15. From our love of God and our fellowmen, we acquire our desire to share that great gift with everyone. Having discussed the balancing of truth and tolerance in our personal behavior and in our relations with associates, I come to a different and more difficult circumstance. Alsosee other collected talk by Church Leaders. Whenever possible we should refrain from judging people until we have an adequate knowledge of the facts. . After the crowd who intended to stone her had departed, Jesus asked her about her accusers: Hath no man condemned thee? (John 8:10). For example, I know of an LDS family with an older teenage son who has become addicted to smoking. Many areas of the law are based on Judeo-Christian morality and have been for centuries. Speaking at BYU a decade later, a Muslim scholar, Dr. Alwi Shihab, an Indonesian, elaborated that idea in these words: To tolerate something is to learn to live with it, even when you think it is wrong and downright evil. April 2022. We live in a world where more and more persons of influence are teaching and acting out a belief that there is no absolute right and wrong, that all authority and all rules of behavior are man-made choices that can prevail over the commandments of God. 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. I have chosen to speak about truth because teachers in schools, colleges, and universities are teaching and practicing relative morality. Truth and Tolerance - Dallin H. Oaks - BYU Speeches A Relief Society worker visiting a sister in her ward asked whether the womans married children ever visited her. The scripture is familiar. We should not add to the extremism that divides our society. That is athirdabsolute truth: We do not abandon the truth and our covenants. We sing: Tho the heavens depart and the earths fountains burst,Truth, the sum of existence, will weather the worst,Eternal, unchanged, evermore.1. Similarly, with our children and others we have a duty to teachsuch as in our Church callingsour duty to truth is paramount. There is one qualification to this principle that we should not judge people without an adequate knowledge of the facts. For the goal of all human relationswhether they are religious, social, political, or economicought to be cooperation and mutual respect.9. Perfect love is charity. Summary of President Oaks' talk. 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. October 2022 conference featured 35 messages over the five sessions. [Simon, I Have Somewhat to Say unto Thee, pp. The character of transgression remains the same. He spoke of helping the poor and distressed not just what the Church is doing but what is being done worldwide. . . , not according to what they have not, but according to what they have, those who have lived without law, will be judged without law, and those who have a law, will be judged by that law. 272. What are we thinking of to let you do all this work alone? Sign up to receive free emails each time we publish new content, like Russell M. Nelson quotes and links to Brad Wilcox talks. Introductory Message. Spirituality. 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. I am not to blame for what happened to me as a child. He also said religious freedom is the DNA of The Church of Jesus Christ. Today I will speak about gospel judging. I will leave it in his hands. President Oaks said religious liberty faces serious challenges around the world, such as secularism, authoritarianism, political correctness and deteriorating attitudes toward religion. Jesus calling october 18 2022 - rfnv.lehmann-druck.de as the daylight is from the dark night. . This is a harder question for those who affirm the existence of God and absolute truth than for those who believe in moral relativism. Once an accepted part of American life, religion is now suspect in the minds of many. No sect or religious denomination in the world possesses a single principle of truth that we do not accept or that we will reject. . 8, 11). . It is not a sermon. Guided by heaven in this righteous cause, our words will be sweet and find place in the hearts of many. Provo, Utah 84602, Simon, I Have Somewhat to Say unto Thee: Judgment and Condemnation in the Parables of Jesus. We should address prayers to our Heavenly Father in words which speakers of that language associate with love and respect and reverence and closeness. Marthas self-importance, expressed through her judgment of her sister, occasioned the Lords rebuke, not her busyness with the meal. Those of us with more of Martha than of Mary in us . . This Christmas, as with every Christmas, we focus on loving one another just as our Savior loved us. Dallin H. Oaks. . Who am I to judge another? Amen. [We need]the courage to say, I dont know. The most fundamental principle is contained in the Saviors commandment that we judge not unrighteously . Fourth,believers should not shrink from seeking laws to maintain public conditions or policies that assist them in practicing the requirements of their faith where those conditions or policies are also favorable to the public health, safety, or morals. This belief system can tolerate almost any behavior and almost any persons. I begin with three absolute truths. We are to beinthe world, but notofthe world. The intensity of our desire to share the gospel is a great indicator of the extent of our personal conversion. For most followers of Christ, our sacrifices involve what we can do on a day-to-day basis in our ordinary personal lives. Two hypotheticals illustrate this principle: 1. April 2022. We can speak of principles rather than personalities.17. I have found that observance of the Sabbath is almost obsolete. 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. I have felt impressed to speak this evening about another set of twins, the twin ideas of Truth and Tolerance. October 1986, Saturday afternoon session. As President Thomas S. Monson taught us in the conference where he was sustained as our prophet: My young friends, be strong. Common Misunderstandings about Brigham Young. God inspires many organizations and individuals to do much good, and more Church members should recognize and support the good done by others. Search for biographies: Dallin H. Oaks [Teachings,p. 218]. . The article begins with heart-wrenching words and with true statements of eternal principles. (See John 18:3738.). 