. President David O. McKay in the October general conference of 1956said: Years later, in the 1995 October general conference, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland admonished the young men of the Church: The conference talks from these two general authorities suggest that young … Contributed By Jason Swensen, Church News staff writer. A scan of the original document printed by Deseret Book: LatterdayConservative.com (2004-2021). We have no intention of trying to interfere with the fullest and freest exercise of the political franchise of our members under and within our Constitution, which the Lord declared he established “by the hands of wise men whom [he] raised up unto this very purpose” (D&C 101:80) and which, as to the principles thereof, the Prophet Joseph Smith, dedicating the Kirtland Temple, prayed should be “established forever.” (D&C 109:54.) Type: Talk or Speech. David O. McKay Return to Main Margie's Messages Home Page (Full List of Topics) Top Resources (each leads to many more resources) LDS.org Church History: David O. McKay. McKay School of Education 301 MCKB - BYU Provo, UT 84602 Advisement Center: 801-422-3426 Advisement Email: eac.frontdesk@byu.edu Contact the Dean's Office 4 Oct 1968 A Citizen Who Loves Justice and Hates Evil Is Better and Stronger Than a Battleship General Conference. : exmormon 185k members in the exmormon community. He asked this question in the presence of several other people, then proceeded to give a mini-talk on what it felt like to have a testimony. (Heber J. On the flyleaf of the book, The Naked Communist, by W. Cleon Skousen, we find this quotation, (and I admonish everybody to read that excellent book of Chief Skousen's) : ‘the conflict between communism and freedom is the problem of our time. McKay at New Zealand Temple,” Church News, 10 May 1958, 2, 6. They are free to participate in nonchurch meetings that are held to warn people of the threat of Communism or any other theory or principle that will deprive us of our free agency or individual liberties vouchsafed by the Constitution of the United States. The David O. McKay Library serves university and community patrons with a vast book collection, hundreds of databases, and much more. In the October, 1942 General Conference, J. Reuben Clark, Jr. read a message from the First Presidency to the general Church membership. They are, of course, encouraged to honor the highest standards of the gospel and to work to preserve their own freedoms. Prophet David O. McKay (1873 - 1970): “Well, the era through which we are passing is no exception. A half-century ago, on September 30, 1966, President David O. McKay offered the opening message at the Church’s 136th Semiannual General Conference at the Salt Lake Tabernacle. “Preach that honesty in government is essential to the perpetuation and stability of our government as it is necessary to the stability of character in the individual.” —President David O. McKay. Submitted by An anonymous coward on Thu, 10/28/2004 - 5:12pm. Submitted by provojoe on Thu, 10/28/2004 - 4:26pm. A statement by President David O. McKay concerning the position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Communism.. David O. McKay's Final General Conference Talk as LDS Church President . '" - David O. McKay:, Conference Report, October 1958, Afternoon Meeting, p.131. He stopped and chatted with everyone he could get to. You have tried to cleanse your heart of all unrighteousness, and if you put forth precious effort you can sense as you pray to God to keep you that night that He accepts your effort.” ~David O. McKay David O. McKay's Father's Testimony of … Supporting the FBI, the police, the congressional committees investigating Communism, and various organizations that are attempting to awaken the people through educational means is a policy we warmly endorse for all our people. In 1966, President David O. McKay encouraged the Saints to “walk in the light as He is in the light, thereby avoiding the unhappiness, sinfulness, and misery of a misguided world.” His message is applicable today. Communism destroys man’s God-given free agency. Down with love for one’s neighbor. President David O. McKay lived to be 96, the second oldest living prophet in modern times (President Hinckley died at 97 years old). David O. McKay on war. On September 11, 1857, a train of migrants driving cattle through Utah were ambushed and killed on the way to California. — President David O. McKay A half-century ago, on September 30, 1966, President David O. McKay offered the opening message at the Church’s 136th Semiannual General Conference at … . We wish all of our citizens throughout the land were participating in some type of organized self-education in order that they could better appreciate what is happening and know what they can do about it. Even the best of them must be considered our worst enemies. President McKay’s health didn’t always allow him to stand and deliver his General Conference address near the end of his life. ... funny how you heard the same talk as i did and painted it your prefered color. But his prophetic message that day was timely and timeless. Communism debases the individual and makes him the enslaved tool of the state, to which he must look for sustenance and religion. His once strapping frame (he had been a college football lineman) had turned frail. His voice was weak. “Preach that honesty in government is essential to the perpetuation and stability of our government as it is necessary to the stability of character in the individual.”, He concluded his remarks with a loving blessing: “God help us all to walk in the light as He is in the light, thereby avoiding the unhappiness, sinfulness, and misery of a