If we can remember to speak truth respectfully and back it up with words from Jesus or the prophets, then it is up to the listener to receive it and embrace it or to reject it. I would rather speak truth than to remain silent and have to answer to the Lord at some future point for my cowardice. "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ."
MaryannOctober 26, 2024
Thank you so much. There is a big difference between pitching a certain candidate at church, and withholding the truths in The Proclamation On The Family. We do NOT need to walk on eggshells when we teach the gospel, as taught by our Prophets and Apostles. We do not bury the truth because we are afraid someone may get their feelings hurt. We can state the truth courageously and fearlessly. Fortunately, I haven't heard people make the kinds of statements mentioned in this article about "not being able to talk about" important truths. When we hear these comments, we need to speak up politely and remind others that we don't worship "feelings," like so much of the world does. We proclaim truth.
Gary LawrenceOctober 26, 2024
Excellent article -- good job as always, Merrilee. Truths will never conflict; man's designs and argued connections to supposed truths will. Pointing out differences need not spawn political contention. As we defend gospel principles, there is no persuasion without contrast.
CamiOctober 25, 2024
Thank you for encouraging us to be brave and stand up for truth. It's time to fill the void with testimony of Christ's gospel and live His principles. It's been a lonely road going against the grain when speaking up when I've felt compelled over the last few years. I sure hope this wakes people up so they can have ears to hear. I just hope it's not too late and others are not past feeling from denying promptings to speak up when they were instead lulled by carnal security or flattery.
Lynette DyasOctober 24, 2024
then someone please explain why everything that we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, believe in, live by, sustain and support, seems to go by the wayside in support of a Presidential candidate who is a modern day King Noah and the opposite of everything the church represents. And there are members who voice their support for this presidential candidate on Sunday's, in Sacrament Meetings and auxiliary meetings. Where's the line drawn in "That's political, we can't talk about it"?
KīraOctober 24, 2024
Yes, right on!
TashaOctober 24, 2024
Yes! It's okay talk about doctrine even if it is a "hot button" topic
Dave MyersOctober 24, 2024
Here's the problem as I see it:
1) Gospel learning is "home centered and Church supported" so not everything needs to be discussed in Sunday School. The most important thing is for students to feel the Spirit, feel loved, learn about Jesus and His teachings and want to come back again next week.
2) Your article represents your and your organization's position, and may or may not be the Church's. You're not in a position to speak for the Church. Yes, the Proclamation is doctrine - it's what we believe and practice, but Pres. Oaks has taught a hundred times with respect to civil law: "We should not seek to impose our view on others. We seek 'principled accommodation' where nobody gets everything they want, but everyone gets something they can live with." Our civil laws are not the same as the Lord's commandments, and must accommodate others not of our faith. Can we accept that? Can we differentiate? If not, then maybe Sunday School isn't the right place for that discussion.
Kim HeadleyOctober 24, 2024
Excellent article!
Julie MaternOctober 24, 2024
Amen.
Lisa ReisingOctober 24, 2024
Amen and Amen! I love the distinction you made between what is truly political partisanship (party and candidate support) and what has become “political” but is in fact important doctrinal beliefs in the Church. I too have been astounded at how reticent our members have become to discuss the doctrine IN church that comes from the Proclamation on the Family and other prophetic teachings. Yes, it can be thorny, but the burden on discussion leaders is to be very solid in directing focus back to grounding principles. We must be fearless. Thank you for speaking out about this.
Rob MoyorOctober 24, 2024
Well said! Thank you.
BarbaraOctober 24, 2024
"about how she was upset that abortion would not be banned on a federal level".
how is this against church teachings? wanting to ban abortion is against church teachings?
bob taylorOctober 23, 2024
Good article - i understand the authors point - or at least think i understand it. Some of the authors thoughts on how to approach this sort of discussion in Sunday class - Elders Quorum or Relief Society would have been helpful for me - regardless, the discussion is going to demand a lot of both the class teacher and the class members to keep it from going sidewise. I cannot recall the last time that The Family Proclamation was discussed in either my Sunday School class or Elders Quorum.
