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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. The talk was timely, according to political and legal sources, because while politicians, pundits and social media . What he did say is difficult to bear, but perhaps somewhat less difficult if we examine its context. They should cultivate loving family relationships so that family members will want to ask them for blessings. All rights reserved. 218 University Press Building We should be strong in keeping the commandments and our covenants, and we should repent and improve when we fall short. Perfect love is charity. But the rebuke would not have come had Martha not prompted it. . November 12, 2021 at University of Virginia. In doing so, we Latter-day Saints rely on the truth we sing in the hymn I quoted earlier: The pillar of truth will endure to the last, And its firm-rooted bulwarks outstand the rude blast, And the wreck of the fell tyrants hopes.7. What does it mean to always remember our Savior? All efforts begin with desire. Modern revelation shows that our first parents understood the necessity of the Fall. I love that truth that although I need to evaluate situations . And behold, I am the light and the life of the world (3 Ne. I just reread it and appreciate the good counsel he gave. Second, a righteous judgment will be guided by the Spirit of the Lord, not by anger, revenge, jealousy, or self-interest. But at the same time, the ancient language of symbolism and storytelling used within the temple has been outpaced by our reliance on fast-paced technology and instant Internet answers. Modern revelation teaches that some have the gift to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, . Our decisions are mostly in the daily routines of life, but as the Lord has told us, Be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. In this way diversity increases the potential for conflict and requires us to be more thoughtful about the nature of tolerance. I must hear both sides of the question. It is this suspended judgment that is the supreme form of charity. In the intermediate judgments we must make, we should take care to judge righteously. 3. We discuss the talks given by President Dallin H. Oaks and Hugo Montoya about service and love and wish you all a wonderful Christmas this year!Music acknowledgementsMusic: In Dulci Jubilo by J.S. Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Satan says we are not. . . 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. You might say, That is a matter for senior Church authorities to handle. I describe these principles to you young adults because you are current members and future leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ, and you will need to decide these kinds of questions sooner than you think. On another occasion he said, Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment (John 7:24). Our scriptural accounts of the Saviors mortal life provide the pattern. . Elder Dallin H Oaks; sacrifice; sanity; self care; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; widow; March 2023 (1) February 2023 (2) This is a vital matter on which we who believe in a Supreme Being who has established absolute right and wrong in human behavior must unite to insist on our time-honored constitutional rights to exercise our religion, to vote our consciences on public issues, and to participate in elections and debates in the public square and in the halls of justice. (See John 18:3738.). As a Apostle with a unique legal background Elder Oaks has on occasion spoken both for the Church and to the Church. Perfect love casteth out fear. When we do thisand there is great temptation to do sowe hurt ourselves and the person we pretend to judge. [Moroni 7:1214]. This is shaping the attitudes of many young Americans who are taking their places as the teachers of our children and the shapers of public attitudes through the media and popular entertainment. Third, to be righteous, an intermediate judgment must be within our stewardship. Iassure you that my message is true. 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. Why, oh, why couldnt the Lord have said, Youre absolutely right, Martha. This is an analysis of a general conference talk given by Elder Oaks titled Opposition in All Things, where he warned against taking opposition against the church. Elder Oaks is a graduate of Brigham Young University (1954) and of The University of Chicago Law School (1957). Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Who am I to judge another? 320.). There are important restraints upon our intermediate judgments, but the presumption of innocence is not one of them. President Thomas S. Monson has provided an excellent example of the practice of these twin virtues. . Letter to Dallin H. Oaks, 22 December 1987. . 218 University Press Building Clothed in a white robe, he descended out of heaven. 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. 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; 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. The New York Times, Wikipedia, Patheos, USA Today, NPR, Church News, LDS Living, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Bustle, Heavy, Slate, and more. Martha received Jesus into her house and worked to provide for him while her sister Mary sat at Jesus feet and heard his word. It is not a sermon. She died July 21, 1998. 11819]. 