Meeting the Challenges of Today

This post consists of excerpts from an October 10, 1978, BYU devotional given by Elder Neal A. Maxwell. I highly recommend that talk to anyone and everyone that is a citizen of any country, but especially to U.S. Citizens that belong to the Church. 

Elder Maxwell says: "Discipleship includes good citizenship; and in this connection, if you are careful students of the statements of the modern prophets, you will have noticed that with rare exceptions--especially when the First Presidency has spoken out--the concerns expressed have been over moral issues, not issues between political parties. The declarations are about principles, not people, and causes, not candidates. On occasions, at other levels in the Church, a few have not been so discreet, so wise, or so inspired. "But make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters; in the months and years ahead, events will require of each member that he or she decide whether or not he or she will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions (see 1 Kings 18:21)." 

"...not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ."

"We are now entering a period of incredible ironies. Let us cite but one of these ironies which is yet in its subtle stages: we shall see in our time a maximum if indirect effort made to establish irreligion as the state religion. It is actually a new form of paganism that uses the carefully preserved and cultivated freedoms of Western civilization to shrink freedom even as it rejects the value essence of our rich Judeo-Christian heritage." "This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain of people's opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. Resistance to abortion will soon be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened." "In its mildest form, irreligion will merely be condescending toward those who hold to traditional Judeo-Christian values. In its more harsh forms, as is always the case with those whose dogmatism is blinding, the secular church will do what it can to reduce the influence of those who still worry over standards such as those in the Ten Commandments. It is always such an easy step from dogmatism to unfair play--especially so when the dogmatists believe themselves to be dealing with primitive people who do not know what is best for them. It is the secular bureaucrat's burden, you see."

"Am I saying that the voting rights of the people of religion are in danger? Of course not! Am I saying, 'It's back to the catacombs?' No! But there is occurring a discounting of religiously-based opinions. There may even be a covert and subtle disqualification of some for certain offices in some situations, in an ironic 'irreligious test' for office." "Notice the terrible irony if this trend were to continue. When the secular church goes after its heretics, where are the sanctuaries? To what landfalls and Plymouth Rocks can future pilgrims go?" "It may well be, as our time comes to 'suffer shame for his name' (Acts 5:41), that some of this special stress will grow out of that portion of discipleship which involves citizenship." 

There is much, much more in this talk. In fact, I've left the best, most inspiring parts out because I felt they would be most beneficial read in the context of his remarks. Of course he teaches the kinds of doctrines that will protect us and lift us up. However, for the purposes of this post let me add just one final quote: "If the challenge of the secular church becomes very real, let us, as in all other human relationships, be principled but pleasant. Let us be perceptive without being pompous. Let us have integrity and not write checks with our tongues which our conduct cannot cash."