dallin h oaks conference talks

We are cast as combatants in the war between truth and error. This greater exposure to diversity both enriches our lives and complicates them. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. We meet on 9/11, the tenth anniversary of an event that has profoundly influenced our lives and thinking and will do so for many years to come. [Matthew 11:2830]. (See D&C 20:77.) . Second, a righteous judgment will be guided by the Spirit of the Lord, not by anger, revenge, jealousy, or self-interest. April 1986, Sunday morning session. 21 Oct 1975 . Do not be deceived; behind that faade is heartache, unhappiness, and pain. If there are more that I have missed, please let me know and I will add them to the list. Whenever possible we should refrain from judging people until we have an adequate knowledge of the facts. Did you enjoy these Dallin H. Oaks quotes? 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). We also need focus to avoid what is harmful. In the words of President Joseph F. Smith: We believe in all truth, no matter to what subject it may refer. He has been an officer or member of the board of many business, educational, and charitable organizations. Tolerance is often demanded but seldom returned. 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. 1015]. I just reread it and appreciate the good counsel he gave. In most cases this decision can depend on how directly we are personally affected by it. 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. Required fields are marked *. By this, all the children of God are enlightened to serve Him and one another to the best of their knowledge and ability.. 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. 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. A final ingredient or principle of a righteous judgment is that it will apply righteous standards. There is one qualification to this principle that we should not judge people without an adequate knowledge of the facts. Today and tomorrow would need to include two talks per day, then after that read one talk per day. I love the words in Susan Evans McClouds familiar hymn: Who am I to judge another My dear young brothers and sisters, Kristen and I feel privileged to be with you on this significant occasion. After the crowd who intended to stone her had departed, Jesus asked her about her accusers: Hath no man condemned thee? (John 8:10). Jesus told the Roman governor Pilate that He came into the world to bear witness unto the truth., What is truth? that unbeliever responded. . Let us be involved in good community causes. The Book of Mormon tells of the resurrected Lord visiting some of the people of the Americas. Profanity is profoundly offensive to those who worship the God whose name is desecrated. With the love and mutual respect taught by divine commandments, President Oaks said. 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. This belief system can tolerate almost any behavior and almost any persons. Did Herod the Great Claim to Be the Messiah? 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. When I walk imperfectly? . 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. He was set apart as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostlesin April 7,1984. Many areas of the law are based on Judeo-Christian morality and have been for centuries. . . [Simon, I Have Somewhat to Say unto Thee, pp. 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. . 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. . [Arthur R. Bassett, Floods, Winds, and the Gates of Hell,Ensign,June 1991, p. 8]. I am speaking to an audience of Latter-day Saints who believe in God and in absolute truth. Alsosee other collected talk by Church Leaders. 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. By falling short of righteous standards, we place ourselves in jeopardy of being judged by incorrect or unrighteous standards ourselves. 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). 2730; emphasis in original]. Dallin H. Oaks was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this CES devotional address was given on 11 September 2011. Copyright 2017-2023 Kurt Manwaring, All Rights Reserved. See Heidi S. Swinton,To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson(Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2010), especially chapters 25 and 28 and pages 46263. We can set and act upon high standards for ourselves or our homes without condemning those who do otherwise. It is a very unstable virtue.12. 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. In the quiet heart is hidden 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 . Even He refrained from a final mortal judgment of the woman taken in adultery. On another occasion he said, Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment (John 7:24). When we understand our relationship to God, we also understand our relationship to one another. 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. 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. Opposition permits us to grow toward what our Heavenly Father would have us become. 3740]. That is how we qualify for the promised blessings. 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. I love that truth that although I need to evaluate situations . 8746 (1319 August 2011): 14; Patrik Jonsson, Is the US a Nation of Liars? US News,The Christian Science Monitor,103, no. If the cohabitation does involve us personally, we should be governed by our duty to truth. One judges a painting by the full view of the whole canvas; separate isolated square inches of colour are meaningless. . The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to put ourselves in tune with the Spirit. I am loyal to the chosen servants of the Lord, whom I sustain with all my heart. See the complete list of abbreviations here. The best known of these is "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (3 Nephi 14:1, Matthew 7:1). Once an accepted part of American life, religion is now suspect in the minds of many. BYU Speeches Content licensed under CC BY 4.0 unless otherwise noted. How can we have the Spirit of the Lord to guide our choices? We all remember how a prophet reacted from a hospital bed when an operating room attendant stumbled and cursed in his presence. He and his late wife, June Dixon Oaks, are the parents of six children. 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. On August 25, 2000, he married Kristen M. McMain in the Salt Lake Temple. deaton funeral home, red bay, al obituaries. In other words, are we responsible to look after the well-being of our neighbors as we seek to earn our daily bread? 4. If a person you have trusted with your property has been indicted for embezzlement, would you continue to leave him in charge of your life savings? You cannot possess or use the coin of tolerance without being conscious of both sides. . Some Christians look on this as the time when individuals are assigned to heaven or hell. 4 May 1971 Naming of a New President BYU Devotional - Oaks Inauguration. 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. We have not sufficient wisdom, our minds are not filled with the knowledge and power of God. That is the spirit of the two-sided coin of truth and tolerance. I dont need to entertain thoughts of revenge. that which is good and of God to be of the devil. They are directions away from pitfalls, and they are invitations to blessings. He simply told her that he did not condemn herthat is, he would not pass final judgment on her at that time. Elder Dallin H Oaks; sacrifice; sanity; self care; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; widow; March 2023 (1) February 2023 (2) President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke during the Saturday morning session of October 2022 general conference. Someone has said that you cannot slice cheese so fine that it doesnt have two sides. He is a native of Provo, Utah (born . The fundamental scripture on the whole subject of not judging contains this warning: For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again (Matthew 7:2; see also 3 Nephi 14:2). 