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. One judges a painting by the full view of the whole canvas; separate isolated square inches of colour are meaningless. Provo, Utah 84602. Did the Kinderhook Plates Really Fool Joseph Smith? We make better choices and decisions if we look at the alternatives and ponder where they will lead. I am convinced that these seemingly contradictory directions are consistent when we view them with the perspective of eternity. Most of us do not face decisions of giant proportions, like leaving our homes to pioneer an unknown land. We are enriched by associations with different peoples, which remind us of the wonderful diversity of the children of God. According to survey data of two decades ago, 79 percent of American adults [believed] that there are clear guidelines about whats good and evil that apply to everyone regardless of the situation.4In contrast, a more recent poll of college seniors suggests that three-quarters of [them] believe that the difference between right and wrong is relative.5. Elder Dallin H. Oaks spoke in the October 2014 General Conference. Believers can be less cautious in seeking government action that would serve principles broader than merely facilitating the practice of their beliefs, such as laws concerning public health, safety, and morals. We also need focus to avoid what is harmful. Even the Savior, during his mortal ministry, refrained from making final judgments. . Our Master, whom we seek to serve, is, as the scriptures say, a God of love (2 Corinthians 13:11). . Isalute you for your righteous actions and your righteous desires. His creations witness His existence, and His servants hear and proclaim His voice. . In earlier times the Savior had declared, I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Knowing that we are all children of God gives us a vision of the worth of others and the ability to rise above prejudice. From these we magnify a mood into a character and an episode into a life. . I testify of Jesus Christ, the Lord of the vineyard. 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. That is how we qualify for the promised blessings. It is well to worry about our moral foundation. The gospel is a gospel of hope, and none of us is authorized to deny the power of the Atonement to bring about a cleansing of individual sins, forgiveness, and a reformation of life on appropriate conditions. deaton funeral home, red bay, al obituaries. 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 Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke during the Saturday morning session of October 2022 general conference. . 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. Two experiences illustrate the importance of caution in judging. 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. We have a right to our preferences, our likes and dislikes, our impressions, our opinions, but we should withhold final judgmentas an honest unprejudiced juryman keeps his verdict in suspense until he has heard and tested all of the evidence. Opposition permits us to grow toward what our Heavenly Father would have us become. 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. We can acknowledge the sincerity of those whose positions we cannot accept. 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. Learn more about the Dallin H. Oaks biography, In the Hands of the Lord. As the Apostle Paul taught, Christians should follow after the things which make for peace (Romans 14:19) and, as much as possible, live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18). . By falling short of righteous standards, we place ourselves in jeopardy of being judged by incorrect or unrighteous standards ourselves. 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. 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. This is beyond what Latter-day Saints do in callings, in member-to-member service and individually with innumerable charitable organizations. The STANDS4 Network . The Lord acknowledges Marthas care: Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things (v. 41). Wherefore, take heed . Each of us is part of a great family, the human family, sons and daughters of God, and therefore brothers and sisters. 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). I testify of Jesus Christ, whose light and Spirit guides all the children of God in helping the poor and distressed throughout the world.. : but judge righteous judgment (JST, Matthew 7:12; see also John 7:24, Alma 41:14). N. T. Wright on the New Testament in Its World, Ann Madsen Reflects on Isaiah, Jehovah, and the Temple. Misery is more than unhappiness, sorrow, or suffering. 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. So informed, her visitor and others spoke criticisms of her children for neglecting their mother. 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. I do not need to destroy myself with anger and hate. The Need for a Church. Thus, a thoughtful LDS woman wrote me about her concern that the worlds definition of tolerance seems to be increasingly used in relation to tolerating wicked lifestyles. She asked how the Lord would define tolerance.11, President Boyd K. Packer gave an inspired introduction to this subject. 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). May God bless us that we may have that love and that we may show it in refraining from making final judgments of our fellowman. 6. . I testify of the power and blessings of the priesthood of God, available for His sons and daughters alike. . About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. We can all remember our feelings when a little child cried out and reached up to us for help. 