He can make the judgments and the punishments. . . The STANDS4 Network . I am not to blame for what happened to me as a child. Enigma Books Also published by Enigma Books Hitler's Table Talk: 1941-1944 In Stalin's Secret Service Hitler and Mussolini: The Secret Meetings The Jews in Fascist Italy: A History The Man Behind the Rosenbergs Roosevelt and Hopkins: An Intimate History Diary 1937-1943 (Galeazzo Ciano) Secret Affairs: FDR, Cordell Hull, and Sumner Welles Hitler and His Generals: Military Conferences . As a Apostle with a unique legal background Elder Oaks has on occasion spoken both for the Church and to the Church. Also see, GamblingMorally Wrong and Politically Unwise (, 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, Stand Fast with Love in Proclaiming Truth, Going Forward with Religious Freedom and Nondiscrimination. Required fields are marked *. I will speak first of the final judgment. 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. Helping the Poor and Distressed. 13. And, in all of this, we must remember the command to forgive. 8, 11). If you have doubts about this, or if you have questions about how to apply these principles in your own life, I urge you to seek guidance from the same source. The Lord obviously did not justify the womans sin. We call this quality of life spirituality. President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke during the Saturday morning session of October 2022 general conference. 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. do not doubt the overriding importance of listening to the Lord,[but]does the listening have to be done during dinner preparations? 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. We should limit our judgments to our own stewardships. 4. I used the principle of forgiveness to strengthen me.[Journey to Healing, p. 22]. We make better choices and decisions if we look at the alternatives and ponder where they will lead. 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. One of Martin Harriss greatest contributions to the Church, for which he should be honored for all time, was his financing the publication of the Book of Mormon. We must go, I believe, beyond tolerance if we are to achieve harmony in our world., Relying on the teachings of the Quran, Dr. Shihab continued: We must respect this God-given dignity in every human being, even in our enemies. I testify to the sweetness of the marriage and family life that the family proclamation describes as founded upon a husband and wifes solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children and upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.. There is a doctrine underlying the subject of gospel judging. We should not presume to exercise and act upon judgments that are outside our personal responsibilities. 91, 93). Copyright 2023 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Joseph G. Donders (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2005), 21013; Harold Kushner,Who Needs God(New York: Summit, 1989), 8384. There is no middle ground. 2022. 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. 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. Library General Conference Speakers Dallin H. Oaks. Today and tomorrow would need to include two talks per day, then after that read one talk per day. As was wisely taught in a BYU devotional, The Lord does not grade on a curve. He will judge us in terms of qualities, not quotas (in Janet G. Lee, The Lord Doesnt Grade on a Curve,BYU 199495 Devotional and Fireside Speeches[Provo: Brigham Young University, 1995], pp. He spoke of helping the poor and distressed not just what the Church is doing but what is being done worldwide. In the quiet heart is hidden That's amazing. 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? A loving Heavenly Father gives us those feelings to impel us to help His children. [Lord, I Would Follow Thee,Hymns,1985, no. It is a very unstable virtue.12. . Login . The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Introductory Message. An apostle's responsibility is to be a special witness of Jesus Christ . Some personal decisions must be made before we have access to all of the facts. 16. That question is as penetrating today as when Jesus used it to confound the Pharisees almost two thousand years ago. Elder Uchtdorf introduces the revised For the Strength of Youth pamphlet while bearing powerful testimony of Jesu. What does this scripture mean for our day and how can it be applied by Latter-day Saints? We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, these seemingly small things bring to pass great things. 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. . November 12, 2021 at University of Virginia. Alsosee other collected talk by Church Leaders. Consider where society would be if we did not have religious freedom, says President Oaks, President Oaks general conference addresses, Read more October 2022 general conference coverage, President Oaks was a law clerk to Chief Justice Earl Warren at the U.S. Supreme Court and served as a. . During class discussion a member asked, What if you see an unworthy person partaking of the sacrament? On another occasion he said, Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment (John 7:24). Come, Follow Me 2023: New Testament Resources. 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. Wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. 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. In case you want to follow along, here are the quotes we're 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 . Because He loves us, He challenges us to focus on Him instead of the things of this mortal world. . From our love of God and our fellowmen, we acquire our desire to share that great gift with everyone. [Matthew 11:2830]. 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. The Church Handbook of Instructions 32.0 states: He also said religious freedom is the DNA of The Church of Jesus Christ. That is why we have commandments and ordinances. Let us be involved in good community causes. 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. By falling short of righteous standards, we place ourselves in jeopardy of being judged by incorrect or unrighteous standards ourselves. 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). That is why we make covenants. In this context the wordcondemnapparently refers to the final judgment (see John 3:17). 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. . June: Carol Lynn Pearson's estranged gay husband returns to live with her and their children after being diagnosed with AIDS, and she cares for him until his death. fatal car accident knoxville tn today young and the restless recap today Common Misunderstandings about Brigham Young. Remember that God loves His children and will surely do what is best for each of us. He talked about "good, better and best " choices. We are enriched by associations with different peoples, which remind us of the wonderful diversity of the children of God. How can I keep my covenant to stand as a witness and not offend these people?13. Even He refrained from a final mortal judgment of the woman taken in adultery. . Martha received Jesus into her house and worked to provide for him while her sister Mary sat at Jesus feet and heard his word. Misery is more than unhappiness, sorrow, or suffering. We are to beinthe world, but notofthe world. The question posed by the second commandment is What is our ultimate priority?. S2:E2 "Jesus Christ is the Strengt. 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. 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 . 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. Many religious leaders teach the existence of God as the Ultimate Lawgiver, by whose action certain behavior is absolutely right and true and certain other behavior is absolutely wrong and untrue.6Bible and Book of Mormon prophets foresaw this time, when men would be lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:4) and, indeed, when men would deny God (see Jude 1:4; 2 Nephi 28:5; Moroni 7:17; D&C 29:22).
