Re: inequality
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2016 11:39 am
It's probably a good idea to include a source when quoting or paraphrasing someone. This phrase appears to be authored by Jim Wright. The government has the responsibility to provide for the common defense. It does not have the responsibility to ensure everyone has free healthcare.James: "calling universal health care and public education free stuff is the same as calling a navy aircraft carrier a free ship"
The Church also uses the term "handouts" to "put a negative feeling on social programs." [link] [link] etc. etc. etc.James: The conservative side often uses the term "handouts" to put a negative feeling on social programs.
Because it doesn't work better. The Lord revealed this truth to us. Your issues with corporate welfare are a separate issue and can certainly be addressed, but as we know from the old maxim, two wrongs don't make a right.James: Why not choose the thing that works better?
I agree with President Dieter F. Uchtdorf during this very general conference that "pride" is one of the greatest problems facing our country right now. I also agree with his solution:James: I agree with my friend David Lassiter, a very politically conservative gentleman, that economic inequality is one of the greatest problems facing our country right now.
The beginning and end of the solution...President Uchtdorf: Whatever problems your family is facing, whatever you must do to solve them, the beginning and the end of the solution is charity, the pure love of Christ.
They're certainly not muscled out. They're clarified. I love the prophet Brigham Young. I love all of the prophets!James: I think Brigham Young brought many thoughts to Mormonism, including some that are a bit leftist. When I bring them up they are swiftly muscled out, which is sad to me.
Occasionally we have those who become a law unto themselves in these matters. Sadly, their pride leads them down a road which President Spencer W. Kimball warned us about: “Apostasy usually begins with question and doubt and criticism. …
“They who garnish the sepulchres of the dead prophets begin now by stoning the living ones. They return to the pronouncements of the dead leaders and interpret them to be incompatible with present programs. They convince themselves that there are discrepancies between the practices of the deceased and the leaders of the present. … They allege love for the gospel and the Church but charge that leaders are a little ‘off the beam’! … Next they say that while the gospel and the Church are divine, the leaders are fallen. Up to this time it may be a passive thing, but now it becomes an active resistance, and frequently the blooming apostate begins to air his views and to crusade. … He now begins to expect persecution and adopts a martyr complex, and when finally excommunication comes he associates himself with other apostates to develop and strengthen cults. At this stage he is likely to claim revelation for himself, revelations from the Lord directing him in his interpretations and his actions. These manifestations are superior to anything from living leaders, he claims.”
Almost without exception, as one finds himself or herself walking the road President Kimball just outlined, there will be priesthood leaders who will counsel and advise and even admonish the person. Many heed the counsel, but some do not.
Counseling comes not just for our own benefit but for the blessing of those who might be misled by something we might say or do. I have been deeply grateful to my brethren that they have cared enough to speak to me, on occasion, in plain words.
Surrounded as we are by worldly influences, how can we maintain a sweetness of spirit and a humility that will make us receptive to such counsel? I fear that we have become so enamored with recreation, with fame and fortune, with videos, with television, and with what money can buy that we have little time for eternal things. We cannot take the time to obtain a knowledge of the doctrines of eternity—for that requires sacrifice, effort, and struggle. Furthermore, we have learned to live in a world of clamor and noise and haste and hurry to the extent that we have often become immune to the Spirit of the Lord and the “peaceable things of the kingdom.”
How do we prepare ourselves to be in harmony with the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve?
On one occasion during the Savior’s mortal ministry, he was challenged by those who were opposing him. They wondered how a person could speak with such certainty without the education of the world.
“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”
We must learn the will of our Father in Heaven by earnest study. Next, we must act upon it. Study alone is not sufficient; we must act upon the words of revelation before we know of a surety of the truthfulness of the doctrines. ...
If we will follow, with diligence, the counsel and instruction that is the united voice of these Brethren, we will know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or whether they speak of themselves.
(Elder L. Aldin Porter, The Revelations of Heaven, October 1994 General Conference) ↗