Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
‘Anti-Mormon’ articles appeared in the newspaper early in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What are appropriate ways to respond to criticism of the Church? In these sections, the Lord suggests one way for Joseph Smith as goes from town to town and testify of what he has experienced and knows to be true. Advice is also given to bishops, missionaries, and to every member of the church in these sections.
The Prophet Joseph Smith’s history called Ezra Booth’s writings a “series of letters, which, by their coloring, falsity, and vain calculations to overthrow the work of the Lord, exposed his [Booth’s] weakness, wickedness and folly, and left him a monument of his own shame, for the world to wonder at.” (History of the Church, 1:216–17)
President Dallin H. Oaks: “On the subject of public discourse, we should all follow the gospel teachings to love our neighbor and avoid contention. Followers of Christ should be examples of civility. We should love all people, be good listeners, and show concern for their sincere beliefs. Though we may disagree, we should not be disagreeable. Our stands and communications on controversial topics should not be contentious.
“We should be wise in explaining and pursuing our positions and in exercising our influence. In doing so, we ask that others not be offended by our sincere religious beliefs and the free exercise of our religion. We encourage all of us to practice the Savior’s Golden Rule: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12). (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2014/10/loving-others-and-living-with-differences?lang=eng).
Elder Orson F. Whitney: “The thought of assuming this important responsibility (the office of bishop) was almost more than [Newel K. Whitney] could bear. … He … distrusted his ability, and [felt] incapable of discharging the high and holy trust. In his perplexity he appealed to the Prophet:
“‘I cannot see a Bishop in myself, Brother Joseph; but if you say it’s the Lord’s will, I’ll try.’
“‘You need not take my word alone;’ answered the Prophet, kindly, ‘Go and ask Father for yourself.’
“Newel … determined to do as [the Prophet] advised. … His humble, heartfelt prayer was answered. In the silence of night and the solitude of his chamber, he heard a voice from heaven:
‘Thy strength is in me.’ The words were few and simple, but they had a world of meaning. His doubts were dispelled like dew before the dawn. He straightway sought the Prophet, told him he was satisfied, and was willing to accept the office to which he had been called.” (Orson F. Whitney “The Aaronic Priesthood,” Contributor, Jan. 1885, 126).
Elder Neil A. Maxwell: “Some of us stand before no more harsh a judge than ourselves, a judge who stubbornly refuses to admit much happy evidence and who cares nothing for due process.” (Ensign, Nov. 1976, 13.)
“Thy strength is in me.”
Duty of the bishop:
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin: “Each of you has an eternal calling from which no Church officer has authority to release you. This is a calling given you by our Heavenly Father Himself. In this eternal calling, as with all other callings, you have a stewardship, and "it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every steward, to render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity." This most important stewardship is the glorious responsibility your Father in Heaven has given you to watch over and care for your own soul.” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, "True to the Truth," Ensign, May 1997, 16)
Elder J. Richard Clarke: "I believe there are three elements which characterize successful stewardship agency, diligence, and accountability. We are free to accept or reject the invitation to serve, but once we accept, we assume full responsibility for the results." (, Conference Report, October 1978, p. 122.)
What is the effect of a righteous woman/man in the home?
"The apostle Paul pointed out in 1 Corinthians 7:12-14 how a faithful Church member could, through his or her influence and example, convert a nonmember spouse and bring the sanctifying blessings of the gospel into their family. They would thereby save not only themselves but also their children from being subject to false traditions. Paul did not advocate marrying an unbeliever, however; to the contrary, he recognized the inadvisability of being "unequally yoked together with unbelievers" (2 Corinthians 6:14)" (Richard O. Cowan, Answers to Your Questions About the Doctrine and Covenants, 84.)
"In the Corinthian Church, some evidently held that when the husband, or wife, had been converted, he, or she, ought to abandon the unconverted partner as unclean and contaminating. Not at all! St. Paul says, in substance, that the conversion of one of the partners has brought a sanctifying influence into the family. . . . `Else', the Apostle argues, `were your children unclean.' If the wife this is the argument must abandon a husband because he is not a Church member, she would also be obliged to abandon her children. But this is not required." (Smith, Hyrum M., and Janne M. Sjodahl, Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, p. 432.)
Elder Donald L. Hallstrom: “Unwanted traditions are those which lead us away from performing holy ordinances and keeping sacred covenants. Our guide should be the doctrine taught by the scriptures and the prophets. Traditions which devalue marriage and family, abase women or do not recognize the majesty of their God given roles, honor temporal success more than spiritual, or teach that reliance upon God is a weakness of character all lead us away from eternal truths.” (Conference Report, Oct. 2000, 35-36; or Ensign, Nov. 2000, 28)
Some Advice for Missionaries in Section 75:
Teaching Thoughts:
The Prophet Joseph Smith’s history called Ezra Booth’s writings a “series of letters, which, by their coloring, falsity, and vain calculations to overthrow the work of the Lord, exposed his [Booth’s] weakness, wickedness and folly, and left him a monument of his own shame, for the world to wonder at.” (History of the Church, 1:216–17)
President Dallin H. Oaks: “On the subject of public discourse, we should all follow the gospel teachings to love our neighbor and avoid contention. Followers of Christ should be examples of civility. We should love all people, be good listeners, and show concern for their sincere beliefs. Though we may disagree, we should not be disagreeable. Our stands and communications on controversial topics should not be contentious.
