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TheDiscipleMD

In a commentary published several years ago and written by syndicated columnist Cal Thomas, he asks this question:

“Where are the orators who will lead us away from our fixation on pleasure and prosperity and back to an ethic well understood by previous generations; an ethic of responsibility and accountability? (Double Jeopardy-Cal Thomas, Washington Times).

The answer:

“It is a tremendously humbling experience to realize that the Melchizedek Priesthood which we hold is after the order of the Son of God, and that we have responsibility and accountability to Him and our Eternal Father for all that we do in exercising the stewardship given us.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley- “God is At the Helm”, 1994)

“The proclamation to the world regarding the family warns that individuals “who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God.” Today I solemnly reaffirm that reality.” (Russell M. Nelson- “Set In Order Thy House”, 2002).

“Our Heavenly Father is looking at us. He loves us and he wants us to choose the path that leads us to happiness here and eternal life hereafter. In his plan he authorizes us to act for him, to be instruments of his concern for his children. But he won’t force any of us to make choices that lead to happiness. He has given each of us the right and responsibility to make personal choices, individual decisions, and has made us accountable for them. He not only affects our lives, he is affected by our lives, and sometimes he weeps for us.” (Marion D. Hanks of the 70’s, “Changing Channels, 1990).

“Relief Society prepares women for the blessings of eternal life by awakening us spiritually to increase in faith and personal righteousness. Let us begin with ourselves. Let us begin where we are. Let us begin today. When we are spiritually awake, we will be better able to strengthen families and homes and help others.This is a work of salvation, and the strengthening and enabling power of the Atonement makes it possible. Awaken to who we are. Awaken to our duty. We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us. Of this I testify…” (Carole M. Stephens, 1st C. General Relief Society, “Wide Awake to Our Duties”, 2012)

“Agency is to act with accountability and responsibility for our actions. Our agency is essential to the plan of salvation. With it we are “free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil.” (Robert D. Hales, GC, Oct. 2010)

Finally a quote from Thomas S. Monson given in the October 2010 General Conference. He said:

“When faced with significant choices, how do we decide? Do we succumb to the promise of momentary pleasure? To our urges and passions? To the pressure of our peers? Let us not find ourselves as indecisive as is Alice in Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. You will remember that she comes to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions. She is confronted by the Cheshire cat, of whom Alice asks, “Which path shall I follow?” The cat answers, “That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t matter which path you take.”  Unlike Alice, we all know where we want to go, and it does matter which way we go, for  by choosing our path, we choose our destination. Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed—the courage to say no, the courage to say yes. Decisions do determine destiny.” (“The Three R’s of Choice”)

I could go on and on and on with quotes from our priesthood leaders and women’s leaders that only volumes could hold. All  are quality orators who would fulfill the desires of Mr. Cal Thomas in teaching responsibility and accountability! But the real question is, not do we have orators with such courage, because we do! But is anyone listening!