In once case, which I'll discuss here, the topic seemed a bit jingoistic in a Conference addressing a worldwide church, rather than a church with most of its members in the United States.
Recent events, however, have brought two of these talks to the fore, and the counsel offered therein is more important now than it was when the messages were given. It's almost like those giving the talks are inspired or, dare I say, prophetic.
First, President Russell M. Nelson's talk called "The Power of Spiritual Momentum," from October 2022.
I love his introduction:
"My dear brothers and sisters, I love you. I cherish this opportunity to speak with you today. I pray daily that you will be protected from the fierce attacks of the adversary and have the strength to push forward through whatever challenges you face."
He promises we can find and maintain "spiritual momentum" that will carry us through the challenges we feel on a daily basis. He offers us four bits of advice:
1. Get on the covenant path and stay there.
2. Discover the joy of daily repentance.
3. Learn about God and how He works.
4. Seek and expect miracles.
5. End conflict in your personal life.
I strive -- I don't always succeed -- to live by this counsel.
He also says this:
"None of us can control nations or the actions of others or even members of our own families. But we can control ourselves. My call today, dear brothers and sisters, is to end conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life. Bury any and all inclinations to hurt others—whether those inclinations be a temper, a sharp tongue, or a resentment for someone who has hurt you. The Savior commanded us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and to pray for those who despitefully use us."
Emphasis is mine, but the words are his.
Boy did I need to re-hear that in 2025.
On to the one I thought was jingoistic at the time, but now I see was a warning for what we're seeing today.
I mean, of course, Dallin H. Oaks' "Defending our Divinely Inspired Constitution," from April 2021.
Why talk about the US Constitution to a worldwide church? Just maybe because the flouting of the Constitution we're seeing now is really having an impact on, you know, the world.
This is going to sound familiar, as we've already discussed President Nelson's talk:
"There are many political issues, and no party, platform, or individual candidate can satisfy all personal preferences. Each citizen must therefore decide which issues are most important to him or her at any particular time. Then members should seek inspiration on how to exercise their influence according to their individual priorities. This process will not be easy. It may require changing party support or candidate choices, even from election to election.
"Such independent actions will sometimes require voters to support candidates or political parties or platforms whose other positions they cannot approve. That is one reason we encourage our members to refrain from judging one another in political matters. We should never assert that a faithful Latter-day Saint cannot belong to a particular party or vote for a particular candidate. We teach correct principles and leave our members to choose how to prioritize and apply those principles on the issues presented from time to time. We also insist, and we ask our local leaders to insist, that political choices and affiliations not be the subject of teachings or advocacy in any of our Church meetings."
Emphasis here is mine, but the words are straight from his talk. I make these emphases because I hear things to the contrary on a constant basis from members of the church, who clearly hold what Elders Oaks says in little regard.
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