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The scripture is familiar. Most of us are troubled by packed shopping centers and other commercial activities on the Sabbath. And, in all of this, we must remember the command to forgive. Last update: May 2022. [Luke 10:4042]. We should refrain from anything that seems to be a final judgment of any personmanifesting our determination to leave final judgments to the Lord, who alone has the capacity to judge. We are enriched by associations with different peoples, which remind us of the wonderful diversity of the children of God. 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. Howeverand here I express asecond absolute truththis living with differences is what the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us we must do. This Christmas, as with every Christmas, we focus on loving one another just as our Savior loved us. In applying the sometimes competing demands of truth and tolerance in these three behaviors and many others, we should not be tolerant with ourselves. . . . The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Law of E. F. Hutton (#5). 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). 8746 (1319 August 2011): 14; Patrik Jonsson, Is the US a Nation of Liars? US News,The Christian Science Monitor,103, no. . Russell M. Nelson Dallin H. Oaks Henry B. Eyring Also implicated due to his historic position as Presiding Bishop is Gary E. Stevenson. . . In modern revelation the Lord has declared, I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men (D&C 64:10). 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? . Thus, our Saviors teachings contain many commandments we cannot keep without making intermediate judgments of people: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6); Beware of false prophets. 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. Second Annual Sacramento Court/Clergy Conference. We must, of course, make judgments every day in the exercise of our moral agency, but we must be careful that our judgments of people are intermediate and not final. [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]. Search for people biographies, memoirs and profession matching the query: Dallin H. Oaks. . I will not be judged for what happened to me, but I will be judged by how I let it affect my life. . 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. 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. Iassure you that my message is true. Because of a short-term memory loss, this elderly sister innocently answered no. 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 . I may need to do something. That wise answer illustrates my point about stewardship in judging. In doing so we stand with angels. There may be situations, there will be situations, where, with serious moral issues involved, we cannot bend on matters of principle. If given in the right way and for the right reasons, that service will reward us beyond anything we have given. President Oaks and his late wife, Sister June Dixon Oaks, are the parents of six children. That is why we make covenants. That judgment is the Lords, not ours. Conquer fear through Charity. . I am devoted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are called to live with other children of God who do not share our faith or our values and who do not have the covenant obligations we have assumed. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of love. Today we're diving into "Helping the Poor and Distressed" by Dallin H. Oaks. Living together with mutual respect for one anothers differences is a challenge in todays world. 91, 93). My young brothers and sisters, we know that the existence of God and the existence of absolute truth are fundamental to life on this earth, whether they are believed or not. 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. But rather, a plea for unity and cooperation on strategy and advocacy toward our common goal of religious liberty for all.. First is the principle that the source of government power is the people. Show Timeline. 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. 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. He will be just. You will need to understand how our efforts in the public square are informed by the balance between truth and tolerance. 15. Ye shall know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:1516); and Go ye out from among the wicked (D&C 38:42). The woman taken in adultery was granted time to repent, time that would have been denied by those who wanted to stone her. One judges a painting by the full view of the whole canvas; separate isolated square inches of colour are meaningless. Learn more about his general conference talks in this compilation. Someone has said that you cannot slice cheese so fine that it doesnt have two sides. On the broader question being widely agitated by the atheists of our day, I proclaim my knowledge that God lives! Please! 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 . In the words of President Joseph F. Smith: Isalute you for your righteous actions and your righteous desires. [Moroni 7:1516]. 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. 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 wise author also treats the importance of forgiveness. I will leave it in his hands. 12. Whats Really in the Journal of Discourses? And furthermore, what about the value of our work in the world? 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. Then he delivers the gentle but clear rebuke. Whether or how we might seek to obtain laws that would compel or influence behavior that we deem desirable because of our belief in God and His commandments is too large a subject for adequate treatment in the concluding few minutes of my talk. Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers. 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. The best known of these is Judge not, that ye be not judged (3 Nephi 14:1, Matthew 7:1). You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that. 