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. That is why we have commandments and ordinances. 220]. I have chosen to heal myself and pass on to my children what I have learned. Last update: May 2022. Today and tomorrow would need to include two talks per day, then after that read one talk per day. Even He refrained from a final mortal judgment of the woman taken in adultery. bid her therefore that she help me (v. 40). Then he delivers the gentle but clear rebuke. Oh Say, What Is Truth?Hymns,2002, no. Perfect love casteth out fear. Profanity used out of our presence by nonbelievers probably would not be an occasion for us to confront the offenders. Wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. I cannot change the past. We witness that we are willing to do so. 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. If there are more that I have missed, please let me know and I will add them to the list. 46:19. Church leaders are specifically commanded to judge. [Arthur R. Bassett, Floods, Winds, and the Gates of Hell,Ensign,June 1991, p. 8]. Conference talk by President Oaks cheers Latter-day Saints backing 11. Spiritual food is necessary for spiritual survival. I will, therefore, limit myself to describing four paramount principles that should govern such an effort. Thus, the Lord said to Alma: Whosoever transgresseth against me, him shall ye judge according to the sins which he has committed; and if he confess his sins before thee and me, and repenteth in the sincerity of his heart, him shall ye forgive, and I will forgive him also. We misinterpret motives, do not know facts, and judge from wrong standards. 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? We sing: Tho the heavens depart and the earth's fountains burst,Truth, the sum of existence, will weather the worst,Eternal, unchanged, evermore.1. 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. 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. 4. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great (Doctrine and Covenants 64:33). . 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. Martha received Jesus into her house and worked to provide for him while her sister Mary sat at Jesus feet and heard his word. [Mosiah 26:29, 32]. The STANDS4 Network . Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. 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. To them it has become something that must prove its legitimacy as a part of our public life. 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. We must work harder to build mutual respect, an attitude of forbearance, with tolerance one for another regardless of the doctrines and philosophies which we may espouse.8, Note that President Hinckley spoke of mutual respect as well as tolerance. . . The talk was timely, according to political and legal sources, because while politicians, pundits and social media . I love the words in Susan Evans McClouds familiar hymn: Who am I to judge another This is essential whenever we attempt to act upon different standards than those of others with whom we must associateat home, at work, or in the community. Russell M. Nelson Dallin H. Oaks Henry B. Eyring Also implicated due to his historic position as Presiding Bishop is Gary E. Stevenson. Do not be deceived; behind that faade is heartache, unhappiness, and pain. President Oaks quotes cover topics like desire, repentance, and trust in the Lord. 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 to live in the world but not be of the world. But in such instances we can politely disagree without being disagreeable. We have not sufficient wisdom, our minds are not filled with the knowledge and power of God. The Best of Causes, President Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Hugo 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. The Church gives us opportunities to serve the Lord and our fellowmen. It is a very unstable virtue.12. 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. 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. He is a native of Provo, Utah (born in 1932). It requires an object and a response to qualify it as a virtue. Why, oh, why couldnt the Lord have said, Youre absolutely right, Martha. [Matthew 11:2830]. . 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. 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. President Oaks talks cover topics like desire, repentance, and trust in the Lord. A Conversation with Dallin H. Oaks, President of Brigham Young University Ensign. When we do thisand there is great temptation to do sowe hurt ourselves and the person we pretend to judge. 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 . 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. What do you do?. We must also practice tolerance and respect toward others. 10. Whats in the Relief Society General Board Minutes? Helping the Poor and Distressed | Dallin H. Oaks | October 2022 General Learn more about his general conference talks in this compilation. We are cast as combatants in the war between truth and error. The theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints centers on the family. President Oaks address can be read on the Church Newsroom website. You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that. If the cohabitation does involve us personally, we should be governed by our duty to truth. October general conference 2022 talks - Deseret News - Deseret News Did Herod the Great Claim to Be the Messiah? While we are powerless to alter the fact of the Second Coming and unable to know its exact time, we can accelerate our own preparation and try to influence the preparation of those around us. Dallin H. Oaks opened the Sunday afternoon session of the April 3, 2022 general conference by giving a talk titled "Divine Love in the Father's Plan." This is the topic for the rest of the week. I love that truth that although I need to evaluate situations . One judges a painting by the full view of the whole canvas; separate isolated square inches of colour are meaningless. We are taught many small and simple things in the gospel of Jesus Christ. . . [vv. 