Speaking of Stake Conferences....below is a talk from a recent Stake Conference given by the Hidden Valley Stake President. This talk made it into the Salt Lake Tribune. A first that I know of. He states that:" it is not my intent today to be controversial, political, or even
dire." But I think he covered all three so very well. I have learned throughout my years that church leaders are mortal. Their personalities and life experiences show up in the way they teach. Some I enjoy more so than others. Fact of life. This talk received "cheers from the right and jeers from the left." Ummm, and it is not political. As for me it received a jeer. Democrat and proud of it! Yes, that pride of mine would have kicked into gear full force and I would have walked out of this conference. Most likely I would have done that because otherwise I would not have had a ride home! Scott is far more left than his wife! Can't wait to hear what President Shamo has to say today! But you can read the one below and decide if it receives a cheer or jeer from you.
"Another year has come and gone – the year 2012. A year about which much was
speculated, predicted, and some would even argue prophesied. And while the most
discussed prediction or prophecy – that of the Mayans concerning the end of the
world – did not come to pass, I feel and believe that 2012 will still prove to
be one of the more significant years in our life time.
Let’s take a moment and look back at a few things that happened
in 2012:
- Gaza fired missiles on Jerusalem causing heightened unrest in the
Middle East
-
The Director of the CIA, a man considered to be of the highest moral integrity,
resigned due to improprieties and adultery
- The UN Ambassador was instructed
by the White House to cover up what happened in Libya, attempting to minimize
the deaths of four Americans who were murdered
- There was an attempt to
raise taxes during the worst economic times since the great depression
-
Hurricane Sandy, called the “perfect storm” hit the east coast causing great
devastation
- Iran became closer to a nuclear weapon
- The use of
marijuana was legalized in Washington and Colorado
- Some states legalized
same sex marriage
- 23 states began a petition to secede from the nation
-
Russia strengthened its coalitions with North Korea and Iran
- Forces aligned
to stop school prayer, but allowed the handing out of birth control
- The
government used tax dollars to fund abortions
- Examples of violence,
gambling, drug misuse, and infidelity were more prevalent than ever
-
Hollywood promoted parenthood without marriage
- Education scores of our
youth plummeted to their lowest levels ever
- And finally, we were brought to
the edge of the fiscal cliff.
In my opinion, the first 30 days of 2013 have proven to be the
same. In fact, my head is spinning at all of the insanity and craziness that is
happening in the world.
Now, I want to make it
clear that it is not my intent today to be controversial, political, or even
dire. My intent is to state the facts as I see them, as the Stake President,
having been moved upon by the Holy Ghost. When I speak from this pulpit as the
Stake President, the primary intent of my voice is one of love and compassion,
but I also have an obligation to use my voice as a warning when it is necessary.
Today is a day when I choose to use it primarily as a voice of warning, hoping
you will realize and understand that it is in love and compassion for you that I
do.
Each of us has our agency and we are free to act for ourselves.
We are agents unto ourselves and each of us is free to take what I say as he or
she will. You may choose to disagree with me. You may even choose to ignore me,
but I have been impressed by the spirit to say what I must say.
Never in my life have I witnessed a more stark difference
between good and evil than I did in 2012. Never has there been a greater moral,
economic, or political decline in society than there was in 2012 and over the
last few years. The current moral condition of our world and country reminds me
of the condition described in Helaman, chapter 5, verse 2, and I
quote:
“For their as laws and their governments were established by the
voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who
chose good, therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had
become corrupted.”
In
2012 the voice of the people spoke loudly and clearly as it chose:
- Socialism over
capitalism
- Entitlements over free enterprise
- Redistribution and
regulation over self reliance.
Unfortunate as it is, this should not come as a surprise to any
of us who have spent the better part of our lives as members of this church. The
scriptures and the prophets have warned us for hundreds of years, and have been
trying to prepare us for this time. The scriptural and modern-day prophecies we
have read and heard throughout our lives are no longer prophecies to us – they
are now our living reality. Let me take a moment and share with you a few of the
scriptural and modern-day prophecies and quotes that I find interesting and
revealing.
First, on November 9th, 2012 ( just a few months ago) the First
Presidency issued the following statement: “We invite Americans everywhere,
whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his
administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and
turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and
judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American
people.” The most
glaring part of this statement, to me, is the acknowledgement from our prophet
and the First Presidency that we are living in difficult and turbulent times.
Now, listen carefully to these two quotes. To me, these quotes are fascinating,
and they reflect the ability of our leaders to see and predict the future.
In 1976 (this statement was made over 35 years ago) while
serving as a President of the Seventy, Neal A. Maxwell said the following:
"I fear, that, as
conditions worsen, many will react to the failures of too much government by
calling for even more government. Then there will be more and more lifeboats
launched, because fewer and fewer citizens know how to swim. Unlike some
pendulums, political pendulums do not swing back automatically; they must be
pushed. History is full of instances when people have waited in vain for
pendulums to swing back”.
In 1966 (this statement was made over 45 years ago) while
serving as an apostle, Howard W. Hunter said this:
“The government will take
from the “haves” and give to the “have nots.” [When this happens] Both have lost
their freedom. Those who “have,” lost their freedom to give voluntarily of their
own free will and in the way they desire. Those who “have not”, lost their
freedom because they did not earn what they received. They got “something for
nothing,” and they will neither appreciate the gift nor the giver of the
gift”.
Now I quote from 2 Timothy chapter 3, verses 1-4:
“This know
also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers
of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false
accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors,
heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God”.