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? A leavenyeastis hidden away in the larger mass until the whole is leavened, which means raised by its influence. Speaking to an audience of institute students three years ago, he said: The wordtolerancedoes not stand alone. . "Brother's Keeper". The Book of Mormon teaches that every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil;Links:Our General Conference talk schedule: https://kristenwalkersmith.com/conference-on-the-go-episode-list/The Conference Talk checklist: https://bit.ly/3eHJGEIThis weeks phone wallpaper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z9cJGCePDNy9ccHnDzVrzkxkf4UXnJ4_/view?usp=sharingHelping the Poor and Distressed by Dallin H. Oaks By Intellectual Reserve, Inc.This material is neither made, provided, approved, nor endorsed by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are to live in the world but not be of the world. That is a wise judgment of a situation, not a person. When we seek the truth about religion, we should use spiritual methods appropriate for that search. . . 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). Oh Say, What Is Truth?Hymns,2002, no. But our obligation to truth has its own set of requirements and its own set of blessings. On August 25, 2000, he married Kristen M. McMain in the Salt Lake Temple. Once an accepted part of American life, religion is now suspect in the minds of many. 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. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives. President Dallin H. Oaks stated, "The Lord is all powerful. 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. Oh Say, What Is Truth?Hymns,2002, no. 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. We sing: Tho the heavens depart and the earths fountains burst,Truth, the sum of existence, will weather the worst,Eternal, unchanged, evermore.1. I will speak first of the final judgment. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. . And we must all oppose violence and thievery. That's amazing. When we do thisand there is great temptation to do sowe hurt ourselves and the person we pretend to judge. As a Apostle with a unique legal background Elder Oaks has on occasion spoken both for the Church and to the Church. The Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse by John Gottman. Most of us do not face decisions of giant proportions, like leaving our homes to pioneer an unknown land. 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. The Church Handbook of Instructions 32.0 states: Surely Latter-day Saints do need to be more wise and skillful in explaining and pursuing our views and in exercising our influence when we have it. . 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 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. . It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.15. The Church gives us opportunities to serve the Lord and our fellowmen. Similarly, with our children and others we have a duty to teachsuch as in our Church callingsour duty to truth is paramount. 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. We would even apply the wrong standards. When I walk imperfectly? They were innocent of neglect and should not have been judged on the basis of an inadequate knowledge of the facts. 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). There is a doctrine underlying the subject of gospel judging. 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. 16. This is not a call for doctrinal compromises, President Oaks said. In this way diversity increases the potential for conflict and requires us to be more thoughtful about the nature of tolerance. . In another essay, William George Jordan wrote: There is but one quality necessary for the perfect understanding of character, one quality that, if[a]man have it, he maydare to judgethat is, omniscience. . The weaker ones belief in God and the fewer ones moral absolutes, the fewer the occasions when the ideas or practices of others will confront one with the challenge to be tolerant. The theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints centers on the family. Sometimes urgent circumstances require us to make preliminary judgments before we can get all of the facts we desire for our decision making. From our love of God and our fellowmen, we acquire our desire to share that great gift with everyone. . Come, Follow Me 2023: New Testament Resources. Our scriptural accounts of the Saviors mortal life provide the pattern. We also know that evil exists and that some things are simply, seriously, and everlastingly wrong. . We live in a world where more and more persons of influence are teaching and acting out a belief that there is no absolute right and wrong, that all authority and all rules of behavior are man-made choices that can prevail over the commandments of God. . There is one qualification to this principle that we should not judge people without an adequate knowledge of the facts. He talked about "good, better and best " choices. This is beyond what Latter-day Saints do in callings, in member-to-member service and individually with innumerable charitable organizations. . Our relationship to God and the purpose of earth life are explained in terms of the family. And may we grow in the capacity to live his gospel, I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ. Profanity consistently used in our presence is an appropriate cause for us to communicate the fact that this is offensive to us. Along with the ascendancy of moral relativism, the United States is experiencing a disturbing reduction in overall public esteem for religion. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 114). 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; In most cases this decision can depend on how directly we are personally affected by it. The parents have insisted that he not smoke in their home or in front of his younger siblings. . BYU Studies sponsors FromtheDesk.org as part of its mission to publish scholarship informed by the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. As president of Brigham Young University from 1971 to 1980, he oversaw the creation of the J. Reuben Clark Law School and the graduate business school. The purpose of the gospel is to transform common creatures into celestial citizens, and that requires change. 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. Is Jim Bridger Responsible for What Happened to the Donner Party? I just reread it and appreciate the good counsel he gave. It is important to remember that the illumination and revelation that come to an individual as a result of the gift of the Holy Ghost do not come suddenly or without seeking. 