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. He practiced law and taught law in Chicago. If there are more that I have missed, please let me know and I will add them to the list. April 2022. October 2022. Would it have hurt Mary to have joined us in serving, then we all could have sat down to hear the Lord together? How Did Freemasons Influence the Temple Ceremony? . While we are powerless to alter the fact of the Second Coming and unable to know its exact time, we can accelerate our own preparation and try to influence the preparation of those around us. The ripples in my pond will spread through future generations. Spirituality. That is why we make covenants. President Oaks said religious liberty faces serious challenges around the world, such as secularism, authoritarianism, political correctness and deteriorating attitudes toward religion. Learn more about his general conference talks in this compilation. Along with the ascendancy of moral relativism, the United States is experiencing a disturbing reduction in overall public esteem for religion. . When I walk imperfectly? We can speak of principles rather than personalities.17. The kingdom of God is like a leaven, Jesus taught (see Matthew 13:33). How can I keep my covenant to stand as a witness and not offend these people?13. We misinterpret motives, do not know facts, and judge from wrong standards. 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. Forgiveness is a companion principle to the commandment that in final judgments we judge not and in intermediate judgments we judge righteously. Oh Say, What Is Truth?Hymns,2002, no. Let us consider some principles or ingredients that lead to a righteous judgment.. President Oaks and his late wife, Sister June Dixon Oaks, are the parents of six children. When she answered no, Jesus declared, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more (v. 11). Living in the mission field, I often hear the name of the Lord taken in vain, and I also have acquaintances who tell me that they are living with their boyfriends. As believers, we must always speak with love and show patience, understanding, and compassion toward our adversaries. Shocking reports of large-scale thievery and lying in civilized societies in the last two months suggest a moral vacuum in which many have little sense of right and wrong. You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. that which is good and of God to be of the devil. Misery is the ultimate state of disharmony with God and his laws. Church leaders are specifically commanded to judge. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Law of E. F. Hutton (#5). The guilty parties were not hard to spot because they continued whispering all through the class. First,all persons are brothers and sisters under God, taught within their various religions to love and do good to one another. Joseph G. Donders (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2005), 21013; Harold Kushner,Who Needs God(New York: Summit, 1989), 8384. In revelation the Lord added this parable for modern Zion: Set . 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). 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. Marthas self-importance, expressed through her judgment of her sister, occasioned the Lords rebuke, not her busyness with the meal. It is a very unstable virtue.12. that ye do not judge . . If it werent for us Marthas cleaning whatever we see and fussing over meals, there would be a lot of dirty, hungry people in this world. These include covenants and ordinances and repentance when our choices are wrong. It requires an object and a response to qualify it as a virtue. 00:30:09 - We discuss talks given by Elders Rasband and McConkie. Purchase a 60+ page workbook which will help you read, study, and record insights from each General Conference talk from October 2022 while using the 8 learning styles. In the process of what we call the Apostasy, the tangible, personal God described in the Old and New Testaments was replaced by the abstract, incomprehensible deity defined by compromise with the speculative principles of Greek philosophy. [Catherine Corman Parry, Simon, I Have Somewhat to Say unto Thee: Judgment and Condemnation in the Parables of Jesus,Brigham Young University 199091 Devotional and Fireside Speeches[Provo: BYU, 1991], p. 116]. 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. When we understand our relationship to God, we also understand our relationship to one another. He knows of our anguish, and He is there for us. Persons who dont believe in God or in absolute truth in moral matters can see themselves as the most tolerant of persons. 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. President [Spencer W.] Kimball taught that the moment we begin preaching to others, our testimony is ended. God inspires many organizations and individuals to do much good, and more Church members should recognize and support the good done by others. He loves us, and all that He does is for our eternal benefit. So far as possible, we should judge circumstances rather than people. . Someone has said that you cannot slice cheese so fine that it doesnt have two sides. . You do your thing, and Ill do my thing is the popular description. I love the words in Susan Evans McClouds familiar hymn: Who am I to judge another We have not sufficient wisdom, our minds are not filled with the knowledge and power of God. We should seek the guidance of the Spirit in our decisions. Today and tomorrow would need to include two talks per day, then after that read one talk per day. For most followers of Christ, our sacrifices involve what we can do on a day-to-day basis in our ordinary personal lives. Some say, I didnt learn anything today or No one was friendly to me or I was offended. Personal disappointments should never keep us from the doctrine of Christ, who taught us to serve, not to be served. See the full text of President Oaks talk: Helping the Poor and Distressed, 19th latter-day Apostle to reach the age of 90, evidence of Gods saving love for His children. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of love. 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. 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. You whom I address shun evil and seek truth. . The purpose of the gospel is to transform common creatures into celestial citizens, and that requires change. Because of Gods plan and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be cleansed by the process of repentance. 