Priesthood Authority in the Family and the Church

Priesthood Authority in the Family and the Church

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2005 General Conference

"The theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints centers on the family. Our relationship to God and the purpose of earth life are explained in terms of the family. We are the spirit children of heavenly parents. The gospel plan is implemented through earthly families, and our highest aspiration is to perpetuate those family relationships throughout eternity. The ultimate mission of our Savior’s Church is to help us achieve exaltation in the celestial kingdom, and that can only be accomplished in a family relationship."

Pornography - Elder Oaks, Apr 2005

Pornography

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2005 General Conference

"Let us all improve our personal behavior and redouble our efforts to protect our loved ones and our environment from the onslaught of pornography that threatens our spirituality, our marriages, and our children."

Be Not Deceived - Elder Oaks, Oct 2004

Be Not Deceived

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2004 General Conference

"The Holy Ghost will protect us against being deceived, but to realize that wonderful blessing we must always do the things necessary to retain that Spirit. We must keep the commandments, pray for guidance, and attend church and partake of the sacrament each Sunday. And we must never do anything to drive away that Spirit. Specifically, we should avoid pornography, alcohol, tobacco and drugs, and always, always avoid violations of the law of chastity. We must never take things into our bodies or do things with our bodies that drive away the Spirit of the Lord and leave us without our spiritual protection against deception."

Preparation for the Second Coming - Elder Oaks, Apr 2004

Preparation for the Second Coming

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2004 General Conference

"Four matters are indisputable to Latter-day Saints: (1) The Savior will return to the earth in power and great glory to reign personally during a millennium of righteousness and peace. (2) At the time of His coming there will be a destruction of the wicked and a resurrection of the righteous. (3) No one knows the time of His coming, but (4) the faithful are taught to study the signs of it and to be prepared for it."

Repentance and Change - Elder Oaks, Oct 2003

Repentance and Change

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2003 General Conference

"The gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to change. “Repent” is its most frequent message, and repenting means giving up all of our practices—personal, family, ethnic, and national—that are contrary to the commandments of God. The purpose of the gospel is to transform common creatures into celestial citizens, and that requires change."

Give Thanks in All Things - Elder Oaks, Apr 2003

Give Thanks in All Things

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2003 General Conference

"When we give thanks in all things, we see hardships and adversities in the context of the purpose of life. We are sent here to be tested. There must be opposition in all things. We are meant to learn and grow through that opposition, through meeting our challenges, and through teaching others to do the same."