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 . (See John 18:3738.). For reasons we do not understand, we have different challenges in our mortal experiences. October 2021. Often the command to forgive (see D&C 64:10) seems almost more than one can bear, but this eternal principle can bring lasting peace. He will be just. Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. I have chosen to heal myself and pass on to my children what I have learned. President [Spencer W.] Kimball taught that the moment we begin preaching to others, our testimony is ended. We do not need to judge nearly so much as we think we do. . So informed, her visitor and others spoke criticisms of her children for neglecting their mother. Joseph G. Donders (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2005), 21013; Harold Kushner,Who Needs God(New York: Summit, 1989), 8384. 9. . A standard can be unrighteous because it is too harshthe consequences are too severe for the gravity of the wrong and the needs of the wrongdoer. We should not add to the extremism that divides our society. by Giuseppe Martinengo | Sep 11, 2019 | All Talks | 0 comments. I used the principle of forgiveness to strengthen me.[Journey to Healing, p. 22]. . The parents have insisted that he not smoke in their home or in front of his younger siblings. 16. Today we're diving into "Helping the Poor and Distressed" by Dallin H. Oaks. Those of us with more of Martha than of Mary in us . We should all be edified and strengthened by this example of speaking both tolerance and truth: kindness in the communication, but firmness in the truth. Trust Him." As our confidence in God goes up, our fear goes down. The friend could read lips, but since I was discussingas I often dowith my back to the class, writing at the chalkboard and talking over my shoulder, my student had been translating for her friend, telling her what I was saying. President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke during the Saturday morning session of October 2022 general conference. In revelation the Lord added this parable for modern Zion: Set . As described by an attorney supporting a Lutheran school in a case now before the United States Supreme Court, the big concern is the ability of people of all faiths to work out their relationship with God and one another without the government looking over their shoulder.10That is why we need understanding and supportincludingyourunderstanding and supportwhen we must contend for religious freedom. We give thanks for commandments. 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. Profanity used out of our presence by nonbelievers probably would not be an occasion for us to confront the offenders. [Moroni 7:1214]. 35 (25 July 2011): 2021; csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2011/0719/Is-US-a-nation-of-liars-Casey-Anthony-isn-t-the-only-one. 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. 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 have chosen to speak about truth because teachers in schools, colleges, and universities are teaching and practicing relative morality. We Latter-day Saints are sometimes accused of being self-righteous and intolerant of others, especially where we are in the majority or where others are in the majority and our beliefs cause us to oppose them. 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. . Giving to those in need the poor and distressed is a principle in all Abrahamic religions, and in others as well. 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 is a native of Provo, Utah (born in 1932). On Sabbath observance, Latter-day Saints know that we are taught to observe the Sabbath day in a different way than many other Christians. 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. Is Jim Bridger Responsible for What Happened to the Donner Party? Oh Say, What Is Truth?Hymns,2002, no. [The Supreme Charity of the World,The Kingship of Self-Control(Old Tappan, New Jersey: Revell, n.d.), pp. . We would even apply the wrong standards. Commandments mark the path and show us the way to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. Elder Oaks is a graduate of Brigham Young University (1954) and of The University of Chicago Law School (1957). Like many scriptures, this commandment has multiple meanings. In contrast to forbidding mortals to make final judgments, the scriptures require mortals to make what I will call intermediate judgments. These judgments are essential to the exercise of personal moral agency. A gospel teacher, like the Master we serve, will concentrate entirely on those being taught. Even the Savior, during his mortal ministry, refrained from making final judgments. 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. 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. . A fifth principle of a righteous intermediate judgment is that whenever possible we will refrain from judging people and only judge situations. Clothed in a white robe, he descended out of heaven. This is beyond what Latter-day Saints do in callings, in member-to-member service and individually with innumerable charitable organizations. 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. She said she received about 10 phone calls from outraged Latter-day Saints who would not accept her admission of error and sincere apology and berated her with abusive language. Third,believers should not be deterred by the familiar charge that they are trying to legislate morality. Charles Francis Adams, 10 vols. Letter to Dallin H. Oaks, 22 December 1987. 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. Common Misunderstandings about Brigham Young. He talked about "good, better and best " choices. This is the second time in two years that a leader of the Church was invited to speak at the summit. . First,when believers in Jesus Christ take their views of truth into the public square, they must seek the inspiration of the Lord to be selective and wise in choosing which true principles they seek to promote by law or executive action. 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. President Oaks talks cover topics like desire, repentance, and trust in the Lord. . . Faith is essential for healing by the powers of heaven. On the foundation belief in right and wrong, there is an alarming contrast between the older and the younger generations. I am responsible for my actions and what I do with my knowledge. Two experiences illustrate the importance of caution in judging. President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, speaks during the Saturday morning session of the 192nd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Oct. 1, 2022. I cannot change the past. But the rebuke would not have come had Martha not prompted it. When we do thisand there is great temptation to do sowe hurt ourselves and the person we pretend to judge. In doing so, we Latter-day Saints rely on the truth we sing in the hymn I quoted earlier: The pillar of truth will endure to the last, And its firm-rooted bulwarks outstand the rude blast, And the wreck of the fell tyrants hopes.7. Last update: May 2022. BYU Studies sponsors FromtheDesk.org as part of its mission to publish scholarship informed by the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. A Conversation with Dallin H. Oaks, President of Brigham Young University Ensign. And, in all of this, we must remember the command to forgive. We should be strong in keeping the commandments and our covenants, and we should repent and improve when we fall short. Reverent and Clean. Cohabitation we know to be a serious sin in which Latter-day Saints must not engage, whatever the circumstances.