My message is a witness and warning about some of the evils which threaten America—a land I love with all my heart. 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. 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. . President McKay’s health didn’t always allow him to stand and deliver his General Conference address near the end of his life. 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 … 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. His counsel on the eternal nature of honesty rings true 50 years later in a time of shifting and situational ethics and beliefs. 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. 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. For any Latter-day Saint under 60, the 93-year-old President McKay had been a source of comfort and counsel their entire life. 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. Mountain Meadows Massacre. ', '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. 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. On September 11, 1857, a train of migrants driving cattle through Utah were ambushed and killed on the way to California. . 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. Christian love is an obstacle to the development of the revolution. His tenure as President of the Church took place during the Cold War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam Conflict. 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 There are other countries with this same problem. The building also houses university archives, a special exhibition area, and instructional technology labs. Talks by David O. McKay. A statement by President David O. McKay concerning the position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Communism.. 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. And this association has extended to the clothes we wear. He stopped and chatted with everyone he could get to. “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. 2020 Events October 27th: The European Green Deal: Europe's New Growth Strategy. 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. The David O. McKay Library serves university and community patrons with a vast book collection, hundreds of databases, and much more. “Dedicatory Prayer Delivered By Pres. Communism is militantly atheistic and is committed to the destruction of faith wherever it may be found. 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.) Down with love for one’s neighbor. — 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 … 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. Communism debases the individual and makes him the enslaved tool of the state, to which he must look for sustenance and religion. Church members are at perfect liberty to act according to their own consciences in the matter of safeguarding our way of life. In the October, 1942 General Conference, J. Reuben Clark, Jr. read a message from the First Presidency to the general Church membership. Learn more about guidelines and necessary forms. The Russian Commissar of Education wrote: “We must hate Christians and Christianity. '" - David O. McKay:, Conference Report, October 1958, Afternoon Meeting, p.131. They are, of course, encouraged to honor the highest standards of the gospel and to work to preserve their own freedoms. Whatsoever our noble desires, our lofty aspirations, our ideals in any phase of life, we can look to Christ and find perfection. 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. Fair Use | Disclaimer, Educational LDS Resources on Freedom & Liberty, 1961 General Conference talk, Ezra Taft Benson explained, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. This is the last such discourse by President McKay. 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. The position of this Church on the subject of Communism has never changed. Author: David O. McKay. President David O. McKay 9th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints October 1969 140th Semiannual General Conference Sunday Afternoon Session (Read by his son Robert R. McKay) 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. 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. 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. “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. Contributed By Jason Swensen, Church News staff writer. 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. 83 quotes from David O. McKay: 'The greatest battles of life are fought out daily in the silent chambers of the soul. 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. 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. A few general authorities have commented on this connection. His once strapping frame (he had been a college football lineman) had turned frail. We will never win our fight against communism by making concessions to socialism. To members of the Church, white has become almost inextricably linked with the concept of purity and goodness. General Resources. 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.”. Nevertheless, he prepared talks which were delivered in his behalf by someone else, generally one of his sons. 1961 Conditions Governing Access. Prophet David O. McKay (1873 - 1970): “Well, the era through which we are passing is no exception. An honest government is as crucial to national stability as it is to personal character. 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. Communism and socialism, closely related, must be defeated on principle.”. 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. ... funny how you heard the same talk as i did and painted it your prefered color. It was delivered by his son, Robert R. McKay. 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., 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. 4 Oct 1968 A Citizen Who Loves Justice and Hates Evil Is Better and Stronger Than a Battleship General Conference. David O. McKay's Father's Testimony of … 4:10.). In a changing world, we must be anchored in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Under the title of PARENTHOOD, the following was said: “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. 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.”. Even the best of them must be considered our worst enemies. My 21-year-old son, Ethan, was home from college for a couple weeks this summer. He spoke of the strength he received from the example of Latter-day Saints worldwide. President David O. McKay lived to be 96, the second oldest living prophet in modern times (President Hinckley died at 97 years old). Communism destroys man’s God-given free agency. A scan of the original document printed by Deseret Book: LatterdayConservative.com (2004-2021). Communism is fundamentally socialism. 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. : exmormon 185k members in the exmormon community. David O. McKay was the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this general conference address from 4 April 1958 was broadcast from a tape recording to the BYU campus assembly on 12 October 1965. But his prophetic message that day was timely and timeless. Restricted. The Church’s ninth President also stood on the prophet’s “watchtower,” offering guidance at a moment defined by war and social turbulence. Show Timeline. Called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1906 at the age of 32, he radiated influence that would survive his apostolic tenure. Back to Mormon Quotes Index. “I think it is a joy to live in this age. Submitted by provojoe on Thu, 10/28/2004 - 4:26pm. His voice was weak. 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. “I love life,” he said. A statement by President David O. McKay concerning the position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Communism. General Conference Talks "Prophets Are Inspired" - David B. Haight. 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.) (Heber J. 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. David O. McKay General Conference opening address, 1961 Dates. 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. David O. McKay's First General Conference Talk as LDS Church President . McKay at New Zealand Temple,” Church News, 10 May 1958, 2, 6. 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. Submitted by An anonymous coward on Thu, 10/28/2004 - 5:12pm. The Lord has declared this “a day of warning, and not a day of many words” (). ... General Conference. Yet on this opening day of general conference in 1966, President McKay was a man deep into the winter of his life. President McKay had also asked Skousen to write the book. 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. President David O. 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