Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "Meeting the Challenges of Today" BYU Devotional,
October 10, 1978.
"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 un-trendy 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 a slumbering 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."
My brother said, "He gave this 30 years ago and he nailed our day." I heartily agree.
Good day to you all.
ps. I wrote this earlier today before church, but didn't publish it yet. During church, we talked about Mormon 8. I think that this topic fits nicely with vs. 28-33.
6 comments:
That's cool (that talk) couldn't have said it better myself.
dang straight.
thanks for sharing the talk.
Rock on!
I love reading you, but I think this takes the cake as my favorite post so far.
1978! My goodness. The GA's know what they're talking about.
Even when we don't.
Just so you know, I got the email first and shared the profound wisdom with Kev. It was so cool, he was desparate to take credit for it, but I continue to keep him honest!
I'm really glad you all appreciated this talk. The General Authorities say things a lot better than I do.
Debbie...there. I corrected it. :)
That is a really cool post. I really liked it. The church is true!!!
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