Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
Al Yankovic once said, “If you want to avoid heated arguments, never discuss religion, politics, or whether the toilet paper roll should go over or under.” That makes me a little worried as we discuss two of the three in this video. Sections 133 and 134 focus on the second coming and gospel of Jesus Christ and our views on governments.
Herodotus: “Babylon lies in a great plain, and in size it is such that each face measures one hundred and twenty furlongs, the shape of the whole being square; thus the furlongs of the circuit of the city amount in all to four hundred and eighty. Such is the size of the city of Babylon, and it had a magnificence greater than all other cities of which we have knowledge. First there runs round it a trench deep and broad and full of water; then a wall fifty royal cubits in thickness and two hundred cubits in height: now the royal cubit is larger by three fingers than the common cubit.” (Histories 1:178-179)
In scripture, Babylon:
Jerusalem
Babylon
President Russell M. Nelson: “You are a chosen generation,14 fore-determined by God to do a remarkable work—to help prepare the people of this world for the Second Coming of the Lord.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/article/worldwide-devotionals/2016/01/becoming-true-millennials?lang=eng)
4 "P"s
Prepare:
Al Yankovic: “If you want to avoid heated arguments, never discuss religion, politics, or whether the toilet paper roll should go over or under.”
Political Neutrality - https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/official-statement/political-neutrality
Religious Freedom (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/religious-freedom)
James Madison, often referred to as the father of the Constitution: “We have staked the whole future of American civilization not upon the power of the government—far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” (Russ Walton, Biblical Principles of Importance to Godly Christians, New Hampshire: Plymouth Foundation, 1984, p. 361.)
Abraham Lincoln responded to a question about which side God was on during the Civil War with this profound insight: “I am not at all concerned about that, for I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord’s side.” (Abraham Lincoln’s Stories and Speeches, ed. J. B. McClure, Chicago: Rhodes and McClure Publishing Co., 1896, pp. 185–86.)
Samuel Adams, who is sometimes called the father of the American Revolution, wrote: “I thank God that I have lived to see my country independent and free. She may long enjoy her independence and freedom if she will. It depends upon her virtue.” (Wells, The Life of Samuel Adams, 3:175.)
Abraham Lincoln: “We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of their own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!” (A Proclamation “to designate and set apart a day for national prayer and humiliation.”)
President Gordon B. Hinckley: “I was stirred in my heart by the words of our late, great President Harold B. Lee, who, speaking to a group such as this, said:
‘This nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail…. I have faith in America. You and I must have faith in America if we understand the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.’ (Deseret News, 27 October 1973.)
“I doubt not that we shall have days of trial…. But I am certain that if we will emphasize the greater good and turn our time and talents from vituperative criticism, from constantly looking for evil, and lift our sights to what may be done to build strength and goodness in our nation, America will continue to go forward with the blessing of the Almighty and stand as an ensign of strength and peace and generosity to all the world” (“Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”, BYU Speeches of the Year, October 29, 1974, pp. 267-68).
Teaching Thoughts:
Herodotus: “Babylon lies in a great plain, and in size it is such that each face measures one hundred and twenty furlongs, the shape of the whole being square; thus the furlongs of the circuit of the city amount in all to four hundred and eighty. Such is the size of the city of Babylon, and it had a magnificence greater than all other cities of which we have knowledge. First there runs round it a trench deep and broad and full of water; then a wall fifty royal cubits in thickness and two hundred cubits in height: now the royal cubit is larger by three fingers than the common cubit.” (Histories 1:178-179)
In scripture, Babylon:
- Merchandise included “slaves and the souls of men” (Rev 18:13).
- Made rich at the expense of others (see Rev. 18:15).
- Focused on carnality, sensuality.
- Marketed and sold sex.
- Known as a center of iniquity and worldliness.
- In opposition to righteousness.
