Professional Thoughts

January 26, 2012

Elder Keith K. Hilbig, "Balancing Family, Church, and Profession". JRCLS Annual Fireside, January 19, 2007: "How we do it all, I think, brings us back to what we started with. We're talking about balance and the three particular elements we discussed tonight: family, church, and work. Most of the world doesn't worry about that middle component, namely church. But for us it's a critical part, and I submit that it is the part that makes happiness in the other two things possible. Imagine not knowing the fullness of the restored gospel. Most people live their lives in a box: they're born and they die, and it's only what happens in between that they are aware of. We have the blessing of an eternal perspective, a prism that can look back and look ahead, and with that level of understanding we treat what happens in the box a lot differently. "So, how can we achieve balance? Because we understand the principles of the gospel and know the purpose of being here, we can apportion our time more wisely. It's a blessing to have the responsibility of knowing about the Restoration, of understanding these priciples, and as we apply them, I believe, we are empowered to carry out the balance of family, church, and work as effectively as the Lord could expect from us. We know why the family is important and that dictates our decisions. We know why Church service is critical, and that influences our decisions. We know how important it is to provide for our family and to be honest with those who have hired us. It's the best way to live, and it's certainly not a burden. It is a blessing."

November 09, 2011

Dallin H. Oaks, Truth and Tolerance, CES Fireside, September 11, 2011: "The kingdom of God is like a leaven, Jesus taught (Matt. 13:33). A leaven—yeast—is hidden away in the larger mass until the whole is leavened, which means raised by its influence. . . . Since followers of Jesus Christ are commanded to be a leaven—not to be taken out of the world, but to remain in it—we must seek tolerance from those who hate us for not being of the world. As part of this, we will sometimes need to challenge laws that would impair our freedom to practice our faiths, doing so in reliance on our constitutional rights to the free exercise of religion. As described by an attorney supporting a Lutheran school in a case now before the United States Supreme Court, the big concern is “the ability of people of all faiths to work out their relationship with God and one another without the government looking over their shoulder.” That is why we need understanding and support—including your understanding and support—when we must contend for religious freedom."

October 24, 2011

James E. Faust, “The Study and Practice of the Laws of Men in Light of the Laws of God”. Life in the Law: Answering God's Interrogatories, Pg. 36: "I alert you that if you practice law you must be prepared to answer people who ask how you can be a good member of the Church and a laywer. This question stems not only from misunderstanding but also from the fact that the law and lawyers are generally controversial, and many of our court and administrative proceedings are adversarial in nature. The Prince of Peace did not advocate controversy, but he was involved in it. The adversary system, imperfect as it is, has evolved as the best means of extracting the truth out of controversy. Is not truth to be sought above other virtues? . . . In my opinion there need be no conflict between what the Savior has taught through the Church and what you do as a professional lawyer. Indeed, if you are careful about observing the high moral standards that the Church represents, you will stand out in your profession."