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Barbara WalkerOctober 28, 2024
If we can remember to speak truth respectfully and back it up with words from Jesus or the prophets, then it is up to the listener to receive it and embrace it or to reject it. I would rather speak truth than to remain silent and have to answer to the Lord at some future point for my cowardice. "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ."
MaryannOctober 26, 2024
Thank you so much. There is a big difference between pitching a certain candidate at church, and withholding the truths in The Proclamation On The Family. We do NOT need to walk on eggshells when we teach the gospel, as taught by our Prophets and Apostles. We do not bury the truth because we are afraid someone may get their feelings hurt. We can state the truth courageously and fearlessly. Fortunately, I haven't heard people make the kinds of statements mentioned in this article about "not being able to talk about" important truths. When we hear these comments, we need to speak up politely and remind others that we don't worship "feelings," like so much of the world does. We proclaim truth.
Gary LawrenceOctober 26, 2024
Excellent article -- good job as always, Merrilee. Truths will never conflict; man's designs and argued connections to supposed truths will. Pointing out differences need not spawn political contention. As we defend gospel principles, there is no persuasion without contrast.
CamiOctober 25, 2024
Thank you for encouraging us to be brave and stand up for truth. It's time to fill the void with testimony of Christ's gospel and live His principles. It's been a lonely road going against the grain when speaking up when I've felt compelled over the last few years. I sure hope this wakes people up so they can have ears to hear. I just hope it's not too late and others are not past feeling from denying promptings to speak up when they were instead lulled by carnal security or flattery.
Lynette DyasOctober 24, 2024
then someone please explain why everything that we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, believe in, live by, sustain and support, seems to go by the wayside in support of a Presidential candidate who is a modern day King Noah and the opposite of everything the church represents. And there are members who voice their support for this presidential candidate on Sunday's, in Sacrament Meetings and auxiliary meetings. Where's the line drawn in "That's political, we can't talk about it"?
KīraOctober 24, 2024
Yes, right on!
TashaOctober 24, 2024
Yes! It's okay talk about doctrine even if it is a "hot button" topic
Dave MyersOctober 24, 2024
Here's the problem as I see it: 1) Gospel learning is "home centered and Church supported" so not everything needs to be discussed in Sunday School. The most important thing is for students to feel the Spirit, feel loved, learn about Jesus and His teachings and want to come back again next week. 2) Your article represents your and your organization's position, and may or may not be the Church's. You're not in a position to speak for the Church. Yes, the Proclamation is doctrine - it's what we believe and practice, but Pres. Oaks has taught a hundred times with respect to civil law: "We should not seek to impose our view on others. We seek 'principled accommodation' where nobody gets everything they want, but everyone gets something they can live with." Our civil laws are not the same as the Lord's commandments, and must accommodate others not of our faith. Can we accept that? Can we differentiate? If not, then maybe Sunday School isn't the right place for that discussion.
Kim HeadleyOctober 24, 2024
Excellent article!
Julie MaternOctober 24, 2024
Amen.
Lisa ReisingOctober 24, 2024
Amen and Amen! I love the distinction you made between what is truly political partisanship (party and candidate support) and what has become “political” but is in fact important doctrinal beliefs in the Church. I too have been astounded at how reticent our members have become to discuss the doctrine IN church that comes from the Proclamation on the Family and other prophetic teachings. Yes, it can be thorny, but the burden on discussion leaders is to be very solid in directing focus back to grounding principles. We must be fearless. Thank you for speaking out about this.
Rob MoyorOctober 24, 2024
Well said! Thank you.
BarbaraOctober 24, 2024
"about how she was upset that abortion would not be banned on a federal level". how is this against church teachings? wanting to ban abortion is against church teachings?
bob taylorOctober 23, 2024
Good article - i understand the authors point - or at least think i understand it. Some of the authors thoughts on how to approach this sort of discussion in Sunday class - Elders Quorum or Relief Society would have been helpful for me - regardless, the discussion is going to demand a lot of both the class teacher and the class members to keep it from going sidewise. I cannot recall the last time that The Family Proclamation was discussed in either my Sunday School class or Elders Quorum.
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