Sound familiar? It does to me, and as the Stake President I not
only see it happening throughout the world, but I also see it happening right
here in our stake. These conditions described by Paul concerning the wickedness
of the last days are being realized right before my very eyes. As the Stake
President, I see and hear all manner of sin – violence, crime, alcohol and drug
abuse, and immorality of every kind. I believe there are not many things left
for my eyes to see and my ears to hear. Evil is escalating at an alarming pace
even here at home. Just as the Savior prophesied concerning the conditions in
the world that would precede his Second Coming: “iniquity does abound, the love
of men does wax cold” (JS-Matt. 1:30) and “all things are in commotion; and
surely, men’s hearts do fail them, for fear has come upon all people” (D&C
88:91).
I now quote Elder Bednar in a talk he gave one day after the
tragic events that occurred only 45 days ago in Connecticut. He said:
“We
live in a world that grows increasingly confused and chaotic - ever more evil
and dark. Nothing could have emphasized that truth more than the tragic events
that occurred yesterday in Connecticut.”
With his comments, Elder Bednar also quoted recent comments made by
President Packer, who said: “The world is spiraling downward at an
ever-quickening pace.” Now, pay close attention to this next sentence brothers
and sisters – President Packer said: “I am sorry to tell you that it will not
get better.” President Packer goes on to say: “I know of nothing in the history
of the Church, or in the history of the world to compare with our present
circumstances. Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds in
wickedness and depravity that which surrounds us now. Words of profanity,
vulgarity, and blasphemy are heard everywhere. Unspeakable wickedness and
perversion were once hidden in dark places; now they are in the open, and even
accorded legal protection. At Sodom and Gomorrah these things were localized.
Now, they are spread across the world, and they are among us”.
Brothers and Sisters, as I said last year during Ward
Conferences – “we are in the count down.” Again, I say to you, that the
scriptural and modern-day prophecies we have read and heard all throughout our
lives are no longer prophecies to us – they are now our living reality. If there
was ever a time in the history of the world for a people to wake up, pay
attention, and get it together – now is that time. This is a defining moment for
us, and we cannot delay. We need to get our temporal and spiritual houses in
order. It is a must. Difficult times are still ahead and we need to be prepared.
In my opinion, the last 5 years have put us on notice, and they should serve as
a wake-up call in both temporal and spiritual matters.
All throughout my life I have been counseled by our church leaders
to live within my means and get out of debt. In fact, there was no topic talked
about more by President Hinckley, during his time as the Prophet, than living
within our means and getting out of debt. As I look back on the last 5 years, it
is no wonder to me why he did. We experienced the worst economic, political, and
spiritual times in the history of our country, and even globally. The words of
President Packer during his visit to our stake 4 years ago still ring loudly in
my ears when he mentioned this topic and warned us, by saying:
"This time is
different. We have not experienced this in the past. This time it is global, and
it will be deeper and last longer than anything we have economically and
spiritually experienced.”
Now, while temporal and economic conditions appear to be
getting somewhat better, let us not kid ourselves about what is really going on.
Any improvement is only temporary, and the conditions we have experienced over
the last 5 years will eventually and certainly return, and even get worse. Let
us not forget the last 5 years, and let us learn from it. Let us all finally
follow the counsel of our prophets to live within our means and get out of debt.
It is possible to get out of debt if we live within our means, but it is not if
we don’t. Now, not
only is temporal preparedness vital for our mortal existence, but it also sets
the stage for us to be spiritually prepared. The most important matter for us to
consider right now and always is our spiritual preparedness.
“As the Stake Presidency we encourage each individual member to
set their own goals based on the following question:
What goal can I make
that will bring me closer to the Savior?
We trust that as you prayerfully
consider and ponder this question, it will be clear to you what your goal should
be. We also testify that your personal commitment and discipline to fulfill this
goal will indeed bring you closer to the Savior and will give you spiritual
strength to remain firm and steadfast in the gospel regardless of the
circumstances. Two other things I would also like to suggest are:
1) Don’t
let a day go by in your life when you do not humbly and sincerely kneel before
God to thank Him for your blessings and plead with Him to give you the spiritual
strength to meet the challenges which are coming.
2) Perform a spiritual self examination. Examine every aspect of
your life. Identify those things for which you need to repent and then do it.
Simply put, focus on your own personal worthiness.
In the end, the only things that will matter will be our personal
worthiness and our relationships, especially the one we have with the
Savior.
Brothers and Sisters, President Packer was absolutely right
when he said: “I am sorry to tell you that it will not get better.” As difficult
as it may be to embrace, it is simply God’s plan. The moral, economic and
political conditions of the world will not, overall, get better. You and I were
held back for this special time to prepare the earth for the return of the
Savior. I believe many within the sound of my voice will be part of, and
witnesses to, all of the events that will transpire prior to the return of the
Savior. This will require each of us to be temporally and spiritually stronger
than we are currently.
In closing let me share a quote from Heber C.
Kimball:
“The time is coming when we will be mixed up in these now
peaceful valleys to the extent that it will be difficult to tell the face of a
Saint from the face of an enemy to the people of God. Then, brothers and
sisters, look out for the great sieve, for there will be a great sifting time,
and many will fall; for I say unto you there is a test, a TEST is coming, and
who will be able to stand?
This church and each member of it has before it many close
places through which it will have to pass before the work of God is crowned with
victory. To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you
to be temporally and spiritually prepared, and have a knowledge of the truth of
this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the
man or woman who does not possess these things will fall.”
Brothers and sisters, the test has come. It is now upon us. No
man or woman will be able to endure what is happening now, or what is ahead, if
we are not temporally and spiritually prepared. If you are not, you will not
stand.
The Savior will return in glory and He will sustain us through
the difficult times ahead if we do our part and are temporally and spiritually
prepared. "
