 Best Quotes From Mans Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, 20 Best Quotes From Melinda Gates New Book The Moment of Lift. Perhaps we should explain our belief that our observance of the Sabbath, including our partaking of the sacrament, restores us spiritually and makes us better people for the rest of the week. Eric Rassbach, quoted in William McGurn, Religion and the Cult of Tolerance,The Wall Street Journal,16 August 2011, A11. . President Oaks gives a powerful talk about service, and all of the amazing good works going on around the world. Most of us are troubled by packed shopping centers and other commercial activities on the Sabbath. Dallin H Oaks - Etsy 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. 35 (25 July 2011): 2021; csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2011/0719/Is-US-a-nation-of-liars-Casey-Anthony-isn-t-the-only-one. Many even question whether there is a God. Commandments mark the path and show us the way to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. 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). I do not need to destroy myself with anger and hate. President Oaks talks cover topics like desire, repentance, and trust in the Lord. Jesus answered: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. What we get from a bookespecially a sacred textis mostly dependent on what we take to its readingin desire and readiness to learn, and in attunement to the light communicated by the Spirit of the Lord. In a BYU devotional address, Professor Catherine Corman Parry gave a memorable scriptural illustration of the consequences of judging by the wrong standards. What can one person do to promote world peace? 8, 11). 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). see other collected talk by Church Leaders, from the website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 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, Going Forward with Religious Freedom and Nondiscrimination, Elder Dallin H. Oaks at BYU: Racism and Other Challenges | Giuseppe Martinengo, President Oaks: avoid being unduly influenced by extreme voices | Giuseppe Martinengo, President Oaks Tells Students in Rome Why Religious Freedom Matters | Giuseppe Martinengo, Top 25 Best Quotes From Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. 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. Thus, the Lord said to Alma: Whosoever transgresseth against me, him shall ye judge according to the sins which he has committed; and if he confess his sins before thee and me, and repenteth in the sincerity of his heart, him shall ye forgive, and I will forgive him also. Tony & Tacky: Campus Confidential, Taste,The Wall Street Journal,5 July 2002, W11. 2. It was taught when a lawyer asked the Savior, Which is the great commandment in the law? (Matthew 22:36). It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.15. Generally, they should refrain from seeking laws or administrative action to facilitate beliefs that are distinctive to believers, such as the enforcement of acts of worship, even by implication. 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. They all come through the mercy and grace of the Holy One of Israel, after all we can do (2 Nephi 25:23). His creations witness His existence, and His servants hear and proclaim His voice. Home. We misinterpret motives, do not know facts, and judge from wrong standards. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . There is no middle ground. Most of us do not face decisions of giant proportions, like leaving our homes to pioneer an unknown land. October general conference 2022 talks - Deseret News - Deseret News . He holds the reins of judgment in His hands; He is a wise Lawgiver, and will judge all men, not according to the narrow, contracted notions of men . 5. The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to put ourselves in tune with the Spirit. In applying the sometimes competing demands of truth and tolerance in these three behaviors and many others, we should not be tolerant with ourselves.