I have been puzzled that some scriptures command us not to judge and others instruct us that we should . Our tolerance and respect forothersand theirbeliefsdoes not cause us to abandon our commitment to the truths we understand and the covenants we have made. 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. And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance. A gospel teacher does not focus on himself or herself. We must also practice tolerance and respect toward others. What he did say is difficult to bear, but perhaps somewhat less difficult if we examine its context. 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. Along with the ascendancy of moral relativism, the United States is experiencing a disturbing reduction in overall public esteem for religion. A Relief Society worker visiting a sister in her ward asked whether the womans married children ever visited her. It is a very unstable virtue.12. We may not live by bread alone, but Ive never known anyone to live without it. The Savior also commanded individuals to be judges, both of circumstances and of other people. In an essay titled Sitting in the Seat of Judgment, the great essayist William George Jordan reminded us that character. What is tolerance, when does it apply, and when does it not apply? November 12, 2021 at University of Virginia. Let us be good neighbors, kind and generous and gracious. Let us consider how to apply that example to some other behaviors. So informed, her visitor and others spoke criticisms of her children for neglecting their mother. 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. We need to find ways to learn from one another and to reinforce the common commitments that hold us together and promote stable pluralistic societies.. This is a harder question for those who affirm the existence of God and absolute truth than for those who believe in moral relativism. This time he was definitely speaking to the Church. They are directions away from pitfalls, and they are invitations to blessings. We frequently update our Latter-day Saint history content related to Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, the Book of Mormon, and Come Follow Me 2023. . Tolerance is often demanded but seldom returned. 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. May we grow in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom I testify, as our Redeemer, our Creator, and our Savior. Who am I to judge another? 13. Come, Follow Me 2023: New Testament Resources. No sect or religious denomination in the world possesses a single principle of truth that we do not accept or that we will reject. That is the spirit of the two-sided coin of truth and tolerance. What future event or events could this covenant contemplate? About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. A gospel teacher, like the Master we serve, will concentrate entirely on those being taught. I have spoken to you as one of those watchmen on the subject the Spirit has assigned me. Even the Savior, during his mortal ministry, refrained from making final judgments. The best known of these is Judge not, that ye be not judged (3 Nephi 14:1, Matthew 7:1). To help us develop the godly attributes and the change in nature necessary to realize our divine potential, the Lord has revealed doctrine and established commandments based on eternal law. 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. . We misinterpret motives, do not know facts, and judge from wrong standards. Most people study character as a proofreader pores over a great poem: his ears are dulled to the majesty and music of the lines, his eyes are darkened to the magic imagination of the genius of the author; that proofreader is busy watching for an inverted comma, a misspacing, or a wrong font letter. As one of our Apostles observed: God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of his great and marvelous work. We are taught many small and simple things in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have chosen to heal myself and pass on to my children what I have learned. Perfect love casteth out fear. How can I keep my covenant to stand as a witness and not offend these people?13. Today more than ever before, the blessings of the temple are avail- able to faithful Saints around the world. When I walk imperfectly? We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, these seemingly small things bring to pass great things. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. If we apply unrighteous standards, our judgment will be unrighteous. do not doubt the overriding importance of listening to the Lord,[but]does the listening have to be done during dinner preparations? 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). 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. 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. The Lord did not go into the kitchen and tell Martha to stop cooking and come listen. Letter to Dallin H. Oaks, 14 May 1998. The answer is simple: keep Gods commandments and serve his children. The Church gives us opportunities to serve the Lord and our fellowmen. The worlds way is to judge competitively between winners and losers. Learn more about his general conference talks in this compilation. We should limit our judgments to our own stewardships. Today and tomorrow would need to include two talks per day, then after that read one talk per day. 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. We can all remember our feelings when a little child cried out and reached up to us for help. April 2022. Some Christians look on this as the time when individuals are assigned to heaven or hell. The bishop answered, You do nothing. It is well to worry about our moral foundation. 