Good article, interesting comments, the phrase/sentence "we should only have one idol-Jesus Christ", I cringe at that usage, I know what was intended but " idol" should never, ever be used in relation to or in reference to our Savior Jesus Christ.
K OutzenSeptember 17, 2025
Thank you for your reminder to be open about our allegiance to Jesus Christ--even more than we are to the cultural and counter cultural figures who we believe are speaking truth. I thoroughly agree with Vic Grady's comments and those of Val Hemming to this post. We must know where our personal blind spots are! We must see that, as in Book of Mormon stories you pointed out, it was both sides who had lost God & their civilization. We are at that point! Most leaders from both sides are unworthy of our time and certainly not worthy personally of our loyalties, but respect for the office. Our Constitution is worthy of our loyalty, as a God ordained document. Unfortunately, everyone twists its meaning to fit their political views, sapping its power in the process. In a way, sometimes I wish our prophet were our military or political leader as in ancient days just to make it easier. There are a handful of good people who lead, but we MUST NOT try to contort everything they, or our favorite pundits, say to match up with our doctrine. We are deluding ourselves, and worse, others if we do.
Carlos RoundySeptember 16, 2025
in the Book of Mormon, their hatred was greater than their will to live. when it said that they slept on their swords, for tomorrow we shall conquer or die. The spirit of God had completely left their civilization.
Vic GradySeptember 16, 2025
Thank you, Maurine, for your, as always, insightful remarks, especially on this subject and at this time. My concerns about the work of Charlie Kirk are not centered on his courageous declarations of common sense morality, at least that portion of it that aligns with our revealed values. He has also made a variety of incendiary remarks, specifically targeting individuals and groups with whom he was at odds. He is, of course, within his freedoms to do that and should be able to do that without any physical repercussions. My concern is that, as Christians ourselves, and more specifically as Latter-day Saints, we are getting, or will get, dragged under the carpet if we are not careful, aligning ourselves with such controversial figures, however much we might agree with their views, and however good they might otherwise be. We need to make it crystal clear to all, including to each other, that we have but one idol - Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God. To attach ourselves to anyone else is to place, not only, impediments in the way of the Lord’s work, but to intentionally place a beam in our own eyes. Those kinds of adherences are not harmless, I believe. We can begin to “see” less of Christ, and His prophets, as we draw closer and closer to the agenda of an individual. My view is that we in the Lord’s Church should not be “followers” of such individuals, and we should not be _viewed_ as such. Observers - yes; Devotees - no. I don’t think that enough Latter-day Saints have thought that through. I have had a good number of conversations with individuals who are critical of not only Kirk’s religion-based rhetoric (and I recognize that Kirk is but one of many) but critical of religion in general. I have tried to help people unravel the two but it is very difficult. We need to give more thought to the implications of our allegiances, especially in these days of already highly primed sensitivities.
RobertSeptember 15, 2025
The important thing to know and understand. Evil has been with us since the beginning and will remain (and increase along with good) until the second coming of the Savior. In this instance, it doesn't matter what religion the kid was, or grew up with. Simply put, the kid choose evil over good, and got into Satans influence. 1/3 of the hosts of heaven, raised with perfect love, perfect teaching perfect parenting choose evil over good; Caine and Abel. Caine choose evil over good; Lamen and Lemuel, both choose evil over good. Judas who worked with the Savior in person choose evil over good. Many others in history and even now choose evil over good. Even adults, parents, and a members currently choose evil, (pride, love of money, pick the sin) over good.
While many talk and comment about what happened along with all the evil things going on in the world, it is important to understand that all of us live in a society where evil will only get vastly worse, not better. As righteousness goes up, so will wickedness. The Savior said that that righteousness and wickedness will co exist until the end, then burned at the end. Parable of the Wheat and the Tares, Matt 13:24-30 then 36:43. Then read Section 86.
In the very end, in terms of this world, good will prevail over evil when the Savior returns in all of his majesty, power and glory to the world. Until then it is important for us to do the very best that we can daily, repent daily, read the scriptures daily, choose righteousness etc. We can't necessarily change evil people especially if they want to commit some violent act, but we can change ourselves.
WEvansSeptember 15, 2025
Great article; however, the author of the book, "Rage Against the Machine, the Unmaking of Humanity," is not Paul Kingsworth as you have stated. The author is Paul Kingsnorth. Thank you.
HelenCSeptember 15, 2025
And we need to remember, and take into our hearts, that, in the end, good will triumph over evil, so why not start now?
Val Hemming, M.D. Col USAF MC (retired)September 15, 2025
I applaud your essay's plea for an end to violence in our seriously, politically, and culturally divided society. However, I object to your laying the blame to: "the sometimes called leftist or Marxist or merely secular" groups. You seem oblivious to the threats of violence from our U.S. President and his minions. Most of the Proud Boys who attacked our Capitol Building on January 6 were evangelical Christians. As a believing and practicing Latter-day Saint (for all of my 88 years), I felt your essay helped further polarize our vulnerable Latter-day Saint community.