“We should be wise in explaining and pursuing our positions and in exercising our influence. In doing so, we ask that others not be offended by our sincere religious beliefs and the free exercise of our religion. We encourage all of us to practice the Savior’s Golden Rule: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12). (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2014/10/loving-others-and-living-with-differences?lang=eng).
Elder Orson F. Whitney: “The thought of assuming this important responsibility (the office of bishop) was almost more than [Newel K. Whitney] could bear. … He … distrusted his ability, and [felt] incapable of discharging the high and holy trust. In his perplexity he appealed to the Prophet:
“‘I cannot see a Bishop in myself, Brother Joseph; but if you say it’s the Lord’s will, I’ll try.’
“‘You need not take my word alone;’ answered the Prophet, kindly, ‘Go and ask Father for yourself.’
“Newel … determined to do as [the Prophet] advised. … His humble, heartfelt prayer was answered. In the silence of night and the solitude of his chamber, he heard a voice from heaven:
‘Thy strength is in me.’ The words were few and simple, but they had a world of meaning. His doubts were dispelled like dew before the dawn. He straightway sought the Prophet, told him he was satisfied, and was willing to accept the office to which he had been called.” (Orson F. Whitney “The Aaronic Priesthood,” Contributor, Jan. 1885, 126).
Elder Neil A. Maxwell: “Some of us stand before no more harsh a judge than ourselves, a judge who stubbornly refuses to admit much happy evidence and who cares nothing for due process.” (Ensign, Nov. 1976, 13.)
“Thy strength is in me.”
- “You’re better than you think you are.”
- Keep an eternal perspective.
- Serve others.
- Look for the Hand of the Lord in your life each day and record it.
- Distinguish “between divine discontent and the devil’s dissonance.” (Ensign, Nov. 1976, 14.)
- Renew spiritual reserves.
Duty of the bishop:
- “To keep the Lord’s storehouse” (v. 10).
- “Receive the funds of the church” (v. 11).
- “To take an account of the elders as before has been commanded;” (v. 11).
- “Administer to their wants,” (v. 12).
- Take care of “the poor and needy” (v. 12).
- “Administering the gospel and the things of the kingdom unto the church, and unto the world” (v. 14)
- “Every elder in this part of the vineyard must give an account of his stewardship unto the bishop in this part of the vineyard” (v. 16).
- “That they also may render themselves approved in all things, and be accounted as wise stewards.” (v. 22). •
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin: “Each of you has an eternal calling from which no Church officer has authority to release you. This is a calling given you by our Heavenly Father Himself. In this eternal calling, as with all other callings, you have a stewardship, and "it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every steward, to render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity." This most important stewardship is the glorious responsibility your Father in Heaven has given you to watch over and care for your own soul.” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, "True to the Truth," Ensign, May 1997, 16)
Elder J. Richard Clarke: "I believe there are three elements which characterize successful stewardship agency, diligence, and accountability. We are free to accept or reject the invitation to serve, but once we accept, we assume full responsibility for the results." (, Conference Report, October 1978, p. 122.)
What is the effect of a righteous woman/man in the home?
"The apostle Paul pointed out in 1 Corinthians 7:12-14 how a faithful Church member could, through his or her influence and example, convert a nonmember spouse and bring the sanctifying blessings of the gospel into their family. They would thereby save not only themselves but also their children from being subject to false traditions. Paul did not advocate marrying an unbeliever, however; to the contrary, he recognized the inadvisability of being "unequally yoked together with unbelievers" (2 Corinthians 6:14)" (Richard O. Cowan, Answers to Your Questions About the Doctrine and Covenants, 84.)
"In the Corinthian Church, some evidently held that when the husband, or wife, had been converted, he, or she, ought to abandon the unconverted partner as unclean and contaminating. Not at all! St. Paul says, in substance, that the conversion of one of the partners has brought a sanctifying influence into the family. . . . `Else', the Apostle argues, `were your children unclean.' If the wife this is the argument must abandon a husband because he is not a Church member, she would also be obliged to abandon her children. But this is not required." (Smith, Hyrum M., and Janne M. Sjodahl, Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, p. 432.)
Elder Donald L. Hallstrom: “Unwanted traditions are those which lead us away from performing holy ordinances and keeping sacred covenants. Our guide should be the doctrine taught by the scriptures and the prophets. Traditions which devalue marriage and family, abase women or do not recognize the majesty of their God given roles, honor temporal success more than spiritual, or teach that reliance upon God is a weakness of character all lead us away from eternal truths.” (Conference Report, Oct. 2000, 35-36; or Ensign, Nov. 2000, 28)
Some Advice for Missionaries in Section 75:
- “Calling on the name of the Lord for the Comforter” (v. 10).
- “Praying always that they faint not; and inasmuch as they do this, I will be with them even unto the end” (v. 11).
- “You shall be filled with ajoy and gladness” (v. 21).
- “Gird up your loins and be faithful, and ye shall overcome all things, and be lifted up at the last day” (v. 22).
- “Be diligent in all things” (v. 29).
Teaching Thoughts:
- We need “to know the content” of the scriptures and topics in the church’s ‘Gospel Topics’ essays “like you know the back of your hand” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/article/evening-with-a-general-authority/2016/02/the-opportunities-and-responsibilities-of-ces-teachers-in-the-21st-century?lang=eng)
- Make a list of how “Thy strength is in me (Christ).”
- What can you do this week to take care of the “most important stewardship … to watch over and care for your own soul?”
- Traditions. What traditions brings your closer to Christ? What traditions ones don’t?