Jerusalem
- “Holy City”
- House of the Lord
- Lord’s Earthly Kingdom
- Freedom
Babylon
- Evil Metropolis
- 50 Temples to false gods
- Kingdom of Lucifer
- Takes saints captive
President Russell M. Nelson: “You are a chosen generation,14 fore-determined by God to do a remarkable work—to help prepare the people of this world for the Second Coming of the Lord.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/article/worldwide-devotionals/2016/01/becoming-true-millennials?lang=eng)
4 "P"s
Prepare:
- Sanctify yourselves (v. 4)
- “Go ye out from Babylon (v. 5)
- “Speak often one to another (v. 6)
- Enlarge the borders of Zions (v. 9)
- Strengthen Zion’s stakes (v. 9)
- Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom (v. 10)
- Watch (v.11)
- Don’t “Look back” (v. 15)
- Hearken, hear, listen => turn back your heart to God (v. 16)
- “Call upon all nations, fist upon the Gentiles, and then upon the Jews” (v. 8)
- “This shall be their cry, and the voice of the Lord unto all people” (v. 9)
- “And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.(v. 37)
- “The presence of the Lord shall be as the melting fire that burneth” (v. 41)
- “And the Lord, even the Savior, shall stand in the midst of his people” (v. 25)
- “And they [in Zion] shall be filled with songs of everlasting joy” (v. 33)
- “Power to deliver” (v. 67)
- “redeem … bare … carry (v. 53)
- “Resurrect” (v. 55)
- “And he shall say: I am he who spake in righteousness, mighty to save.” (v. 47)
Al Yankovic: “If you want to avoid heated arguments, never discuss religion, politics, or whether the toilet paper roll should go over or under.”
Political Neutrality - https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/official-statement/political-neutrality
Religious Freedom (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/religious-freedom)
- Religious Freedom: The Basics
- Why Religious Freedom Matters
- “Religious Freedom” and “Fairness for All”
- When Rights Conflict
- Get Involved
- Lift Where You Stand: 10 Ways to Protect Religious Freedom
- 7 Keys to Successful Conversations
- Religious Freedom: Examples in Everyday Life
- Everyday Conversations: Creating Mutual Respect in Heated Discussions
- Religious Freedom in the Workplace
- Religion in Public Schools: 7 Religious Things You Can Still Do
- Teachings from Church Leaders
- Answers to Common Questions
James Madison, often referred to as the father of the Constitution: “We have staked the whole future of American civilization not upon the power of the government—far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” (Russ Walton, Biblical Principles of Importance to Godly Christians, New Hampshire: Plymouth Foundation, 1984, p. 361.)
Abraham Lincoln responded to a question about which side God was on during the Civil War with this profound insight: “I am not at all concerned about that, for I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord’s side.” (Abraham Lincoln’s Stories and Speeches, ed. J. B. McClure, Chicago: Rhodes and McClure Publishing Co., 1896, pp. 185–86.)
Samuel Adams, who is sometimes called the father of the American Revolution, wrote: “I thank God that I have lived to see my country independent and free. She may long enjoy her independence and freedom if she will. It depends upon her virtue.” (Wells, The Life of Samuel Adams, 3:175.)
Abraham Lincoln: “We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of their own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!” (A Proclamation “to designate and set apart a day for national prayer and humiliation.”)
President Gordon B. Hinckley: “I was stirred in my heart by the words of our late, great President Harold B. Lee, who, speaking to a group such as this, said:
‘This nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail…. I have faith in America. You and I must have faith in America if we understand the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.’ (Deseret News, 27 October 1973.)
“I doubt not that we shall have days of trial…. But I am certain that if we will emphasize the greater good and turn our time and talents from vituperative criticism, from constantly looking for evil, and lift our sights to what may be done to build strength and goodness in our nation, America will continue to go forward with the blessing of the Almighty and stand as an ensign of strength and peace and generosity to all the world” (“Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”, BYU Speeches of the Year, October 29, 1974, pp. 267-68).
Teaching Thoughts:
- How has your study of the Doctrine and Covenants helped prepare you for the second coming?
- .How our you explain our beliefs and attitudes concerning:
- Religious Freedom
- Church’s statements on political neutrality
- Government
- What can I do to strengthen my government?