misguided world.”, "Every Member a Missionary" Motto Stands Firm Today. Our immediate concern, however, is not with parties, groups, or persons, but with principles. Author: David O. McKay. My favorite memory is of President David O. McKay walking among the conference attendees sitting on the lawns of temple square between the morning and evening sessions of conference with President Tanner in tow in 1966. The Lord has declared this “a day of warning, and not a day of many words” (). Talks by David O. McKay. We will never win our fight against communism by making concessions to socialism. He spoke of the strength he received from the example of Latter-day Saints worldwide. President David O. McKay was brought up with a respect for the U.S. Constitution, a respect which was deepened by his personal commitment to free agency. David O. McKay's First General Conference Talk as LDS Church President . We therefore commend and encourage every person and every group who is sincerely seeking to study Constitutional principles and awaken a sleeping and apathetic people to the alarming conditions that are rapidly advancing about us. ... General Conference. Back to Mormon Quotes Index. The Church does not yield any of its devotion to or convictions about safeguarding the American principles and the establishments of government under federal and state constitutions and the civil rights of men safeguarded by these. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay) Conference Report, October 1942, p.12-13. “I love life,” he said. Kimball, Spencer W. “Official Report of the Samoa Area Conference Held in Pago Pago and Apia, Samoa, February 15, 16, 17, 18, 1976.” McKay, David O. A statement by President David O. McKay concerning the position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Communism. Quorum of the Twelve (9 Apr 1906 - 11 Oct 1934) Oct 1911 Unspotted from the World gc 1911 October. Meha Tape, Waipawa, Hawkle’s Bay. My 21-year-old son, Ethan, was home from college for a couple weeks this summer. David’s maternal grandmother bequeathed a substantial sum of money to help educate the McKay children, making it possible for David O. McKay and three of his siblings to attend the University of Utah, and David graduated from the university as valedictorian and class president in 1897. David O. McKay, endorsed Skousen’s book, The Naked Communist, in LDS General Conference, and so did another Prophet, Ezra Taft Benson, on multiple occasions. It was delivered by his son, Robert R. McKay. My message is a witness and warning about some of the evils which threaten America—a land I love with all my heart. President David O. McKay 9th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints April 1951 122nd Annual General Conference Sunday Solemn Assembly Session ', 'True education does not consist merely in the acquiring of a few facts of science, history, literature, or art, but in the development of character. Zoom webinar by Saïd El Khadraoui, Founder of Impact Lab and Former Member of European Parliament. “I think it is a joy to live in this age. “It is because of these threatening dangers that the world should become anchored in the eternal truths of Jesus Christ and realize that there are eternal verities in this changing world,” he said. His tenure as President of the Church took place during the Cold War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam Conflict. Nevertheless, he prepared talks which were delivered in his behalf by someone else, generally one of his sons. The Church, out of respect for the rights of all its members to have their political views and loyalties, must maintain the strictest possible neutrality. Every morning, as I view from my window the mountains to the east and greet the sun as it ushers in these unexcelled autumn days, I feel the joy and privilege of life and appreciate God’s goodness.”. An honest government is as crucial to national stability as it is to personal character. What we want is hate. In this connection, we are continually being asked to give our opinion concerning various patriotic groups or individuals who are fighting Communism and speaking up for freedom. It was entitled “Consciousness of God: Supreme Goal of Life.” (He did repurpose some material from an earlier talk he gave in April 1946 on the topic of the sacrament.) His counsel on the eternal nature of honesty rings true 50 years later in a time of shifting and situational ethics and beliefs. Christian love is an obstacle to the development of the revolution. 4:10.). President Wilkinson, members of the faculty, and students of the Brigham Young University: No one can face this audience of 10,000 students and friends without his soul being filled with emotion. Yet on this opening day of general conference in 1966, President McKay was a man deep into the winter of his life. 4/19/09 "If we desire to learn the ideal life to lead among our fellowmen, we can find a perfect example in the life of Jesus. For any Latter-day Saint under 60, the 93-year-old President McKay had been a source of comfort and counsel their entire life. The position of this Church on the subject of Communism has never changed. him only shalt thou serve.” Matt. President McKay had also asked Skousen to write the book. Related: In his 1961 General Conference talk, Ezra Taft Benson explained that “We must ever keep in mind that collectivized socialism is part of the communist strategy. Restricted. President McKay showed the effects of his age, but his trademark enthusiasm would not be dimmed. Communism and socialism, closely related, must be defeated on principle.”