Elder D. Todd Christofferson on Satan's traps in our lives

Elder D. Todd Christofferson (born January 24, 1945) was called to the Seventy in 1993, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2008.

"In the premortal world, Lucifer rebelled against God and His plan, and his opposition only grows in intensity. He fights to discourage marriage and the formation of families, and where marriages and families are formed, he does what he can to disrupt them. He attacks everything that is sacred about human sexuality, tearing it from the context of marriage with a seemingly infinite array of immoral thoughts and acts. He seeks to convince men and women that marriage and family priorities can be ignored or abandoned, or at least made subservient to careers, other achievements, and the quest for self-fulfillment and individual autonomy. Certainly the adversary is pleased when parents neglect to teach and train their children to have faith in Christ and be spiritually born again. Brothers and sisters, many things are good, many are important, but only a few are essential."

- D. Todd Christofferson, "Why Marriage, Why Family," General Conference, April 2015
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Elder Christofferson reminds us of an important perspective in our existence. When we understand the eternal plan of God and the broader perspective of our eternal lives, we recognize how critical it is for us to be aware and cautious in this life. Satan's rebellion against God in the premortal world set the stage for the battle that continues into this life. Satan now "fights to discourage marriage and the formation of families." There is an active force behind many of the trends we see in society, and Elder Christofferson explains how subtle Satan's influence can be in how society manipulates the thought processes that turn into actions. Satan rejoices when we fall into those traps, and particularly when we fail to set priorities in our family lives and our teaching of children. And that leads to this most important point:

We must be constantly on guard to focus on the essential things first, and the most important ones; and to we aware and wary of the many traps that are set for us.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)

President Dallin H. Oaks on intellectual principles and the gospel of Christ

President Dallin H. Oaks (born August 12, 1932) served as president of BYU from 1971-1980.  He was then appointed as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court, and resigned when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984. He became President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles and also 1st Counselor in the First Presidency in January 2018.

"Those who govern their thoughts and actions solely by the principles of liberalism or conservatism or intellectualism cannot be expected to agree with all of the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As for me, I find some wisdom in liberalism, some wisdom in conservatism, and much truth in intellectualism—but I find no salvation in any of them.

"The role of a preacher or a practitioner of righteousness is not to be popular with the world or to be esteemed by any particular group, but to be right with God. Isaiah affirmed that fact when he condemned the rebellious 'which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.' (Isa. 30:10.) It is easy to preach freedom or truth. Praise for those subjects is usually safe and always popular. It is infinitely more difficult to preach how men and women should use freedom or truth. The preacher of that message may command respect, but he or she will not win popularity.

"I conclude with a message of hope. When Isaiah condemned the critics of his day, he concluded with a prophecy. He said that in time the children of God would sanctify his name and 'fear the God of Israel.' Continuing, he declared, 'They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.' (Isa. 29:23–24.) In that spirit I pray for the day when all of us will know God and keep his commandments. In that day, as Isaiah foretold, the 'king shall reign in righteousness,' and 'the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.' (Isa. 32:1, 17.)"

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Critisicm," talk to an LDSSA fireside on 4 May 1986; see Ensign, February 1987, p. 68-70
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This thought-provoking talk was shared with a gathering of young adults early in President Oaks' service as an apostle. His views on learning and philosophy are very interesting in light of that new focus of his life. I appreciate his open-minded description of finding merit in a variety of approaches to life and politics: liberalism, conservatism, and intellectualism. But the critical distinction is between finding wisdom and insight, and finding salvation:

President Oaks makes a critical distinction between the teaching of intellectual principles and the insights of the gospel. While it's one thing for a man to talk about ideas like truth and freedom, it's quite another to discuss how to use those ideas in practical daily living.

The key for us is to learn doctrine and to obey commandments. With those two priorities, the rest of the intellectual endeavors will fall into their proper places.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)