PerlStalker on Nostr: I was asked to speak in church today based on Dallin H. Oak's talk from Oct. 2024. ...
I was asked to speak in church today based on Dallin H. Oak's talk from Oct. 2024. [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/10/18oaks?lang=eng] Here's the text of the text of my talk.
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Christ was once asked “which is the great commandment in the law?” The first great commandment, he answered, was “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” The second, of course, was “thou shalt turn away from thy neighbor and cause grief to those against whom your righteous indignation is kindled!” No? Let’s double check Matthew 22:39. “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” So close. I joke but it seems that the world would rather live my version of the commandment rather than Christ’s.
Once upon a time people might have spit out a few choice, insulting words about someone they disagreed with. Perhaps they’d even post a profanity laden blog or video on TikTok about how somebody or other was the worst person in the history of forever and try to convince or cajole others to banish the target of their perceived righteous indignation. If only that was it. Just this last week, I saw a number of posts on various social and creator media sites celebrating the murder of the CEO of a large health insurance company. This is the world we live in but we don’t have to accept it and, more importantly, we are commanded not to.
To reiterate what Christ called the second great commandment, “thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Perhaps you recall Matthew 7:12: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” There is an implication to what is so often called the Golden Rule: if you don’t want someone to do it to you, don’t do it to them.
When Jesus Christ, son of the eternal God and savior of the world, says that it is a commandment to love thy neighbor as thyself and says of the Golden Rule that it “is the law and the prophets,” does that mean that these are things that we can ignore? What if it’s just online? What if they belong to a different political party? Of course not!
In every Sacrament meeting, we partake of the sacrament and make a covenant to “always remember him and keep his commandments.” That includes the commandment to love thy neighbor as thyself. Dallin H. Oaks, all the way back in the October 2024 General Conference said:
'This is a time of many harsh and hurtful words in public communications and sometimes even in our families. Sharp differences on issues of public policy often result in actions of hostility—even hatred—in public and personal relationships. This atmosphere of enmity sometimes even paralyzes capacities for lawmaking on matters of importance where most citizens see an urgent need for some action in the public interest."
Do you contribute to the harsh and hurtful words described by President Oaks? He goes on.
"It is significant that among the first principles Jesus taught when He appeared to the Nephites was to avoid contention. While He taught this in the context of disputes over religious doctrine, the reasons He gave clearly apply to communications and relationships in politics, public policy, and family relationships. Jesus taught:
“He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
“Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.”'
Is this another item on the doctrinal buffet that can be passed over when it doesn’t suit our mood? What if they’re really mean or have a bad spray tan? Of course not but let’s add another commandment to the pile, just in case you’re not sure if Christ really, really means it. Here’s Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
Is that easy? For some, absolutely. For others (including myself), absolutely not. Quoting President Oaks again.
'This is one of Christ’s best-known commandments—most revolutionary and most difficult to follow. Yet it is a most fundamental part of His invitation for all to follow Him. As President David O. McKay taught, “There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for one’s fellowmen.”'
It’s hard, sometimes. We all slip up. I was recently scammed by the contractor who I hired to renovate my dad’s house so that we could rent it out. For the last year and a half and especially the last few months as we had to do the work we hired them to do, I’ve had to bite back comment after hateful comment. Am I justified in being upset? Sure. Does that mean that I am exempt from the commandment to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”? Absolutely not. It’s something I’m working through. Most of the time, I do alright. Other times, not so much.
I stream, podcast, and make videos on YouTube. I close every one by quoting what I refer to as Bill’s Law. It’s named for the fictional character Bill S. Preston, esq. who stated it. “Be excellent to each other.” It’s easy to just be nice or polite. It takes effort and a Christ-like attitude to go beyond that and be excellent to each other. It’s not enough to avoid contention. We need to become peacemakers. Listen to these teachings from President Russell M. Nelson as quoted by President Oaks.
'“One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people. …
“… True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers.
“… One of the best ways we can honor the Savior is to become a peacemaker.”
….“Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice. You have your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always.”'
Being a maker of any sort is active. One cannot make anything by doing nothing. Making peace is no different. We can reach out and find common ground. Start there. Listen to what’s being said. Try to understand then reach out in a spirit of peace and love. Again quoting, President Oaks.