. Listen to an actual recording of David O. McKay as he testifies that he who presides over the Church must be in tune with Jesus Christ. General Resources. This is the last such discourse by President McKay. David Oman McKay (September 8, 1873 – January 18, 1970) was an American religious leader and educator who served as the ninth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1951 until his death in 1970. New Zealand, July 1962. Fifty years ago in April 1967, David Oman McKay (1873-1970), the ninth president of the LDS Church, gave a talk in the priesthood session of General Conference that was unique. “It is a source of real encouragement to contemplate the loyalty and energetic efforts of the members of the Church who are contributing of their time and their means to building up the kingdom of God on earth.”. Communism is militantly atheistic and is committed to the destruction of faith wherever it may be found. No member of this Church can be true to his faith, nor can any American be loyal to his trust, while lending aid, encouragement, or sympathy to any of these false philosophies; for if he does, they will prove snares to his feet. Under the title of PARENTHOOD, the following was said: Communism is fundamentally socialism. The Church’s ninth President also stood on the prophet’s “watchtower,” offering guidance at a moment defined by war and social turbulence. His key teachings—including “Every member a missionary” and “No other success can compensate for failure in the home”—remain familiar and relevant today, decades after they were first uttered. You who have seen these dangers in the land you love will have a deep feeling for what I will say. And this association has extended to the clothes we wear. Closed for 50 years from the date of creation of the records, and thereafter open to the public in accordance with the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Restriction Policy. A few general authorities have commented on this connection. To members of the Church, white has become almost inextricably linked with the concept of purity and goodness. Surely everyone gathered inside the Tabernacle—or viewing or listening to the conference from afar—sat up in his or her seat a bit taller as the leonine prophet began to speak. The building also houses university archives, a special exhibition area, and instructional technology labs. Church members are at perfect liberty to act according to their own consciences in the matter of safeguarding our way of life. “Dedicatory Prayer Delivered By Pres. David O. McKay General Conference opening address, 1961 Dates. Learn more about guidelines and necessary forms. The Russian Commissar of Education wrote: “We must hate Christians and Christianity. Transcript. We consider it the greatest satanical threat to peace, prosperity, and the spread of God’s work among men that exists on the face of the earth. In possession of author. 83 quotes from David O. McKay: 'The greatest battles of life are fought out daily in the silent chambers of the soul. Runtime: 00:45:01. In order that there may be no misunderstanding by bishops, stake presidents, and others regarding members of the Church participating in nonchurch meetings to study and become informed on the Constitution of the United States, Communism, etc., I wish to make the following statements that I have been sending out from my office for some time and that have come under question by some stake authorities, bishoprics, and others. Note:President David O. McKay was unable to attend General Conference the last few years of his life due to circumstances of age and health. Whatsoever our noble desires, our lofty aspirations, our ideals in any phase of life, we can look to Christ and find perfection. Only then shall we conquer the universe.”, On the other hand, the gospel teaches the existence of God as our Eternal and Heavenly Father and declares: “. In a changing world, we must be anchored in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Show Timeline. There are other countries with this same problem. 1961 Conditions Governing Access. President David O. McKay In 1965, President David O. McKay made the following statement to a group of Church employees: Let me assure you, Brethren, that some day you will have a personal priesthood interview with the Savior himself. In June of 1965, a group of brethren in the Physical Facilities Department of the Church was doing some work outside the Hotel Utah apartment of President David O. McKay. On Sunday when he came to church with us, our bishop asked him, "So, are you still active in the Church?" Called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1906 at the age of 32, he radiated influence that would survive his apostolic tenure. General Conference Talks "Prophets Are Inspired" - David B. Haight. “It is glorious when you can lie down at night with a clear conscience that you have done your best not to offend anyone and have injured no one. As President McKay stopped to explain to them the importance of the work in which they were engaged, he paused and told them about an interview with the Savior. The entire concept and philosophy of Communism is diametrically opposed to everything for which the Church stand’s — belief in Deity, belief in the dignity and eternal nature of man, and the application of the gospel to efforts for peace in the world. Fair Use | Disclaimer, Educational LDS Resources on Freedom & Liberty, 1961 General Conference talk, Ezra Taft Benson explained, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. In order that there may be no misunderstanding by bishops, stake presidents, and others regarding members of the Church participating in nonchurch meetings to study and become informed on the Constitution of the United States, Communism, etc., David O. 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