Brethren, if we had done our homework and were faithful, we could step forward at this time and help save this country. The fact that most of us are unprepared to do it is an indictment we will have to bear. The longer we wait, the heavier the chains, the deeper the blood, the more the persecution and the less we can carry out our God-given mandate and world-wide mission. The war in heaven is raging on earth today. Are you being neutralized in the battle? General Conference 1965 by Elder Benson
Ted GibbonsJuly 8, 2016
Jackie, I hoped that the context of the article would make it clear that I was speaking of the response of members to those who attack the church. Our individual circumstances may require a modified approach. However, it seems clear from the scriptures and the prophets that individuals must forgive all men, even while protecting and defending our own interests
JackieJuly 7, 2016
Unfortunately, my enemies have been members of my various wards and the damage done very real.
On one case a former employer filed false theft charges with the police. She is a ward member. She is also mentally ill, although most of the ward members do not know that about her.
I decided I could not just turn the other cheek any more than the Saints did when deprived of their property in Missouri. They filed affadavids detailing their losses. I have had to reveal really ugly stories about this woman in order to protect myself. I still realize not all will believe me. But she has falsely accused others now so I am in a better place.
Other times were when I attended singles wards where some of the women told false stories about me when I began dating their prior boyfriends. I did not even hear these stories for years and then heard from several men in the ward what each had said. Yes, the men believed the stories and it caused my reputation to be damaged.
A man who works with a family member in Roy, Utah was convicted and jailed on child molestation charges when falsely accused by a prior girlfriend of molesting her child. He served months in prison. Her father is a Roy policeman and they used the system. He had wanted to teach school but that cannot happen now. Literally no one who knows him believes he did this.
We must be careful about the idea that we leave justice up to the Lord. Sometimes you have to stand and fight.
DavidJuly 7, 2016
Verse 17: Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
BeccaMJuly 7, 2016
Our son served a mission in the Bible Belt. At first, the temptation was strong to "bash" detractors using scriptures and argument. He soon learned that the best way to respond to a critic was to ask if they could pray together. As he prayed aloud, they would often feel the sweetness of the Spirit together, and hearts were softened.
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WiikwajioJuly 10, 2016
Brethren, if we had done our homework and were faithful, we could step forward at this time and help save this country. The fact that most of us are unprepared to do it is an indictment we will have to bear. The longer we wait, the heavier the chains, the deeper the blood, the more the persecution and the less we can carry out our God-given mandate and world-wide mission. The war in heaven is raging on earth today. Are you being neutralized in the battle? General Conference 1965 by Elder Benson
Ted GibbonsJuly 8, 2016
Jackie, I hoped that the context of the article would make it clear that I was speaking of the response of members to those who attack the church. Our individual circumstances may require a modified approach. However, it seems clear from the scriptures and the prophets that individuals must forgive all men, even while protecting and defending our own interests
JackieJuly 7, 2016
Unfortunately, my enemies have been members of my various wards and the damage done very real. On one case a former employer filed false theft charges with the police. She is a ward member. She is also mentally ill, although most of the ward members do not know that about her. I decided I could not just turn the other cheek any more than the Saints did when deprived of their property in Missouri. They filed affadavids detailing their losses. I have had to reveal really ugly stories about this woman in order to protect myself. I still realize not all will believe me. But she has falsely accused others now so I am in a better place. Other times were when I attended singles wards where some of the women told false stories about me when I began dating their prior boyfriends. I did not even hear these stories for years and then heard from several men in the ward what each had said. Yes, the men believed the stories and it caused my reputation to be damaged. A man who works with a family member in Roy, Utah was convicted and jailed on child molestation charges when falsely accused by a prior girlfriend of molesting her child. He served months in prison. Her father is a Roy policeman and they used the system. He had wanted to teach school but that cannot happen now. Literally no one who knows him believes he did this. We must be careful about the idea that we leave justice up to the Lord. Sometimes you have to stand and fight.
DavidJuly 7, 2016
Verse 17: Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
BeccaMJuly 7, 2016
Our son served a mission in the Bible Belt. At first, the temptation was strong to "bash" detractors using scriptures and argument. He soon learned that the best way to respond to a critic was to ask if they could pray together. As he prayed aloud, they would often feel the sweetness of the Spirit together, and hearts were softened.
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