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. 6. Martha received Jesus into her house and worked to provide for him while her sister Mary sat at Jesus feet and heard his word. . . Sorrow that the eye cant see. The Lord obviously did not justify the womans sin. Our tolerance and respect for others and their beliefs does not cause us to abandon our commitment to the truths we understand and the covenants we have made. A leavenyeastis hidden away in the larger mass until the whole is leavened, which means raised by its influence. Second, a righteous judgment will be guided by the Spirit of the Lord, not by anger, revenge, jealousy, or self-interest. President Oaks said religious liberty faces serious challenges around the world, such as secularism, authoritarianism, political correctness and deteriorating attitudes toward religion. 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. . Because of Gods plan and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be cleansed by the process of repentance. He knows the truth. Helping the Poor and Distressed. . In the words of President Joseph F. Smith: We believe in all truth, no matter to what subject it may refer. In other words, are we responsible to look after the well-being of our neighbors as we seek to earn our daily bread? See Riots in Britain: Anarchy in the UK, Leaders,The Economist,400, no. 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 all make judgments in choosing our friends, in choosing how we will spend our time and our money, and, of course, in choosing an eternal companion. . . Amen. On August 25, 2000, he married Kristen M. McMain in the Salt Lake Temple. The scriptures give a specific caution against judging where we cannot know all the facts. And furthermore, what about the value of our work in the world? . I express them as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, but I believe that most of these ideas are shared by believers generally. I am loyal to the chosen servants of the Lord, whom I sustain with all my heart. I kept glaring at them, hoping that they would take the hint, but they didnt seem to notice. The doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. The Saviors Golden Rule says we are. . The following is a summary of what he said. He declared, I have many things to say and to judge of you (John 8:26) and For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see (John 9:39). Dallin H. Oaks: Kindness Is Powerful. Beware of the wordtolerance. The effect of one mortals attempting to pass final judgment on another mortal is analogous to the effect on athletes and observers if we could proclaim the outcome of an athletic contest with certainty while it was still underway. As one who knows, I invite you to believe on my words. [Matthew 11:2830]. For example, even though religious beliefs are behind many criminal laws, and some family laws, such laws have a long-standing history of appropriateness in democratic societies. 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. By this means we will contribute to the civility that is essential topreserve our civilization. 8, 11). 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. It is too vast, too arduous, for any one people. As members of the restored Church, we need to be more aware and more appreciative of the service of others.Quote #2: Modern revelation teaches that our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. By this, all the children of God are enlightened to serve Him and one another to the best of their knowledge and ability. With the love and mutual respect taught by divine commandments, President Oaks said. 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 . The question posed by the second commandment is What is our ultimate priority?. 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. That's amazing. The Book of Mormon tells of the resurrected Lord visiting some of the people of the Americas. She died July 21, 1998. 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. 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. In earlier times the Savior had declared, I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). . As John Adams declared: Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. I am a survivor of childhood physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. 21 Oct 1975 . Are we our brothers keepers? We are to live in the world but not be of the world. What does tolerance mean to us and to other believers, and what are our special challenges in applying it? On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. This philosophy of moral relativism denies what millions of believing Christians, Jews, and Muslims consider fundamental, and this denial creates serious problems for all of us. 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. In applying the sometimes competing demands of truth and tolerance in these three behaviors and many others, we should not be tolerant with ourselves. If you're aware of any talks available online that aren't listed here, please let me know. From these we magnify a mood into a character and an episode into a life. . I wonder if persons who cannot handle an honest mistake without abusing the actor can stand up to having their own mistakes judged by so severe a standard. By falling short of righteous standards, we place ourselves in jeopardy of being judged by incorrect or unrighteous standards ourselves. [Lord, I Would Follow Thee,Hymns,1985, no. Many areas of the law are based on Judeo-Christian morality and have been for centuries. 218 University Press Building
