[William George Jordan, Sitting in the Seat of Judgment,The Crown of Individuality(New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1909), pp. By this means we will contribute to the civility that is essential topreserve our civilization. A fifth principle of a righteous intermediate judgment is that whenever possible we will refrain from judging people and only judge situations. 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. Someone has said that you cannot slice cheese so fine that it doesnt have two sides. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.15. Even the Savior, during his mortal ministry, refrained from making final judgments. . Our Savior applied this principle. He simply told her that he did not condemn herthat is, he would not pass final judgment on her at that time. We should not presume to exercise and act upon judgments that are outside our personal responsibilities. BYU Studies sponsors FromtheDesk.org as part of its mission to publish scholarship informed by the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. First: Truth. In doing so we stand with angels. The protection promised to the faithful servants of God is a reality today as it was in Bible times. 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. That's amazing. 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. . 1015]. 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. When we seek the truth about religion, we should use spiritual methods appropriate for that search. 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. Even He refrained from a final mortal judgment of the woman taken in adultery. The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to put ourselves in tune with the Spirit. 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. 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. What is tolerance, when does it apply, and when does it not apply? November 04, 2022. Isalute you for your righteous actions and your righteous desires. From these we magnify a mood into a character and an episode into a life. . Ye shall know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:1516); and Go ye out from among the wicked (D&C 38:42). This wise author also treats the importance of forgiveness. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become. We make better choices and decisions if we look at the alternatives and ponder where they will lead. Recently, the Church of Jesus Christ reported for the first time the extent of its humanitarian work worldwide; 2021 expenditures for those in need in 188 countries totaled $906 million, with members also volunteering over 6 million hours of labor. 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. kristen meredith mcmain oaks agered gomphrena globosa magical properties 27 februari, 2023 . [Arthur R. Bassett, Floods, Winds, and the Gates of Hell,Ensign,June 1991, p. 8]. The Need for a Church. Some time ago I attended an adult Sunday School class in a small town in Utah. Let us be involved in good community causes. I love the words in Susan Evans McClouds familiar hymn: Who am I to judge another It will refrain from declaring that a person has forfeited all opportunity for exaltation or even all opportunity for a useful role in the work of the Lord. 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. bid her therefore that she help me. Reverend Dr. Andrew Teal on Finding Christ Through Suffering, Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution, Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Loving Others and Living with Differences, Priesthood Authority in the Family and the Church. April 2022. She died July 21, 1998. I am loyal to the chosen servants of the Lord, whom I sustain with all my heart. Yet we dare to judge our fellow man by single acts and words, misleading glimpses, and deceptive moments of special strain. 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 I no longer view myself as a victim. . 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. Our scriptural accounts of the Saviors mortal life provide the pattern. If you're aware of any talks available online that aren't listed here, please let me know. 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.. Iassure you that my message is true. [JD19:78]. 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). Trust Him." As our confidence in God goes up, our fear goes down. I believe the United States Constitution contains at least five divinely inspired principles. 21 Oct 1975 . 2022. 14. In the balance between truth and tolerance, tolerance can be dominant where the behavior does not involve us personally. Pursuing that principle, the author of theEnsignarticle writes: Somewhere along the journey of healing comes the essential task of forgiving. Are we our brothers keepers? 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 I have been puzzled that some scriptures command us not to judge and others instruct us that we should . With the love and mutual respect taught by divine commandments, President Oaks said. He was set apart as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostlesin April 7,1984. I will, therefore, limit myself to describing four paramount principles that should govern such an effort. I testify of Jesus Christ, the Lord of the vineyard. As one of our Apostles observed: God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of his great and marvelous work. We also know that evil exists and that some things are simply, seriously, and everlastingly wrong. 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. 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. Learn more about the Dallin H. Oaks biography, In the Hands of the Lord. Those of us with more of Martha than of Mary in us . fatal car accident knoxville tn today young and the restless recap today 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? I will speak first of the final judgment. 46:19. The scripture is familiar. He spoke of helping the poor and distressed not just what the Church is doing but what is being done worldwide. 4. 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. 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. Elder Oaks is a graduate of Brigham Young University (1954) and of The University of Chicago Law School (1957). It is a very unstable virtue.12. All rights reserved. 3740]. The worlds way is to judge competitively between winners and losers. . He was called as a member of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1984. Its approach, as counseled by the Prophet Joseph Smith, is to teach correct principles and then leave its members to govern themselves by personal choices. President Oaks shared four suggestions for shouldering religious freedom: (1) recognize that all need each other and are subject to law, (2) urge religious tolerance, (3) let the world know the good that religion does and (4) unite and find common ground to defend and promote religious liberty. But our obligation to truth has its own set of requirements and its own set of blessings. President Oaks said religious liberty faces serious challenges around the world, such as secularism, authoritarianism, political correctness and deteriorating attitudes toward religion. Similar to our article with Russell M. Nelson quotes, this piece includes Dallin H. Oaks quotes from every general conference. No sect or religious denomination in the world possesses a single principle of truth that we do not accept or that we will reject. 12. To them it has become something that must prove its legitimacy as a part of our public life. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team to help you come unto Christ. Content licensed under CC BY 4.0 unless otherwise noted. In the quiet heart is hidden That is the spirit of the two-sided coin of truth and tolerance. Let us be good neighbors, kind and generous and gracious. We witness that we are willing to do so. Learn how your comment data is processed. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. I am very t`hankful that it is not our province . President Dallin H. Oaks stated, "The Lord is all powerful. Did you enjoy these Dallin H. Oaks quotes? In any event, as defenders of the faith, believers can and must seek laws that will preserve religious freedom. . 