Review of General Conference talks of President Dallin H. Oaks,
October 1984 through October 1989
- October 1984 — “Why Do We Serve”
- Hope for earthly rewards ( – )
- To obtain good companions ( – )
- Fear of punishment ( + )
- Sense of duty to family or friends ( + )
- Hope of eternal reward ( ++ )
- Charity, or the pure love of Christ ( +++ )
- April 1985 — “Taking Upon Us The Name of Christ”
- Renewing our baptismal promises
- Becoming members of His Church
- Publicly proclaiming our belief in Christ
- Serving Christ by serving others
- Exercising the authority of Christ
- Taking upon us temple covenants
- Becoming the ‘seed’ of Christ
- Gaining eternal life and exaltation through Him
- October 1985 — “Spirituality”
- We view our experiences in terms of eternity. We call this quality of life spirituality.
- 2 Corinthians 4:18 – “things which are not seen are eternal…to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
- Through the lens of spirituality we can know the things of God.
- Spirituality is not a function of occupation or calling.
- John Taylor said, “…I am in possession of the truth, and I am counted worthy to engage in the work of the Lord.”
- As Mary portrayed, we should not be so occupied with what is routine and temporal that we fail to cherish those opportunities that are unique and spiritual.
- Also, Jacob valued the spiritual, while Esau sought the things of the world.
- Consider the Roman soldiers at the foot of Christ’s cross. We should not be casting our lots for the things of the world while our families and the work of the Lord cry for our attention.
- “Jim, you don’t understand. I am raising boys, not cows!”
- Elder Widtsoe: “There is a spiritual meaning of all human acts and earthly events…”
- When measured against eternal values, the failures of our early pioneer ancestors and saints are seen as our greatest successes.
- Unto God all things are spiritual. (Doctrine and Covenants 29:34)
- Zion’s Camp can be seen as a failure, but it was about refining and purifying the hearts of future leaders of the Church.
- “Love not the world, nor the things of the world.”
- We seek spirituality through faith, repentance, and baptism, through forgiveness of one another, through fasting and prayer, through righteous desires and pure thoughts and actions, through service to our fellow men, through worship, through feasting on the word of God, through making and keeping sacred covenants, through trying to keep the commandments of God.
- April 1986 — “Reverent and Clean”
- The profane has become commonplace and the vulgar has become acceptable.
- There are no more sacred words in our language than the names of God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.
- We are commanded to take upon ourselves the name of Christ, and the Church is called in His name.
- The name of Jesus is the only name under which we can be saved.
- In His name we can do many mighty works.
- That which cometh from above is sacred.
- We will be held accountable for our ‘idol words’.
- Profane language is morally bankrupt.
- Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
- Seek the virtuous, the lovely, things of good report, things that are praiseworthy.
- October 1986 — “Brother’s Keeper”
- All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.
- Cain set the pattern of the world. Am I my brother’s keeper? Lie a little…dig a pit for thy neighbor.
- The standard in this Church must be visibly higher than the standard of the world.
- I would that ye should be perfect, even as I (Christ’s statement).
- Persons who prosecute frivolous lawsuits do not maintain a high standard.
- LDS people should deal justly with their neighbors and mercifully with the poor.
- We should not open shops on Sunday nor should we shop on Sunday.
- We should not advertise cigarettes or alcohol.
- Those in the world of investments should maintain high standards.
- Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that harm you.
- Zion must increase in beauty and holiness. Life the golden rule.
- April 1987 — “Priesthood Blessings”
- Priesthood blessings can be for any of the following purposes:
- Healing of the sick
- Guidance
- Help with personal challenges
- Expectant mothers
- Marriage
- Serving missions
- Principles of blessings:
- Conferral of power
- Serving ‘one-by-one’
- The will, mind, and word of the Lord
- Baby blessings
- For either individuals or groups
- Do not hesitate when inspiration comes!
- Priesthood blessings can be for any of the following purposes:
- October 1987 — “The Light and Life of the World”
- 3 Nephi 11 emphasizes this phrase (Light and Life)
- The Savior ‘made all things’
- He is the Source of all light
- He ‘lighteth’ the way of every man
- He quickens our understanding
- He helps us discern good from evil
- He lights our path continually
- He has and does set a pure example for us
- He is a ‘lamp’ to our feet
- He persuades us to do good
- He is the ‘Life’
- Our lives can be abundant in Him
- He brings to pass our resurrection
- He provides forgiveness through His atonement
- We should always:
- Study his principles
- Be enlightened by his Spirit
- Keep His commandments
- Abide by our covenants.
