After months of listening to arguments back and forth on people's feeling on Proposition 8, I was happy to find that sometimes the best answer is the one that comes from the Lord. The following are excerpts from a talk Neal A. Maxwell gave at BYU in October of 1978, and was printed in the February 1979 Ensign. It was entitled, "A More Determined Discipleship."
"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. 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.'
"This is hard doctrine, but it is 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. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . 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. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened aslumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."--- Elder Neal A. Maxwell
Unfortunately this is more than just some people wanting to make their opinions known, or loudly standing behind what they think, not caring if others judge them. Anyone can forcefully argue their feelings and thoughts. Sometimes it's about following those who are the mouthpiece for the Lord, and receive instruction from him. It's not just a matter of ones feelings on the matter. It's a matter of faith in his servants.
3 years ago
4 comments:
Megann! I didn't even know you had a blog! Now I can keep up with you!
I hope Prop 8 passes. I care about that more than who wins the Presidency. It really feels like there is a lot at stake here. But as was prophesied, the Constitution will hang by a thread in the last days. If this isn't an obvious example, I don't know what is!
Good on ya', Meggs! I'm glad you posted this. I especially liked that part where it said that some skirmishes might be lost. It helps me realize that even if Prop 8 doesn't pass (which hopefully won't happen), it won't stop the Lord's work from moving forward. Even if you're part of the "unpopular" crowd (or idea in this case), it's important people still know where you stand. And even moreso, that the Lord knows where you stand. That's always much harder than going along with whatever is popular or trendy like so many people--especially LDS people--have done with this issue.
I'm coming to terms with all of these ideas too. I'm glad for a firm testimony and deep resolve to follow the prophets. I'm sure I'll need all of that in the years to come.
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