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“There are altogether too many people in the world who are willing to accept as true whatever is printed in a book or delivered from a pulpit. Their faith never goes below the surface soil of authority. I plead with everyone I meet that they may drive their faith down through that soil and get hold of the solid truth, that they may be able to withstand the winds and storm of indecision and of doubt, of opposition and persecution. Then, and only then, will we be able to defend our religion successfully. When I speak of defending our religion, I do not mean such defense as an army makes on the battlefield but the defense of a clean and upright and virtuous life lived in harmony with an intelligent belief and understanding of the gospel. As Mormons, we should do with religion as we do with music, not defend it but simply render it. It needs no defense. The living of religion is, after all, the greatest sermon, and if all of us would live it, we would create a symphony which would be appreciated by all.” http://www.sciencemeetsreligion.org/lds/lds-articles/brown-final.html Wow!! Excellent quote and so timely for me. I have just finished reading, A Kinship of Faith by The Dalai Llama. Excellent book that addresses the need for religious people all over the world to live their common doctrine of compassion and the golden rule. He advocates religious literacy. He advocates living your personal faith tradition to the best of your ability and this will promote peace in the world. Less wars where religion is the catalyst and more harmony among the religions of the world. As I read the quote I was about to pounce on you when he said, “defend our religion” because of the images that statement brought to my mind. I was so glad to continue reading and understand his explanation. I love the last 3 sentences. Thanks so much for sharing.
I didn’t properly reference the book I mentioned. The proper title is “Toward a True Kinship of Faiths: How the World’s Religions Can Come Together” by His Holiness The Dalai Lama. Sorry about that. Also: Quote:“One of the most important things in the world is freedom of the mind; from this all other freedoms spring. Such freedom is necessarily dangerous, for one cannot think right without running the risk of thinking wrong, but generally more thinking is the antidote for the evils that spring from wrong thinking.
More thinking is required, and we should all exercise our God-given right to think and be unafraid to express our opinions, with proper respect for those to whom we talk and proper acknowledgment of our own shortcomings. We must preserve freedom of the mind in the church and resist all efforts to suppress it. The church is not so much concerned with whether the thoughts of its members are orthodox or heterodox as it is that they shall have thoughts. One may memorize much without learning anything. In this age of speed there seems to be little time for meditation.”
My mother knew Elder Brown quite well at one point in her life. She absolutely loved him. He is a goldmine for great quotes – and I see him as kind of an earlier Elder Wirthlin. Great quote. Why is it, then, that so many in church are afraid to let you choose things for yourself…they quote the words of prophets as if that ends all discussion. “When the church leaders speak, the discussion is over” kind of attitude?
Is it laziness they don’t want to seek it out? Is it fear that if my ideas are different then theirs then chaos would take over the church?
Brigham Young had some similar quotes, but I don’t sense this attitude is respected or promoted at church. Is it just my experience? What do you say, Orson? It seems the reason the quote is so awesome and well posted on this site is because it is refreshing to hear…not familiar. Yes?
You’re right Heber, not so familiar. It is unfortunate. My point is that it IS a part of Mormon doctrine, although the more recent Mormon culture has suppressed it to some degree. What I like to think about are ideas that can be backed up with scripture and GA quotes. We don’t have to be shy about sharing them when that is the case. Many such quotes are avaliable from many church leaders, but: Stage 3 thinking is the most common thinking in the world and all reasonably large organizations. Thus, those in Stage 3 tend to be the ones who quote “authoritative” statements – meaning the large majority of available quotes that actually are quoted are of the Stage 3 variety. I can’t fault people for looking for and quoting statements that reinforce their perspectives. After all, it’s what happens here.
It’s just the way it is, so I grab onto this type of quote whenever I find it – not to convince, but to show I also “follow the Brethren”.
😆 I guess I will chose to quote this statement:
Old-Timer wrote:those in Stage 3 tend to be the ones who quote “authoritative” statements – meaning the large majority of available quotes that actually are quoted are of the Stage 3 variety.
Stage 3ers won’t even know what I’m talking about.😈
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