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. 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 singing of hymns is one of the best ways to put ourselves in tune with the Spirit. 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. My dear young brothers and sisters, Kristen and I feel privileged to be with you on this significant occasion. Cohabitation we know to be a serious sin in which Latter-day Saints must not engage, whatever the circumstances. Introductory Message. 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. In the balance between truth and tolerance, tolerance can be dominant where the behavior does not involve us personally. 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). I am waiting further evidence. 320.). Dallin H. Oaks. 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. Helping the Poor and Distressed. 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. Top credite nebancare. . . Wherefore, take heed . 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. 6. Two hypotheticals illustrate this principle: 1. The doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. Commandments mark the path and show us the way to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. 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. I no longer view myself as a victim. 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. . I leave all that to the Lord. Check out our dallin h oaks selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. You do your thing, and Ill do my thing is the popular description. 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. He also said religious freedom is the DNA of The Church of Jesus Christ. 46:19. Top 26 Quotes from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Top 41 Best Quotes from Daring Greatly by Bren Brown. Thus, we must refrain from making final judgments on people, because we lack the knowledge and the wisdom to do so. How can I keep my covenant to stand as a witness and not offend these people?13. Faith is essential for healing by the powers of heaven. As President Thomas S. Monson taught us in the conference where he was sustained as our prophet: My young friends, be strong. On Aug. 25, 2000, he married Sister. Now we experience such differences in television and the Internet, through travel, and often in personal interactions in our neighborhoods and the marketplace. In all of this we should not presume to judge our neighbors or associates on the ultimate effect of their behaviors. (Boston: Little, Brown, 18501856), 9:229. 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. Do not be deceived; behind that faade is heartache, unhappiness, and pain. I express them as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, but I believe that most of these ideas are shared by believers generally. In the quiet heart is hidden Like a sword, sharp and powerful, it uncovers what is hidden, divides truth from error, and goes to the heart of religious belief. 8, 11). Similarly, in modern revelation the Lord appointed the bishop to be a judge in Israel to judge over property and transgressions (D&C 58:17, 107:72). BYU Speeches Then, to other believers, we might express appreciation for the fact that we share common ground on what is most vital because each of us believes in God and in the existence of absolute truth, even though we differ in our definitions of these fundamentals. But in such instances we can politely disagree without being disagreeable. Similar to our article with Russell M. Nelson quotes, this piece includes Dallin H. Oaks quotes from every general conference. I am responsible for my actions and what I do with my knowledge. She died July 21, 1998. There is no middle ground. Tolerance is often demanded but seldom returned. 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. . Learn how your comment data is processed. His or her total concentration will be on the needs of the sheepthe good of the students. His creations witness His existence, and His servants hear and proclaim His voice. Yet we dare to judge our fellow man by single acts and words, misleading glimpses, and deceptive moments of special strain. Summary of President Oaks' talk. 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. The Lord did not go into the kitchen and tell Martha to stop cooking and come listen. 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. 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. What Was Brigham Youngs Swift Pony Express? With the love and mutual respect taught by divine commandments, President Oaks said. For example, we must all deplore murder or other terrorist behavior, even when done by extremists in the name of religion. 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. All efforts begin with desire. That is why we have commandments and ordinances. . My Savior knows what happened. As John Adams declared: Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. How should we react toward and communicate with them? April 1985, Sunday afternoon session. Home. In this sensitive matter we should first consider whether or the extent to which we should communicate to our associates what we know to be true about their behavior. We must also practice tolerance and respect toward others. 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. But I can change the future. All rights reserved. After the crowd who intended to stone her had departed, Jesus asked her about her accusers: Hath no man condemned thee? (John 8:10). President Oaks asks BYU: How are we measuring up to President Kimballs 1975 call to be unique, special? Your email address will not be published. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. We should trust in the Lord and be positive about this nations future. . 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. Why, oh, why couldnt the Lord have said, Youre absolutely right, Martha. In the intermediate judgments we must make, we should take care to judge righteously. And as your life is in harmony, you gradually receive the Holy Ghost in a great measure (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. We are cast as combatants in the war between truth and error.