"To follow our Perfect Role Model and His prophet, we need to practice what is popularly known as the Golden Rule: “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” We need to love and do good to all. We need to avoid contention and be peacemakers in all our communications. This does not mean to compromise our principles and priorities but to cease harshly attacking others for theirs. That is what our Perfect Role Model did in His ministry. That is the example He set for us as He invited us to follow Him."
We don’t have to agree on everything but we can stand for our principles without launching a flamewar or resorting to hate and vitriol. We can follow Christ’s example and be makers of peace and not makers of hate.
I’ve been using online posts as my examples because it’s so much easier to hide behind the pseudo-anonymity of a user name but all of this applies in person as well. Whether dealing with coworkers, family, or the people in this room, we can and we must be peacemakers. We must love and bless the people around us. As President Nelson said, these are the hallmarks of a true follower of Jesus Christ.
“Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice,” said President Oaks. “It is a continuous commitment and way of life that should guide us at all times and in all places. His teachings and His example define the path for every disciple of Jesus Christ. And all are invited to this path, for He invites all to come unto Him, ‘black and white, bond and free, male and female; … and all are alike unto God.’”
Being a follower of Christ means that we submit ourselves to his will and hold to our covenants to obey his commandments. That includes the commandments of which I’ve been speaking to love our neighbors and avoid contention. President Oaks likened the commandments of God to the string on a kite. Without the string to tether the kite, it will be blown about and eventually crash. As President Oaks explains:
"That essential string represents the covenants that connect us to God, our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ. As we honor those covenants by keeping Their commandments and following Their plan of redemption, Their promised blessings enable us to soar to celestial heights."
Are you allowing yourself to soar by tethering yourself to God the Eternal Father and Jesus Christ?
At this time when we celebrate the light of the world, even Jesus Christ, we can make the choice to turn towards him. We can hold up that light even in a world that celebrates darkness and hate. We can choose to love those around us. I love this quote from the book Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray:
"It matters which side we choose. Even if there will never be more light than darkness. Even if there can be no more joy in the galaxy than there is pain. For every action we undertake, for every word we speak, for every life we touch- it matters. I don’t turn toward the light because it means someday I’ll ‘win’ some sort of cosmic game. I turn toward it because it is the light."
Choose light. Choose peace. Be excellent to each other.
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
#christian #latterdaysaints #lds
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Christ was once asked “which is the great commandment in the law?” The first great commandment, he answered, was “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” The second, of course, was “thou shalt turn away from thy neighbor and cause grief to those against whom your righteous indignation is kindled!” No? Let’s double check Matthew 22:39. “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” So close. I joke but it seems that the world would rather live my version of the commandment rather than Christ’s.
Once upon a time people might have spit out a few choice, insulting words about someone they disagreed with. Perhaps they’d even post a profanity laden blog or video on TikTok about how somebody or other was the worst person in the history of forever and try to convince or cajole others to banish the target of their perceived righteous indignation. If only that was it. Just this last week, I saw a number of posts on various social and creator media sites celebrating the murder of the CEO of a large health insurance company. This is the world we live in but we don’t have to accept it and, more importantly, we are commanded not to.
To reiterate what Christ called the second great commandment, “thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Perhaps you recall Matthew 7:12: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” There is an implication to what is so often called the Golden Rule: if you don’t want someone to do it to you, don’t do it to them.
When Jesus Christ, son of the eternal God and savior of the world, says that it is a commandment to love thy neighbor as thyself and says of the Golden Rule that it “is the law and the prophets,” does that mean that these are things that we can ignore? What if it’s just online? What if they belong to a different political party? Of course not!
In every Sacrament meeting, we partake of the sacrament and make a covenant to “always remember him and keep his commandments.” That includes the commandment to love thy neighbor as thyself. Dallin H. Oaks, all the way back in the October 2024 General Conference said:
'This is a time of many harsh and hurtful words in public communications and sometimes even in our families. Sharp differences on issues of public policy often result in actions of hostility—even hatred—in public and personal relationships. This atmosphere of enmity sometimes even paralyzes capacities for lawmaking on matters of importance where most citizens see an urgent need for some action in the public interest."
Do you contribute to the harsh and hurtful words described by President Oaks? He goes on.
