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. President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, opened Conference by answering the question, "What does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members give . April 2022. Today more than ever before, the blessings of the temple are avail- able to faithful Saints around the world. 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. 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). We should not add to the extremism that divides our society. President Oaks quotes cover topics like desire, repentance, and trust in the Lord. 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 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. 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. And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. Required fields are marked *. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. That's amazing. 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. [Moroni 7:1516]. 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. There was a conference talk by Elder Dallin H Oaks a few years back about making good choices. Letter to Dallin H. Oaks, 14 May 1998. Our relationship to God and the purpose of earth life are explained in terms of the family. 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. For the goal of all human relationswhether they are religious, social, political, or economicought to be cooperation and mutual respect.9. When I walk imperfectly? . 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. The kingdom of God is like a leaven, Jesus taught (see Matthew 13:33). 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. We make better choices and decisions if we look at the alternatives and ponder where they will lead. They all come through the mercy and grace of the Holy One of Israel, after all we can do (2 Nephi 25:23). A testimony of the gospel is not a travelogue, a health log, or an expression of love for family members. 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. The Savior also commanded individuals to be judges, both of circumstances and of other people. There are important restraints upon our intermediate judgments, but the presumption of innocence is not one of them. 272. Living together with mutual respect for one anothers differences is a challenge in todays world. Opposition permits us to grow toward what our Heavenly Father would have us become. judge; for judgment is mine, saith the Lord (Mormon 8:20). As young adults, you may wonder why I am speaking to you about the principles we should follow when we seek government action, such as by the legislature. First is the principle that the source of government power is the people. Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. How Did Freemasons Influence the Temple Ceremony? 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. Holders of the priesthood should also keep the commandments so they will have the power of the priesthood to give blessings to their family members. 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. Last year, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was invited to participate in Indiana. Commandments mark the path and show us the way to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. . Many even question whether there is a God. 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 New York Times, Wikipedia, Patheos, USA Today, NPR, Church News, LDS Living, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Bustle, Heavy, Slate, and more. Spirituality. . 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. I am not to blame for what happened to me as a child. 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). 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. . Her 1986 memoir, Goodbye, I Love You, is considered a landmark in discussions of homosexuality and Mormonism. One about the role of the Book of Mormon in sharing the gospel and the other in knowing the l Let us be good neighbors, kind and generous and gracious. 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. As believers, we must always speak with love and show patience, understanding, and compassion toward our adversaries. In the words of President Joseph F. Smith: We believe in all truth, no matter to what subject it may refer. We give thanks for commandments. We do not need to judge nearly so much as we think we do. But in such instances we can politely disagree without being disagreeable. 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). 15. That is the spirit of the two-sided coin of truth and tolerance. Our duty to truth requires us to seek relief from some behavior that is wrong. . He is a native of Provo, Utah (born . So it was that, at the conclusion of His ministry, Jesus prayed to the Father, Not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (John 17:15). . President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke during the Saturday morning session of October 2022 general conference. The Book of Mormon teaches: For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain . In an essay titled Sitting in the Seat of Judgment, the great essayist William George Jordan reminded us that character. Provo, Utah 84602. The best known of these is Judge not, that ye be not judged (3 Nephi 14:1, Matthew 7:1). . 3. 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. . You whom I address shun evil and seek truth. As the Book of Mormon teaches: All things which are good cometh of God. . He talked about "good, better and best " choices. 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. The character of transgression remains the same. 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. His creations witness His existence, and His servants hear and proclaim His voice. Trust Him." As our confidence in God goes up, our fear goes down. Amen. 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. 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. [John 13:3435]. 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. That question is as penetrating today as when Jesus used it to confound the Pharisees almost two thousand years ago. 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. 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). We witness that we are willing to do so. President Oaks address can be read on the Church Newsroom website. . I have chosen to speak about truth because teachers in schools, colleges, and universities are teaching and practicing relative morality. President [Harold B.] It is well to worry about our moral foundation. 218 University Press Building In all our judgments we should apply righteous standards. President Oaks talks cover topics like desire, repentance, and trust in the Lord. If given in the right way and for the right reasons, that service will reward us beyond anything we have given. 46:19. Provo, Utah 84602, Simon, I Have Somewhat to Say unto Thee: Judgment and Condemnation in the Parables of Jesus. We believe in absolute truth, including the existence of God and the right and wrong established by His commandments. I kept glaring at them, hoping that they would take the hint, but they didnt seem to notice. One judges a painting by the full view of the whole canvas; separate isolated square inches of colour are meaningless. Talks by Dallin H. Oaks. But we do know that God will help each of us overcome these challenges if we sincerely seek His help. bid her therefore that she help me (v. 40). . 2021. 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. May 3: Dallin H. Oaks is ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Subscribe for free and get daily or weekly updates straight to your inbox, The three things you need to know everyday, Highlights from the last week to keep you informed. 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. The bishop answered, You do nothing. 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. Through the prophet Moses the Lord commanded Israel, Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour (Leviticus 19:15). 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. [Teachings,p. 218]. For example, an atheist has no need to decide what kinds and occasions of profanity or blasphemy can be tolerated and what kinds should be confronted. 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. Elder Oaks is a graduate of Brigham Young University (1954) and of The University of Chicago Law School (1957). Many good, religious-minded . . You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that. 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. A gospel teacher does not focus on himself or herself. 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. 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). . The following is a summary of what he said. As a Apostle with a unique legal background Elder Oaks has on occasion spoken both for the Church and to the Church. October 1986, Saturday afternoon session. During his mortal ministry the Savior made and acted upon many intermediate judgments, such as when he told the Samaritan woman of her sinful life (see John 4:1719); when he rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy (see Matthew 15:19, 23:133); and when he commented on the comparative merit of the rich mens offerings and the widows mites (see Mark 12:4144). Any content or opinions expressed, implied or included in or with the material are solely those of the owner and not those of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Music courtesy of bensound.com, Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher. 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. Along with the ascendancy of moral relativism, the United States is experiencing a disturbing reduction in overall public esteem for religion. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. In subsequent portions of her talk, Professor Parry observed that in this instanceand also in the example of Simon the Pharisee, who criticized the woman who anointed the feet of the Savior (see Luke 7:3650)the Savior took one individuals judgment of another individual as a standard and applied that judgment back upon the individual who was judging.