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. . Dallin H. Oaks Talks and Quotes - FromtheDesk.org A fifth principle of a righteous intermediate judgment is that whenever possible we will refrain from judging people and only judge situations. Home. Lord, I would follow thee. Sometimes urgent circumstances require us to make preliminary judgments before we can get all of the facts we desire for our decision making. That is my Lord whose names you revile. (Improvement Era, May 1953, p. . And we must all oppose violence and thievery. Joseph G. Donders (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2005), 21013; Harold Kushner,Who Needs God(New York: Summit, 1989), 8384. The Church Handbook of Instructions 32.0 states: , I do not need to condemn or judge my abusers nor be part of the punishment. I will speak first of the final judgment. 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). 21 Oct 1975 . 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. . Someone has said that you cannot slice cheese so fine that it doesnt have two sides. We would even apply the wrong standards. This inspired caution reminds us that for persons who believe in absolute truth, tolerance for behavior is like a two-sided coin. We also know that evil exists and that some things are simply, seriously, and everlastingly wrong. April 1985, Sunday afternoon session. I will say no more about the tolerance or intolerance of nonbelievers. [Catherine Corman Parry, Simon, I Have Somewhat to Say unto Thee: Judgment and Condemnation in the Parables of Jesus,Brigham Young University 199091 Devotional and Fireside Speeches[Provo: BYU, 1991], p. 116]. This is a vital matter on which we who believe in a Supreme Being who has established absolute right and wrong in human behavior must unite to insist on our time-honored constitutional rights to exercise our religion, to vote our consciences on public issues, and to participate in elections and debates in the public square and in the halls of justice. He loves us, and all that He does is for our eternal benefit. A gospel teacher does not focus on himself or herself. I am responsible for my actions and what I do with my knowledge. 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. . Jesus answered: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. . [Moroni 7:18]. 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. The Church of Jesus Christ is committed to serving those in need, and it is also committed to cooperating with others in that effort., With partners worldwide, the Church shares the common goal of relieving suffering. 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. . I am loyal to the chosen servants of the Lord, whom I sustain with all my heart. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of love. I dont need to entertain thoughts of revenge. . 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. 11819]. cannot be judged as dress-goodsby a yard or so of sample unrolled from a bolt on the counter. . As part of this, we will sometimes need to challenge laws that would impair our freedom to practice our faiths, doing so in reliance on our constitutional rights to the free exercise of religion. 12. In this way diversity increases the potential for conflict and requires us to be more thoughtful about the nature of tolerance. 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. But we do know that God will help each of us overcome these challenges if we sincerely seek His help. The Parable of the Sower 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. Tolerance, or respect, is on one side of the coin, but truth is always on the other. 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 Oaks teaches that God inspires many organizations and individuals to help those in need and that the Church is committed to work with others in that effort.The Church of Jesus Christ is committed to serving those in need, and it is also committed to cooperating with others in that effort.https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/18oaks For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. The parents have insisted that he not smoke in their home or in front of his younger siblings. 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. . He can make the judgments and the punishments. Charles Francis Adams, 10 vols. 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. A talk a day: How to prepare for April 2023 general conference Last year, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was invited to participate in Indiana. President Oaks gives a powerful talk about service, and all of the amazing good works going on around the world. 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. [Luke 10:4042]. Well all help, and by the way, that centerpiece looks lovely? On the broader question being widely agitated by the atheists of our day, I proclaim my knowledge that God lives! He has an eye trained for the imperfections, the weaknesses. The opposite of joy is misery. LDS Church leader Dallin H. Oaks' speech that no political party aligns You will need to understand how our efforts in the public square are informed by the balance between truth and tolerance. Dallin H. Oaks quotes cover more than 30 years. For reasons we do not understand, we have different challenges in our mortal experiences. That is a wise judgment of a situation, not a person. Apparently he was content to let her serve him however she cared to, until she judged another persons service: Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? 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. Thus, we must refrain from making final judgments on people, because we lack the knowledge and the wisdom to do so. He practiced law and taught law in Chicago. . Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. 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.