The Lords way of final judgment will be to apply his perfect knowledge of the law a person has received and to judge on the basis of that persons circumstances, motives, and actions throughout his or her entire life (see Luke 12:4748, John 15:22, 2 Nephi 9:25). I have chosen to speak about truth because teachers in schools, colleges, and universities are teaching and practicing relative morality. . 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. : but judge righteous judgment (JST, Matthew 7:12; see also John 7:24, Alma 41:14). How can we have the Spirit of the Lord to guide our choices? 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. Consequently, we should be alert to honor the good we should see in all people and in many opinions and practices that differ from our own. 11:1011). 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). As we draw farther from worldliness, we feel closer to our Father in Heaven and more able to be guided by his Spirit. 220]. Profanity is profoundly offensive to those who worship the God whose name is desecrated. Library General Conference Speakers Dallin H. Oaks. 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. [JD19:78]. Reverent and Clean. There are important restraints upon our intermediate judgments, but the presumption of innocence is not one of them. Howeverand here I express asecond absolute truththis living with differences is what the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us we must do. Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. President Oaks talks cover topics like desire, repentance, and trust in the Lord. 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. . The Relief Society has great significance for every member of the Church. (Church Newsroom), New BYU opera professor performs as featured soloist for Tabernacle Choir, Orchestras summer concert, Video of the Day: West Virginia city adopts stray cat as mascot, Gov. Perhaps we should explain our belief that our observance of the Sabbath, including our partaking of the sacrament, restores us spiritually and makes us better people for the rest of the week. 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. Similar reasoning forbids our presuming to make final judgments on the outcome of any persons lifelong mortal contest. Each of us is part of a great family, the human family, sons and daughters of God, and therefore brothers and sisters. I will not be judged for what happened to me, but I will be judged by how I let it affect my life. You will need to understand how our efforts in the public square are informed by the balance between truth and tolerance. There is a doctrine underlying the subject of gospel judging. . The Savior taught, Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven (Luke 6:37). In the intermediate judgments we must make, we should take care to judge righteously. Let us be involved in good community causes. For example, we must all deplore murder or other terrorist behavior, even when done by extremists in the name of religion. Last months widespread rioting and pillaging in Britain and the scandalous, widespread cheating by teachers on state-mandated tests in elementary and middle schools in Atlanta, Georgia, have caused many to wonder whether we are losing the moral foundation Western countries have received from their Judeo-Christian heritage.3. Please now consider the following sections of the Church Handbook of Instructions. We would even apply the wrong standards. What we get from a bookespecially a sacred textis mostly dependent on what we take to its readingin desire and readiness to learn, and in attunement to the light communicated by the Spirit of the Lord. Would it have hurt Mary to have joined us in serving, then we all could have sat down to hear the Lord together? 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. He practiced law and taught law in Chicago. 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. 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. . Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers. The desires we act on determine our changing, our achieving, and our becoming. Giving to those in need the poor and distressed is a principle in all Abrahamic religions, and in others as well. He is a native of Provo, Utah (born . 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. April 1985, Sunday afternoon session. on Dallin H. Oaks Quotes From Every General Conference, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Angel Moroni, Come Follow Me 2023: New Testament Resources. As the Book of Mormon teaches: All things which are good cometh of God. Later, in the sublime teachings the Savior gave his apostles on the eve of his suffering and the Atonement, he said: A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. Top credite nebancare. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. We have not sufficient wisdom, our minds are not filled with the knowledge and power of God. Ye shall know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:1516); and Go ye out from among the wicked (D&C 38:42). Let us consider some principles or ingredients that lead to a righteous judgment.. We also need focus to avoid what is harmful. , I do not need to condemn or judge my abusers nor be part of the punishment. Is Jim Bridger Responsible for What Happened to the Donner Party? Tolerance is defined as a friendly and fair attitude toward unfamiliar opinions and practices or toward the persons who hold or practice them. We can all pray for desire to help with this vital part of the work of salvation. But I can change the future. Introductory Message. 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. Our duty to truth requires us to seek relief from some behavior that is wrong. