Elder D. Todd Christofferson gave a talk last conference (Nov. 2009) that deserves some further analysis.\u00a0 He spoke on the internal control vs the external control of our moral agency.<\/p>\n
When I look at how the world views things it occurs to me the mindset is totally different; another counterfeit to uncover.\u00a0 I see the conflict as philosophy vs spirituality.\u00a0 So many in the world today believe they are spiritual, when they are in reality philosophizing their view, which simply means creating their own rules, so they can do what they want, as opposed to following God\u2019s rules, because of their spiritual faith in these rules.\u00a0 Once we accept God, we accept eternal rules that even God, himself follows.\u00a0 We let go of a philosophy of no rules.<\/p>\n
It is a choice we each must make, and because we believe that we cannot serve two masters, we need to reach the point of a consistent \u201cexercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elder Christofferson talks repeatedly about how our lack of internal control brings control by outside forces, such as government.\u00a0 Outside laws will indeed force us to follow \u201cthe rules\u201d, but what rules are we forced to follow?\u00a0 God\u2019s rules? Or other rules?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moral discipline should be learned at home, but now-a-days, it seems that parents may not be quite as diligent as they should be.\u00a0 If we are committed to a true moral standard we must teach CONSTANTLY gospel principles. President Eyring\u2019s quote is powerful in this talk, but you\u2019ll have to look it up for yourself.<\/p>\n
In the Garden of Eden, God uses the greatest teaching tool that every parent must learn.\u00a0 In Moses 3:16-17, the Lord says, \u201cOf every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself.\u201d\u00a0 The Lord gives freely, but he sets boundaries; he also directs our best choice, yet allows us to choose.\u00a0 Further, in Moses 6, we learn that the Plan leads us to repent of the bad choices we are all likely to make.\u00a0 In every child, \u201csin conceiveth in their hearts, and they taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good.\u201d (v. 55)\u00a0 Therefore, the commandment is to teach children that there is repentance. (v 57-58)<\/p>\n
I am so grateful Elder Christofferson states the following words, because I have heard this excuse many times:\u00a0 \u201cI have heard a few parents state that they don\u2019t want to impose the gospel on their children but want them to make up their own minds\u2026What they forget is that the intelligent use of agency requires knowledge of the truth.\u201d\u00a0 You absolutely need to teach your children what the choice is FIRST, because the adversary won\u2019t. \u00a0Parents have the opportunity (and responsibility) to teach truth, pure and undefiled.\u00a0 The world will teach another view.\u00a0 Agency only works after both sides are revealed clearly.\u00a0 Otherwise, the child doesn\u2019t stand a chance and will be quickly swept away into false truths, never knowing.<\/p>\n
The talks given at General Conference are pure truth that builds moral discipline to guide us until the next time we meet.\u00a0 We can be spiritually strengthened enough to recognize truth from error.\u00a0 We can borrow strength from our leaders, if we have to.\u00a0 We can get back on track, as our leaders, through the inspirations of the Spirit, urge us to sharpen our course.\u00a0 And our parents should be there to guide the way.<\/p>\n
Moral discipline \u201crejects the self-absorbed life in favor of developing character worthy of respect and true greatness through Christlike service.\u201d\u00a0 By becoming a disciple of Christ, \u201cour moral discipline is rooted in loyalty and devotion to the Father and the Son.\u00a0 It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that provides the moral certainty upon which moral discipline rests.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Elder D. Todd Christofferson gave a talk last conference (Nov. 2009) that deserves some further analysis.\u00a0 He spoke on the internal control vs the external control of our moral agency. When I look at how the world views things it occurs to me the mindset is totally different; another counterfeit to uncover.\u00a0 I see the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[310],"class_list":["post-1681","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-conference-talks","tag-morality"],"yoast_head":"\n