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. As to less extreme behaviors, where even believers disagree on whether or not they are wrong, the nature and extent of what we should tolerate is much more difficult to define. 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. But that is our role. 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. [Matthew 11:2830]. 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. Guided by heaven in this righteous cause, our words will be sweet and find place in the hearts of many. It is significant that when we partake of the sacrament we do not witness that we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. 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. 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. . Howeverand here I express asecond absolute truththis living with differences is what the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us we must do. Because He loves us, He challenges us to focus on Him instead of the things of this mortal world. Common Misunderstandings about Brigham Young. We can speak of principles rather than personalities.17. President Oaks talks cover topics like desire, repentance, and trust in the Lord. This greater exposure to diversity both enriches our lives and complicates them. Your email address will not be published. . 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 grow and mature spiritually by choosing to obey Gods commandments in a succession of right choices. 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. It was taught when a lawyer asked the Savior, Which is the great commandment in the law? (Matthew 22:36). Let us consider how to apply that example to some other behaviors. Tolerance is defined as a friendly and fair attitude toward unfamiliar opinions and practices or toward the persons who hold or practice them. We would even apply the wrong standards. Learn more about his general conference talks in this compilation. I am devoted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is a companion principle to the commandment that in final judgments we judge not and in intermediate judgments we judge righteously. A Conversation with Dallin H. Oaks, President of Brigham Young University Ensign. 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. Misery is more than unhappiness, sorrow, or suffering. . The question posed by the second commandment is What is our ultimate priority?. 16. . And, in all of this, we must remember the command to forgive. [We need]the courage to say, I dont know. . Whenever possible we should refrain from judging people until we have an adequate knowledge of the facts. . Top 11 Best Quotes From The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, by GamblingMorally Wrong and Politically Unwise (, Education Week devotional (unavailable) June 8, 2001. An apostle's responsibility is to be a special witness of Jesus Christ . . He taught that each of us should follow Him by denying ourselves of selfish interests in order to serve others. 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. . 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. Our civilization is based on morality and cannot exist without it. 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. 220]. 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). Today more than ever before, the blessings of the temple are avail- able to faithful Saints around the world. 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. Recall the survey data I mentioned earlier, suggesting that about three-quarters of all college seniors believe thedifference between right and wrong is relative. President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, speaks during the Saturday morning session of the 191st Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, broadcast from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Oct. 2, 2021. . (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. We can all remember our feelings when a little child cried out and reached up to us for help. Martha received Jesus into her house and worked to provide for him while her sister Mary sat at Jesus feet and heard his word. The fact that we only witness to our willingness suggests that something else must happen before we actually take that sacred name upon us in the most important sense. 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. I will leave it in his hands. President Thomas S. Monson has provided an excellent example of the practice of these twin virtues. He is a native of Provo, Utah (born . . 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 should be strong in keeping the commandments and our covenants, and we should repent and improve when we fall short. We should seek the guidance of the Spirit in our decisions. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. In an essay titled Sitting in the Seat of Judgment, the great essayist William George Jordan reminded us that character. 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). 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. 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. They all come through the mercy and grace of the Holy One of Israel, after all we can do (2 Nephi 25:23). . It will refrain from declaring that a person has been assured of exaltation or from dismissing a person as being irrevocably bound for hellfire. 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. 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). In attempting to answer the question "What have I learned and what ought I to have learned?" I've learned just how incredibly difficult it is to arrive at a consensus in a group without the assistance of a leader, teacher, or arbiter. In this context the wordcondemnapparently refers to the final judgment (see John 3:17). The article begins with heart-wrenching words and with true statements of eternal principles. President Oaks and his late wife, Sister June Dixon Oaks, are the parents of six children. 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). 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. . 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. . The intensity of our desire to share the gospel is a great indicator of the extent of our personal conversion. . . 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. Marthas self-importance, expressed through her judgment of her sister, occasioned the Lords rebuke, not her busyness with the meal. After the class, one of them came to me and apologized that she hadnt explained to me before class that her friend was deaf. 272. In the words of President Joseph F. Smith: We believe in all truth, no matter to what subject it may refer. 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 should limit our judgments to our own stewardships. He knows the truth. 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. On Sabbath observance, Latter-day Saints know that we are taught to observe the Sabbath day in a different way than many other Christians. For reasons we do not understand, we have different challenges in our mortal experiences. Last update: May 2022. Oh Say, What Is Truth?Hymns,2002, no. This is easy to see when it involves extreme behaviors that most believers and nonbelievers recognize as wrong or unacceptable. 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. I love that truth that although I need to evaluate situations . [Teachings,p. 218]. (Boston: Little, Brown, 18501856), 9:229. Sign up to receive free emails each time we publish new content, like Russell M. Nelson quotes and links to Brad Wilcox talks. We give thanks for commandments. 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. . On Aug. 25, 2000, he married Sister. . . judge; for judgment is mine, saith the Lord (Mormon 8:20). President Oaks quotes cover topics like desire, repentance, and trust in the Lord. We should trust in the Lord and be positive about this nations future. If someone wanted to prepare by re-reading the talks from October 2022 conference in order, he or she should start today, Feb. 27, to finish by Friday, March 30. 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.
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