Mask of Tolerance

Back in 2008 the prophet at the time, President Thomas S. Monson, warned that the philosophies of men surround us and that the face of sin often wears the mask of tolerance.  He encouraged us to stay strong and don't be deceived.  Here is his quote: 

"My young friends, be strong. The philosophies of men surround us. The face of sin today often wears the mask of tolerance. Do not be deceived; behind that facade is heartache, unhappiness, and pain. You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that. The character of transgression remains the same. If your so-called friends urge you to do anything you know to be wrong, you be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone. Have the moral courage to be a light for others to follow. There is no friendship more valuable than your own clear conscience, your own moral cleanliness—and what a glorious feeling it is to know that you stand in your appointed place clean and with the confidence that you are worthy to do so."  – President Thomas S. Monson, Examples of Righteousness, April 2008 General Conference

The mask of tolerance and philosophies of men are becoming pandemic in the Church.  Tolerating sin is not Christlike.  Yet that's all I hear from Church members nowadays – that we just need to love everybody (because it's the Christlike thing to do).  And as a consequence of our love for our fellow neighbor that we should tolerate (and in the name of tolerance even embrace) their sins.  That is not what Christ taught.  That is the philosophy of men.  Yes, Christ loves everybody.  But He also did not tolerate sin.  He told the woman taken in adultery to go and sin no more.  He turned the money changers' tables over in the temple.  We need to be less worried about offending people and more worried about defending truth.  Which is actually the Christlike thing to do.

We can love sinners without tolerating and embracing their sins.  This is what people don't understand.  I know many people who flaunt their sins – homosexuals, adulterers, fornicators of all kinds, etc. – yet I still love them.  I don't love what they're doing, it makes me very sad.  But I know they are all children of God and still love and pray for them. 

Satan has been pushing the LGBT agenda for decades.  It is now to the point where many, if not most, members embrace the LGBT agenda in the name of "love".  This is what President Monson warned us about.  The LGBT lifestyle is sinful.  Yet so many Church members not only tolerate but embrace it.  I hate to burst their bubble but living the LGBT lifestyle will always be sinful.  Same-sex "marriage" will never be sanctioned nor accepted in the Church.  There will never ever be same-sex marriages in the Temple nor in Latter-day Saint churches.  This is basic, simple doctrine.  Yet many deceived members hope for the doctrine to change one day.  Never gonna happen.  All members should know this.

The mask of tolerance is extremely dangerous.  We must not tolerate sin in the guise of loving others.  We must defend truth.  If others are offended by truth, then so be it.  As members of the Lord's true Church, it is our responsibility to teach and defend truth regardless of whether we stand alone or are persecuted for our efforts.  It is our responsibility as Disciples of Christ to defend truth, regardless of consequence.

President Monson went on to teach:

"Ours is the task to be fitting examples. We are strengthened by the truth that the greatest force in the world today is the power of God as it works through man." – President Thomas S. Monson, Examples of Righteousness, April 2008 General Conference

As Disciples of Christ, it is our job to defend truth and be examples of righteousness.  It helps to know that we are on the winning side, and that we have the power of God behind us.

 "If we are on the Lord’s errand, brethren, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Never forget that truth. That divine help, of course, is predicated upon our worthiness. Each must ask: Are my hands clean? Is my heart pure? Am I a worthy servant of the Lord?" – President Thomas S. Monson, Examples of Righteousness, April 2008 General Conference

A great reminder from President Monson that when we are on the Lord's errand, He will help us – if we are worthy.  This is why it's so important to try our best to live worthy lives, so that we can have the Lord's help as we serve Him.

In this talk, President Monson quoted President N. Eldon Tanner who said:

“Nothing will bring greater joy and success than to live according to the teachings of the gospel. Be an example; be an influence for good."

This quote sums it up.  No greater joy can be found than to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

Let us all be worthy servants of the Lord.  Let us all strive to live according to the teachings of the gospel.  Let us all be an influence for good.  Let us all be Christlike examples willing to stand for truth.  Let us not be deceived by the philosophies of men.  Let us see through the façade of sin masquerading as tolerance.  Let us defend truth at all times and in all places.  

That's my two cents.