2 posts tagged “politics”

This is a warning issued in 1978 but is more applicable than ever.

"Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.... Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."

(Elder Neal A. Maxwell, BYU devotional address, Oct 10, 1978)

30 years ago - almost to the day - Neal A. Maxwell said the following at a BYU devotional.

In 1995, Gordon Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sought to bring clarity to many of the questions at stake in modern debate. (And what's the role of a prophet if not to provide the long-range view on these kinds of matters!)

Over the years I have loved the simplicity and clarity of the language that outlines the fundamental organizing principles for a healthy society. I remember thinking how timely the announcement was in 1995 but it seems all the more timely given recent legislation in Massachusetts, Canada parts of Europe and in California.

This is a defining moment and here is what I believe a modern Prophet has to say on the matter.

1- Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

2- Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

3- We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

4- Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.

5- We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

The full text is here: http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,161-1-11-1,00.html