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Corey D.October 2, 2025
Good article, interesting comments, the phrase/sentence "we should only have one idol-Jesus Christ", I cringe at that usage, I know what was intended but " idol" should never, ever be used in relation to or in reference to our Savior Jesus Christ.
K OutzenSeptember 17, 2025
Thank you for your reminder to be open about our allegiance to Jesus Christ--even more than we are to the cultural and counter cultural figures who we believe are speaking truth. I thoroughly agree with Vic Grady's comments and those of Val Hemming to this post. We must know where our personal blind spots are! We must see that, as in Book of Mormon stories you pointed out, it was both sides who had lost God & their civilization. We are at that point! Most leaders from both sides are unworthy of our time and certainly not worthy personally of our loyalties, but respect for the office. Our Constitution is worthy of our loyalty, as a God ordained document. Unfortunately, everyone twists its meaning to fit their political views, sapping its power in the process. In a way, sometimes I wish our prophet were our military or political leader as in ancient days just to make it easier. There are a handful of good people who lead, but we MUST NOT try to contort everything they, or our favorite pundits, say to match up with our doctrine. We are deluding ourselves, and worse, others if we do.
Carlos RoundySeptember 16, 2025
in the Book of Mormon, their hatred was greater than their will to live. when it said that they slept on their swords, for tomorrow we shall conquer or die. The spirit of God had completely left their civilization.
Vic GradySeptember 16, 2025
Thank you, Maurine, for your, as always, insightful remarks, especially on this subject and at this time. My concerns about the work of Charlie Kirk are not centered on his courageous declarations of common sense morality, at least that portion of it that aligns with our revealed values. He has also made a variety of incendiary remarks, specifically targeting individuals and groups with whom he was at odds. He is, of course, within his freedoms to do that and should be able to do that without any physical repercussions. My concern is that, as Christians ourselves, and more specifically as Latter-day Saints, we are getting, or will get, dragged under the carpet if we are not careful, aligning ourselves with such controversial figures, however much we might agree with their views, and however good they might otherwise be. We need to make it crystal clear to all, including to each other, that we have but one idol - Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God. To attach ourselves to anyone else is to place, not only, impediments in the way of the Lord’s work, but to intentionally place a beam in our own eyes. Those kinds of adherences are not harmless, I believe. We can begin to “see” less of Christ, and His prophets, as we draw closer and closer to the agenda of an individual. My view is that we in the Lord’s Church should not be “followers” of such individuals, and we should not be _viewed_ as such. Observers - yes; Devotees - no. I don’t think that enough Latter-day Saints have thought that through. I have had a good number of conversations with individuals who are critical of not only Kirk’s religion-based rhetoric (and I recognize that Kirk is but one of many) but critical of religion in general. I have tried to help people unravel the two but it is very difficult. We need to give more thought to the implications of our allegiances, especially in these days of already highly primed sensitivities.
RobertSeptember 15, 2025
The important thing to know and understand. Evil has been with us since the beginning and will remain (and increase along with good) until the second coming of the Savior. In this instance, it doesn't matter what religion the kid was, or grew up with. Simply put, the kid choose evil over good, and got into Satans influence. 1/3 of the hosts of heaven, raised with perfect love, perfect teaching perfect parenting choose evil over good; Caine and Abel. Caine choose evil over good; Lamen and Lemuel, both choose evil over good. Judas who worked with the Savior in person choose evil over good. Many others in history and even now choose evil over good. Even adults, parents, and a members currently choose evil, (pride, love of money, pick the sin) over good. While many talk and comment about what happened along with all the evil things going on in the world, it is important to understand that all of us live in a society where evil will only get vastly worse, not better. As righteousness goes up, so will wickedness. The Savior said that that righteousness and wickedness will co exist until the end, then burned at the end. Parable of the Wheat and the Tares, Matt 13:24-30 then 36:43. Then read Section 86. In the very end, in terms of this world, good will prevail over evil when the Savior returns in all of his majesty, power and glory to the world. Until then it is important for us to do the very best that we can daily, repent daily, read the scriptures daily, choose righteousness etc. We can't necessarily change evil people especially if they want to commit some violent act, but we can change ourselves.
WEvansSeptember 15, 2025
Great article; however, the author of the book, "Rage Against the Machine, the Unmaking of Humanity," is not Paul Kingsworth as you have stated. The author is Paul Kingsnorth. Thank you.
HelenCSeptember 15, 2025
And we need to remember, and take into our hearts, that, in the end, good will triumph over evil, so why not start now?
Val Hemming, M.D. Col USAF MC (retired)September 15, 2025
I applaud your essay's plea for an end to violence in our seriously, politically, and culturally divided society. However, I object to your laying the blame to: "the sometimes called leftist or Marxist or merely secular" groups. You seem oblivious to the threats of violence from our U.S. President and his minions. Most of the Proud Boys who attacked our Capitol Building on January 6 were evangelical Christians. As a believing and practicing Latter-day Saint (for all of my 88 years), I felt your essay helped further polarize our vulnerable Latter-day Saint community.
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