I received a portion of this article from my bishop this morning, and felt inspired to study the entire thing. So here goes my study....
First of all, before reading this article, I think it fitting to see the date... It was given 30 years and 9 days ago. And yet it almost seems tailor made for our situation now...
The first point I find interesting is this...
"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.)" Elder Maxwell uses 1 Kings as an example ... and I love this story. Sometimes I think it would be nice to gather all those who oppose the prophets and have a "duel" like they did here. But the truth is that the people probably still wouldn't believe.
Another point I liked about this talk was this -
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!
Just in talking with people, and seeing comments on facebook, I realize that this truly is a hard doctrine for some. But it is wise and true doctrine that we must follow.
It is one I like to read over and over again.
The next point I found interesting, especially in the wake of the Prop 8 "riots" was this...
If people, however, are not permitted to advocate, to assert, and to bring to bear, in every legitimate way, the opinions and views they hold which grow out of their religious convictions, what manner of men and women would we be?
... And if our governments and schools were to fail us, would we be able to fall back upon and rely upon the institution of the family, when so many secular movements seek to shred it?
It may well be that as our time comes to “suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41), some of that special stress will grow out of that portion of discipleship which involves citizenship.
This verse from Acts 5 is a goal of mine... here the apostles were beaten for holding true to their convictions and standing firm in their testimonies... and yet ...they departed from the presence of the council, arejoicing that they were counted worthy to bsuffer cshame for his dname. (42) And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and apreach Jesus Christ.
Would I leave from a situation like that "rejoicing" to be counted worthy to suffer shame... and would I go again and "cease not" to teach and preach of Jesus Christ...
To finish off my post of this study (because work is over) I will end with this...
If the challenge of the secular church becomes very real, let us, as in all other relationships, be principled but pleasant. Let us be perceptive without being pompous. Let us have integrity and not write checks with our tongues which our conduct cannot cash.
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” (Matt. 24:32). Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat!
I miss the eloquence of Elder Maxwell... And I love his council...
Its a great talk and it is time for a More Determined Discipleship... Happy studying...
Click here for the Talk
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