"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. (See 1 Kgs. 18:21.)
President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had “never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1941, p. 123). This is a hard doctrine, but it is a particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ!
We are now entering a time of incredible ironies. Let us cite but one of these ironies which is yet in its subtle stages: We will see a maximum, if indirect, effort made to establish 'irreligion' as the state religion. It is actually a new form of paganism which uses the carefully preserved and cultivated freedoms of western civilization to shrink freedom... Brothers and sisters, irreligion as the state religion would be the worst of all combinations... Its Caesars would be insufferably condescending. Its majorities—when faced with clear alternatives—will make the Barabbas choice, as did a mob centuries ago when Pilate confronted them with the need to decide.
This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.
...Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel…
The disciple will be puzzled at times, too. But he persists. Later he rejoices and exclaims over how wonderfully things fit together, realizing, only then, that with God—things never were apart! It is a doctrine for the deep believer and will only bring scorn from the skeptic...God bless you and keep you, my special friends, to the end that you will carry out each and every assignment given to you so very long ago."
-- Neal A. Maxwell, “A More Determined Discipleship,” Ensign, Feb 1979, pg. 69–73 (Taken from an address delivered in October of 1978)
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President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had “never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1941, p. 123). This is a hard doctrine, but it is a particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ!
We are now entering a time of incredible ironies. Let us cite but one of these ironies which is yet in its subtle stages: We will see a maximum, if indirect, effort made to establish 'irreligion' as the state religion. It is actually a new form of paganism which uses the carefully preserved and cultivated freedoms of western civilization to shrink freedom... Brothers and sisters, irreligion as the state religion would be the worst of all combinations... Its Caesars would be insufferably condescending. Its majorities—when faced with clear alternatives—will make the Barabbas choice, as did a mob centuries ago when Pilate confronted them with the need to decide.
This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.
...Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel…
The disciple will be puzzled at times, too. But he persists. Later he rejoices and exclaims over how wonderfully things fit together, realizing, only then, that with God—things never were apart! It is a doctrine for the deep believer and will only bring scorn from the skeptic...God bless you and keep you, my special friends, to the end that you will carry out each and every assignment given to you so very long ago."
-- Neal A. Maxwell, “A More Determined Discipleship,” Ensign, Feb 1979, pg. 69–73 (Taken from an address delivered in October of 1978)
Read the rest of the article here>>
wow kells, nicely put! love you!
ReplyDeleteWell, Neal said it, I just pasted it. Awesome words from the man.
ReplyDeleteI think he pretty much nailed it with this: "Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened."
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty rad to have such amazing apostles called.
thank you for posting that. i have been so sad to see the persecution the church has had to bear over the last few days. and i've been sad as close friends publicly denounced the church's counsel over this. david & i have talked about being a believer in God and his prophets... and the rest is made clear.
ReplyDelete