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil. [Simon, I Have Somewhat to Say unto Thee, pp. I no longer view myself as a victim. A recentEnsignarticle by an anonymous victim of childhood sexual abuse illustrates the contrast between judging situations and judging persons. 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. 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. . Some say that attending church meetings is not helping them. 15. [Moroni 7:1214]. Spiritual food is necessary for spiritual survival. Show Timeline. . When we seek the truth about religion, we should use spiritual methods appropriate for that search. 2730; emphasis in original]. He is a native of Provo, Utah (born in 1932). Russell M. Nelson Dallin H. Oaks Henry B. Eyring Also implicated due to his historic position as Presiding Bishop is Gary E. Stevenson. 50 of The Best Talks of All Times From The General Conference of First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ Calls 164 New Mission Leaders 95 Best Quotes From The Laws of Human Nature, Top 45 Best Quotes from Grit by Angela Lee Duckworth, 34 Best Quotes From Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, Top 30 Quotes From Start With Why by Simon Sinek. BYU Speeches
BYU Studies sponsors FromtheDesk.org as part of its mission to publish scholarship informed by the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. . Elder Dallin H. Oaks Opposition in All Things. 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 The intensity of our desire to share the gospel is a great indicator of the extent of our personal conversion. . Learn more about the Dallin H. Oaks biography, In the Hands of the Lord. Check out our dallin h oaks selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. 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. The following is a summary of what he said. 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. . Recall the survey data I mentioned earlier, suggesting that about three-quarters of all college seniors believe thedifference between right and wrong is relative. Please! Guided by heaven in this righteous cause, our words will be sweet and find place in the hearts of many. How should we react toward and communicate with them? What do you do?. Dallin H. Oaks quotes cover more than 30 years. I must hear both sides of the question. It is this suspended judgment that is the supreme form of charity. The Church Handbook of Instructions 32.0 states: He talked about "good, better and best " choices. . 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. Last year, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was invited to participate in Indiana. . 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. He loves us, and all that He does is for our eternal benefit. It will refrain from declaring that a person has been assured of exaltation or from dismissing a person as being irrevocably bound for hellfire. . You whom I address shun evil and seek truth. President Oaks' conference talk summary We believe in absolute truth, including the existence of God and the right and wrong established by His commandments. President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, waves while holding his wife Sister Kristen Oaks' hand inside the Conference Center during the Saturday evening session of the 192nd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Misery is more than unhappiness, sorrow, or suffering. It really is the answer. Satan says we are not. . . Divine Love in the Father's Plan. He is the author or co-author of many books and articles on religious and legal subjects. For most followers of Christ, our sacrifices involve what we can do on a day-to-day basis in our ordinary personal lives. 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. (Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the governing First Presidency, speaks at General Conference about the U.S . We believe in absolute truth, including the existence of God and the right and wrong established by His commandments. If there are more that I have missed, please let me know and I will add them to the list. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world (3 Ne. 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. 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). . October 2022. 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. First: Truth. President Dallin H. Oaks stated, "The Lord is all powerful. as the daylight is from the dark night. The talk was timely, according to political and legal sources, because while politicians, pundits and social media . . Persons who dont believe in God or in absolute truth in moral matters can see themselves as the most tolerant of persons. . By this, all the children of God are enlightened to serve Him and one another to the best of their knowledge and ability.. He simply told her that he did not condemn herthat is, he would not pass final judgment on her at that time. 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. For reasons we do not understand, we have different challenges in our mortal experiences. . Our relationship to God and the purpose of earth life are explained in terms of the family. . When we do thisand there is great temptation to do sowe hurt ourselves and the person we pretend to judge. Here I remember a conversation with an LDS newspaperwoman who described what happened when she reported that the Prophet Joseph Smith received the golden plates in 1826a mistake of one year from the actual date of 1827. A Conversation with Dallin H. Oaks, President of Brigham Young University Ensign. 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).