"It is significant that among the first principles Jesus taught when He appeared to the Nephites was to avoid contention. While He taught this in the context of disputes over religious doctrine, the reasons He gave clearly apply to communications and relationships in politics, public policy, and family relationships. Jesus taught:
“He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
“Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.”'
Is this another item on the doctrinal buffet that can be passed over when it doesn’t suit our mood? What if they’re really mean or have a bad spray tan? Of course not but let’s add another commandment to the pile, just in case you’re not sure if Christ really, really means it. Here’s Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
Is that easy? For some, absolutely. For others (including myself), absolutely not. Quoting President Oaks again.
'This is one of Christ’s best-known commandments—most revolutionary and most difficult to follow. Yet it is a most fundamental part of His invitation for all to follow Him. As President David O. McKay taught, “There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for one’s fellowmen.”'
It’s hard, sometimes. We all slip up. I was recently scammed by the contractor who I hired to renovate my dad’s house so that we could rent it out. For the last year and a half and especially the last few months as we had to do the work we hired them to do, I’ve had to bite back comment after hateful comment. Am I justified in being upset? Sure. Does that mean that I am exempt from the commandment to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”? Absolutely not. It’s something I’m working through. Most of the time, I do alright. Other times, not so much.
I stream, podcast, and make videos on YouTube. I close every one by quoting what I refer to as Bill’s Law. It’s named for the fictional character Bill S. Preston, esq. who stated it. “Be excellent to each other.” It’s easy to just be nice or polite. It takes effort and a Christ-like attitude to go beyond that and be excellent to each other. It’s not enough to avoid contention. We need to become peacemakers. Listen to these teachings from President Russell M. Nelson as quoted by President Oaks.
'“One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people. …
“… True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers.
“… One of the best ways we can honor the Savior is to become a peacemaker.”
….“Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice. You have your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always.”'
Being a maker of any sort is active. One cannot make anything by doing nothing. Making peace is no different. We can reach out and find common ground. Start there. Listen to what’s being said. Try to understand then reach out in a spirit of peace and love. Again quoting, President Oaks.
"To follow our Perfect Role Model and His prophet, we need to practice what is popularly known as the Golden Rule: “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” We need to love and do good to all. We need to avoid contention and be peacemakers in all our communications. This does not mean to compromise our principles and priorities but to cease harshly attacking others for theirs. That is what our Perfect Role Model did in His ministry. That is the example He set for us as He invited us to follow Him."
We don’t have to agree on everything but we can stand for our principles without launching a flamewar or resorting to hate and vitriol. We can follow Christ’s example and be makers of peace and not makers of hate.
I’ve been using online posts as my examples because it’s so much easier to hide behind the pseudo-anonymity of a user name but all of this applies in person as well. Whether dealing with coworkers, family, or the people in this room, we can and we must be peacemakers. We must love and bless the people around us. As President Nelson said, these are the hallmarks of a true follower of Jesus Christ.
“Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice,” said President Oaks. “It is a continuous commitment and way of life that should guide us at all times and in all places. His teachings and His example define the path for every disciple of Jesus Christ. And all are invited to this path, for He invites all to come unto Him, ‘black and white, bond and free, male and female; … and all are alike unto God.’”
Being a follower of Christ means that we submit ourselves to his will and hold to our covenants to obey his commandments. That includes the commandments of which I’ve been speaking to love our neighbors and avoid contention. President Oaks likened the commandments of God to the string on a kite. Without the string to tether the kite, it will be blown about and eventually crash. As President Oaks explains:
"That essential string represents the covenants that connect us to God, our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ. As we honor those covenants by keeping Their commandments and following Their plan of redemption, Their promised blessings enable us to soar to celestial heights."
Are you allowing yourself to soar by tethering yourself to God the Eternal Father and Jesus Christ?
At this time when we celebrate the light of the world, even Jesus Christ, we can make the choice to turn towards him. We can hold up that light even in a world that celebrates darkness and hate. We can choose to love those around us. I love this quote from the book Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray:
"It matters which side we choose. Even if there will never be more light than darkness. Even if there can be no more joy in the galaxy than there is pain. For every action we undertake, for every word we speak, for every life we touch- it matters. I don’t turn toward the light because it means someday I’ll ‘win’ some sort of cosmic game. I turn toward it because it is the light."
Choose light. Choose peace. Be excellent to each other.
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
#christian #latterdaysaints #lds