- April 1988 — “”Always remember Him!”
- Jesus is our Creator, Redeemer, and Teacher
- If we remember Him, we can have His spirit to be with us
- Things we must remember:
- Serve as called
- Forgive others
- Receive ordinances
- Endure afflictions
- Minister to the sick and afflicted
- Love our neighbors, both members and non-members
- Embrace and include those not of our faith
- Where much is given, much is expected
- October 1988 — “What think ye of Christ?”
- Jesus asked this question of the Pharisees. We should ask it of ourselves today.
- Some of the answers given by Christians today include:
- He was a great teacher but not a Messiah.
- There was nothing ‘supernatural’ about Jesus.
- He cannot solve the pains and tragedies of modern man.
- He was a human being, exactly as we are.
- He cannot save us; we must save ourselves.
- His crucifixion was a failure, not a victory.
- We can be rectified to God through our own righteousness, independent of Jesus.
- Latter-day Saints theology teaches:
- Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of God the Father.
- He is our Creator, our Teacher, our Savior.
- His Atonement provides victory over death, and make forgiveness of sin possible.
- He bears our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3, Colossians 1:14, Hebrews 10:16, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 John 1:7)
- The Book of Mormon clarifies His role (2 Nephi 25:23, “…after all we can do…”)
- Salvation is not possible through obedience to law alone. Salvation comes only through the mediation of Christ
- 2 Nephi 2:5-8
- 2 Nephi 8:7
- 2 Nephi 25:26
- Mosiah 2:21
- Mosiah 3:17-18
- Mosiah 13:28
- Alma 22:14
- Alma 34:8-16
- 3 Nephi 27:14-16
- Doctrine and Covenants 19:1-17
- Orson F. Whitney answers William Ernest Henley’s proposal that we are the captains of our own souls. Elder Whitney beautifully expounds, in poetic verse, that Jesus is the Captain of our souls.
- April 1989 — “Alternate Voices”
- We hear many voices in mortality, but we must hear and recognize the voice of the Savior.
- Alternate voices include:
- Brothers and sisters merely trying to serve others.
- Those who are pursuing selfish personal interests (property, power, prominence, etc.)
- Lost souls who move about without guidance.
- Those seeking to deceive or ‘devour the flock’.
- Alternate voices can be heard in magazines, at the pulpit, journals, symposia, etc.
- The Church’s approach to the various ‘voices’ is to teach correct principles and let the members govern themselves.
- The Church, however, will always proclaim its belief or stance if ‘alternate’ voices contradicts or twists the church’s teachings.
- The Church has a process by which its publications and pronouncements are officially recognized and approved.
- When attacked by erroneous statements, truth is usually served by silence rather than by a bad argument.
- What are the ways that we should acquire knowledge of sacred things?
- By study and also by faith.
- By studying the accumulated wisdom of various disciplines.
- By using our God-given powers of reasoning.
- By having explicit faith in God, the giver of revelation.
- If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine…
- By not contending over points of doctrine.
- Be humble, cultivate faith, repent of sin, serve others, and keep the commandments.
- By not yielding to the persuasions of men.
- Live such that “…the Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, they scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth…”
- October 1989 — “Modern Pioneers”
- Those of the last wagon on the pioneer trials suffered dust, fatigue, being worn and tired, but they remained devoted and committed to the cause.
- We have ‘pioneers’ in the Church now, not just in word, but in acts and faith. Modern-day pioneers display the following:
- They are missionaries and volunteers
- They are young mothers who forego other life pursuits to raise beautiful children unto the Lord
- They ‘take up their crosses’
- They are senior couples who forego so much to serve
- They rejoice in hope, and are patient in tribulations
- They serve to honor covenants and promises
- They travel in worthy groups, and follow their leaders
- They utilize the repentance process daily
- Forgiveness is very much part of their lives
- They don’t run faster than that they have strength
- They read church publications
- They are unsung heroes and heroines
- They wait patiently on the Lord
Click here to return to the President Oaks talk index