This talk was given 1 year ago, in October 2014, but becomes more and more applicable as the laws of the land continue to be diversified to accommodate gay marriage. There are a lot of mixed feelings about it, but Elder Oaks' counsel is to "disagree without being disagreeable." In other words, it's not necessary to be confrontational when we disagree. This doesn't mean we change our beliefs or lower our personal moral standard. We can follow that counsel and will be held accountable if we don't, but this goes both ways. I'll respect your agency to choose even if I disagree with your choice, but don't be surprised, angry, and offended when I respectfully disagree and teach my children to do the same.
When Pahoran was appointed his two brother acted in opposites....Pacumeni "united with the voice of the people" and Paanchi became "exceedingly worth." As I studied Elder Oaks talk I realized as members of the church we are instructed to be neither like Pacumeni or Paanchi. Elder oaks describes what type we are be when he says, "Even as we seek to be meek and to avoid contention, we must not compromise or dilute our commitment to the truths we understand. We must not surrender our positions or our values. The gospel of Jesus Christ and the covenants we have made inevitably cast us as combatants in the eternal contest between truth and error. There is no middle ground in that contest." Grateful for the reminder that meekness, love, and peace-seeking doesn't equate uniting with beliefs we know to be wrong. We can show love and civility while learning, teaching, and defending God's plan for His children.
This talk was given 1 year ago, in October 2014, but becomes more and more applicable as the laws of the land continue to be diversified to accommodate gay marriage. There are a lot of mixed feelings about it, but Elder Oaks' counsel is to "disagree without being disagreeable." In other words, it's not necessary to be confrontational when we disagree. This doesn't mean we change our beliefs or lower our personal moral standard. We can follow that counsel and will be held accountable if we don't, but this goes both ways. I'll respect your agency to choose even if I disagree with your choice, but don't be surprised, angry, and offended when I respectfully disagree and teach my children to do the same.
ReplyDeleteWhen Pahoran was appointed his two brother acted in opposites....Pacumeni "united with the voice of the people" and Paanchi became "exceedingly worth." As I studied Elder Oaks talk I realized as members of the church we are instructed to be neither like Pacumeni or Paanchi. Elder oaks describes what type we are be when he says, "Even as we seek to be meek and to avoid contention, we must not compromise or dilute our commitment to the truths we understand. We must not surrender our positions or our values. The gospel of Jesus Christ and the covenants we have made inevitably cast us as combatants in the eternal contest between truth and error. There is no middle ground in that contest." Grateful for the reminder that meekness, love, and peace-seeking doesn't equate uniting with beliefs we know to be wrong. We can show love and civility while learning, teaching, and defending God's plan for His children.
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