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 We should address prayers to our Heavenly Father in words which speakers of that language associate with love and respect and reverence and closeness. The scripture is familiar. There may be situations, there will be situations, where, with serious moral issues involved, we cannot bend on matters of principle. This interpretation is confirmed by what he then said to the Pharisees: Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man (John 8:15). 15. Taking upon Us the Name of Jesus Christ. With the love and mutual respect taught by divine commandments, President Oaks said. Collection: Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Redeemer, BYU Speeches I am waiting further evidence. I have found that observance of the Sabbath is almost obsolete. President Oaks quotes cover topics like desire, repentance, and trust in the Lord. In most cases this decision can depend on how directly we are personally affected by it. Speaking to an audience of institute students three years ago, he said: The wordtolerancedoes not stand alone. [Teachings,p. 218]. He knows the truth. . . I am not to blame for what happened to me as a child. Login . Second,when believers seek to promote their positions in the public square, their methods and their advocacy should always be tolerant of the opinions and positions of others who do not share their beliefs. I am very t`hankful that it is not our province . By this, all the children of God are enlightened to serve Him and one another to the best of their knowledge and ability.. A fourth principle of a righteous intermediate judgment of a person is that we should, if possible, refrain from judging until we have adequate knowledge of the facts. In a BYU devotional address, Professor Catherine Corman Parry gave a memorable scriptural illustration of the consequences of judging by the wrong standards. My Savior knows what happened. PresidentDallin H. Oakswassustained andset apartas first counselor in the First Presidencyandpresident of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostlesof The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints onSunday, January 14, 2018. Amen. Our civilization is based on morality and cannot exist without it. Many areas of the law are based on Judeo-Christian morality and have been for centuries. 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. . We do not need to judge nearly so much as we think we do. What believers should do about this introduces the second of my twin subjects: Tolerance. Many of our challenges are different from those faced by former pioneers but perhaps just as dangerous and surely as significant to our own salvation and the salvation of those who follow us. Similarly, with our children and others we have a duty to teachsuch as in our Church callingsour duty to truth is paramount. That judgment is the Lords, not ours. Content licensed under CC BY 4.0 unless otherwise noted. . With the increased understanding we have received from the Restoration, Latter-day Saints understand the final judgment as the time when all mankind will receive their personal dominions in the mansions prepared for them in the various kingdoms of glory (see D&C 76:111, John 14:2, 1 Corinthians 15:4044). 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. 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. 4. Christian believers are under command to love their neighbors (see Luke 10:27), to forgive (see Matthew 18:2135), and to do good to those who despitefully use them (see Matthew 5:44). He can make the judgments and the punishments. The best known of these is Judge not, that ye be not judged (3 Nephi 14:1, Matthew 7:1). Third,believers should not be deterred by the familiar charge that they are trying to legislate morality. They all come through the mercy and grace of the Holy One of Israel, after all we can do (2 Nephi 25:23). Conference on-the Go: Dallin H. Oaks, Helping the Poor and Distressed, One Minute Scripture Study: A Come Follow Me Podcast. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 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. fatal car accident knoxville tn today young and the restless recap today A Conversation with Dallin H. Oaks, President of Brigham Young University Ensign. . to judge the world; if it were, we would ruin everything. . And in those intermediate judgments we are responsible to make, may we judge righteously and with love. 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? This is a harder question for those who affirm the existence of God and absolute truth than for those who believe in moral relativism. . As a student of the scriptures and as a former judge, I have had a special interest in the many scriptures that refer to judging. 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 . When believers enter the public square to try to influence the making or the administration of laws motivated by their beliefs, they should apply some different principles. We should not add to the extremism that divides our society. 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). 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. Some Christians look on this as the time when individuals are assigned to heaven or hell. Pursuing that principle, the author of theEnsignarticle writes: Somewhere along the journey of healing comes the essential task of forgiving. See Heidi S. Swinton,To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson(Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2010), especially chapters 25 and 28 and pages 46263. 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. In the words of President Joseph F. Smith: