Similarly, with our children and others we have a duty to teachsuch as in our Church callingsour duty to truth is paramount. We can all pray for desire to help with this vital part of the work of salvation. You Are Needed | Spiritual Crusade . For the goal of all human relationswhether they are religious, social, political, or economicought to be cooperation and mutual respect.9. Dallin H. Oaks was a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this fireside address was given at BYU on 1 March 1998. Like many scriptures, this commandment has multiple meanings. . He also said religious freedom is the DNA of The Church of Jesus Christ. Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers. That is the spirit of the two-sided coin of truth and tolerance. A standard can be unrighteous because it is too harshthe consequences are too severe for the gravity of the wrong and the needs of the wrongdoer. In all our judgments we should apply righteous standards. We are cast as combatants in the war between truth and error. . President Gordon B. Hinckley expressed this idea for Latter-day Saints: Each of us [from various religious denominations] believes in the fatherhood of God, although we may differ in our interpretations of Him. . It is not a sermon. 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. But diversities in cultures and values also challenge us to identify what can be embraced as consistent with our gospel culture and values and what cannot. Learn more about the Dallin H. Oaks biography, In the Hands of the Lord. Elder Dallin H Oaks; sacrifice; sanity; self care; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; widow; March 2023 (1) February 2023 (2) 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. . . The Lord acknowledges Marthas care: Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things (v. 41). Elder Oaks is a graduate of Brigham Young University (1954) and of The University of Chicago Law School (1957). The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am listing below all President Dallin H. Oaks talks, not just those that he gave when he was as a General Authority of the Church, but also those given by him before, with the links to the text, video, or audio available. We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, these seemingly small things bring to pass great things. President Oaks said religious liberty faces serious challenges around the world, such as secularism, authoritarianism, political correctness and deteriorating attitudes toward religion. The doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. We are to beinthe world, but notofthe world. The ripples in my pond will spread through future generations. After the class, one of them came to me and apologized that she hadnt explained to me before class that her friend was deaf. If the cohabitation does involve us personally, we should be governed by our duty to truth. Standing in the midst of a multitude, he stretched forth his hand and said: Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. Even He refrained from a final mortal judgment of the woman taken in adultery. . 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. That is my Lord whose names you revile. (Improvement Era, May 1953, p. And as your life is in harmony, you gradually receive the Holy Ghost in a great measure (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. . Angels will stand with us, and He will send His Holy Spirit to guide us. Check out our dallin h oaks selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. I dont need to entertain thoughts of revenge. Helping the Poor and Distressed. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) This is beyond what Latter-day Saints do in callings, in member-to-member service and individually with innumerable charitable organizations. 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. These subjects were not chosen because they are uniquely your concern as young adults, like the dating, hanging out, and marriage I described to this audience some years ago. As I face this audience of committed youngpeople, I know that some of you may be wondering why I am speaking about what is obvious to you and what, you might assume, is obvious to others. 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. crucified for the sins of the world, and that it is given to others to believe on their words (D&C 46:13, 14). 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. Thus, we must refrain from making final judgments on people, because we lack the knowledge and the wisdom to do so. The following is a summary of what he said. 35 (25 July 2011): 2021; csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2011/0719/Is-US-a-nation-of-liars-Casey-Anthony-isn-t-the-only-one. . [Teachings,p. 218]. 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. We grow and mature spiritually by choosing to obey Gods commandments in a succession of right choices. It will refrain from declaring that a person has been assured of exaltation or from dismissing a person as being irrevocably bound for hellfire. . My Savior knows what happened. Because of Gods plan and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be cleansed by the process of repentance. . 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. 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. Let us consider some principles or ingredients that lead to a righteous judgment.. It was taught when a lawyer asked the Savior, Which is the great commandment in the law? (Matthew 22:36). The key is to understand that there are two kinds of judging: final judgments, which we are forbidden to make; and intermediate judgments, which we are directed to make, but upon righteous principles. 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. The New York Times, Wikipedia, Patheos, USA Today, NPR, Church News, LDS Living, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Bustle, Heavy, Slate, and more. Persuaded by this philosophy, many of the rising generationyouth and young adultsare caught up in self-serving pleasures, pagan painting and piercing of body parts, foul language, revealing attire, pornography, dishonesty, and degrading sexual indulgence. . A fifth principle of a righteous intermediate judgment is that whenever possible we will refrain from judging people and only judge situations. Some say that attending church meetings is not helping them. From our love of God and our fellowmen, we acquire our desire to share that great gift with everyone. 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? . 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. that which is good and of God to be of the devil. Letter to Dallin H. Oaks, 22 December 1987. Our tolerance and respect forothersand theirbeliefsdoes not cause us to abandon our commitment to the truths we understand and the covenants we have made. I may need to do something. That wise answer illustrates my point about stewardship in judging. Our duty to truth requires us to seek relief from some behavior that is wrong. The bishop answered, You do nothing. That's amazing. Are we our brothers keepers? Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. . 6. In doing so we stand with angels. Learn more about his general conference talks in this compilation. Modern revelation teaches that some have the gift to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, . The STANDS4 Network . Those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood open the door for all Church members who worthily partake of the sacrament to enjoy the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord and the ministering of angels. 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 Holy Ghost comes a little at a time as you merit it. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In one of the monthly General Authority fast and testimony meetings, I heard President James E. Faust say, The older I get, the less judgmental I become. That wise observation gives us a standard to live by in the matter of judgments. Page last updated 30 Sep 2021. Since followers of Jesus Christ are commanded to be a leavennot to be taken out of the world, but to remain in itwe must seek tolerance from those who hate us for not being of the world. The scriptures not only command or contemplate that we will make intermediate judgments, but they also give us some guidancesome governing principlesin how to do so. He has given 87 general conference talksincluding 18 addresses as a member of the First Presidency. [vv. He was set apart as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in April 7, 1984. President Dallin H. Oaks speaks at Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit 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. . 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. He will be just. Tolerance is often demanded but seldom returned. April 2022. Reverent and Clean. . I have been puzzled that some scriptures command us not to judge and others instruct us that we should judge and even tell us how to do it. . Is Jim Bridger Responsible for What Happened to the Donner Party? 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. The desires we act on determine our changing, our achieving, and our becoming. Oh Say, What Is Truth?Hymns,2002, no. . We must work harder to build mutual respect, an attitude of forbearance, with tolerance one for another regardless of the doctrines and philosophies which we may espouse.8, Note that President Hinckley spoke of mutual respect as well as tolerance. April 1986, Sunday morning session. . President Dallin H. Oaks: 'The Need for a Church' Received an email from my stake. Somebody's shelf shattered. . 7. Common Misunderstandings about Brigham Young. First: Truth. Currently, he is the second most senior apostle by years of service and is . 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? 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. . Come, Follow Me 2023: New Testament Resources. The guilty parties were not hard to spot because they continued whispering all through the class. . 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. 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). Conquer fear through Charity. do not doubt the overriding importance of listening to the Lord,[but]does the listening have to be done during dinner preparations? When practiced by those around us, it can be private behavior or something we are asked to condone, sponsor, or facilitate. Faith is essential for healing by the powers of heaven. In attempting to answer the question "What have I learned and what ought I to have learned?" I've learned just how incredibly difficult it is to arrive at a consensus in a group without the assistance of a leader, teacher, or arbiter. When I was a young adult, about sixty years ago, it was only in books and magazines that most Americans were exposed to great differences in cultures, values, and peoples. 4. Your email address will not be published. She died July 21, 1998. 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). In such circumstances we do the best we can, relying ultimately on the teaching in modern scripture that we should put our trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do goodyea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously (D&C 11:12). [Mosiah 26:29, 32]. This is not a call for doctrinal compromises, President Oaks said. Some personal decisions must be made before we have access to all of the facts. I know that the gospel is true because my Father in heaven has answered my prayers and borne witness to me by the power of the Holy Ghost. I testify of Jesus Christ, the Lord of the vineyard. In honor of his 90th birthday, President Oaks shares 12 lessons learned through the decades, President Oaks calls on young adults to stand fast with love in proclaiming truth, Offering a historic address in Rome, Italy, President Oaks calls for a global effort to defend and advance religious freedom, Why does religious liberty matter? All efforts begin with desire. November 04, 2022. 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.
