Stand firm for truth amid changing times
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Elder M. Russell Ballard congratulated and encouraged graduates during BYU's summer commencement services Aug. 13 in the Marriott Center on the BYU campus. A total of 2,423 degrees were given to graduates from all 50 states of the United States and from 57 other nations.
"While it is not possible for me to shake hands with each of you and look you in the eye personally, I want you to know that you are precious in the sight of your Heavenly Father," said Elder Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve. "He loves you. Church leaders love you."
During his commencement address, Elder Ballard spoke to the graduates about the important role they play in the future of the Church.
"I look at you and I see the future of the Church," he said. "Not just the future bishops, stake presidents, mission presidents and auxiliary leaders, but the great ranks of future mothers and fathers, Primary and Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, home teachers and visiting teachers, Scout leaders, choir directors and countless others who will serve the Church in the 21st century."
Recognizing the changes in society, specifically technology and how people communicate, and the impact these changes will have in the future, Elder Ballard spoke of the need for graduates to choose to influence others for good.
"It will be a different century than the one that has just passed. In some ways it will be better; in other ways, it will be much more difficult for you and for your children. But one thing is inescapable: It will be your century — one in which you have an opportunity to leave your mark for good or otherwise. You will try to influence others, and others will try to influence you. Either you will share and promote your core values, rooted in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, or you will allow others to define your values for you and your posterity."
With all of the current and future changes, there is a need for graduates to stand firm for truth amid the changing times, Elder Ballard said. He observed that an important part of understanding how to stand firm is understanding how people view the Church, and how best to explain doctrines to others in a positive way. He cited recent research about how other people perceive members of the Church.
"It suggested that members of our Church can sometimes appear very defensive to those who are not members of the Church. One respondent went as far as to say that when Mormons are explaining their beliefs, their language is in terms that suggest they are expecting criticism.
"This was not the first time I have heard that kind of observation. But the more I have thought about it, the more I understand how easy it is, if we are not careful, to convey a sense of defensiveness in our communications with others."
With the constant expansion of the Church, members are filling communities and overall growth is occurring making the Church the fourth largest church in the United States, Elder Ballard said. As Latter-day Saints continue to live coast to coast, it is more common for people throughout the country to know a Church member personally, and the need to respond to questions about the Church in an appropriate manner is very important.
"If you are in a position to share what you believe, there's no need to tread so carefully that you look like you are being evasive or anticipating criticism," he said. "I look forward and greatly appreciate every opportunity I have to share my testimony of the marvelous message of the Restoration. And I cannot ever remember offending anyone in the process."
Because of the current and future prominence of the Church, more and more Church members will be greeted with gospel discussions, he noted. These discussions need to be honest, open, forthright, engaging, respectful of others' views and completely non-defensive about ones own, Elder Ballard said. He gave two suggestions of how to engage in conversations non-defensively.
First, don't let irrelevant issues drown out the more important doctrines. Referencing critics' often-recognized subject of polygamy, he encouraged listeners to respond appropriately by acknowledging that it happened, and then move on. Although media can improperly represent the Church's beliefs, it doesn't change the way Latter-day Saints should react, he said.
Citing the Church's newsroom Web site, Elder Ballard taught how to respond to negative media in a positive way. Quoting from the Newsroom article he said, "Latter-day Saints should conduct themselves with dignity and thoughtfulness. Not only is this the model that Jesus Christ taught and demonstrated in His own life, but it also reflects the reality of the strength and maturity of Church members today."
Rather than focusing on the critics' points of focus, Elder Ballard continued, Church members need to focus on preaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
Second, Church members should emphasize that Latter-day Saints teach and live what Jesus Christ taught — that they try to follow Him in all they do.
"When all is said and done, the most important thing about you and your testimony is that you base your beliefs on what Jesus Christ taught and you try to follow Him by living your life in a way acceptable to our Heavenly Father and to the Lord," he said. "This is your foundation."
The foundation in speaking with others, Elder Ballard said, is the doctrine of Christ's atonement, that He died, was buried and rose again the third day; all other things are only appendages to that doctrine.
"Whenever you are having a conversation about the Church, you should try to make this a point," Elder Ballard said. "We follow Jesus Christ. We try to live as He taught. That's the basis of our faith and our lives. This is the strongest non-defensive position you can take."
With people throughout the world drifting further and further away from the teachings of the Lord, referencing the secular society the Apostle Paul spoke of in 2nd Timothy, Elder Ballard spoke of the need to follow and share the knowledge of the gospel. "We know the plan of happiness, the great plan of redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ. ... You must strive now and always to live by them," Elder Ballard declared. "Upon your generation will rest the responsibility to teach the doctrines of the Lord and to know how to build up His Church.
"Please remember you do not need to feel like you must justify your beliefs; you simply need to explain them in the spirit of love and kindness. The truth always prevails when true doctrine is taught."
Elder Ballard spoke of true doctrine, and the blessings that come from living it. He shared examples of humanitarian service throughout the world and keeping the Word of Wisdom in order to enjoy a healthy physical body. He also spoke of the law of marriage between a man and a woman. Of God's law of chastity, Elder Ballard said this law has never been revoked or changed; it is clear and simple. No one is to engage in sexual relationships outside the bounds the Lord has set. This applies to homosexual behavior of any kind and to heterosexual relationships outside marriage. It is a sin to violate this law.
Elder Ballard promised that peace, joy and happiness come by following the commandments and living what Jesus Christ taught. "Brothers and sisters, you wonderful graduates, it's just this simple," he said. "May God bless you . . . in every way when you have the opportunity to explain to people that are not members of the Church, and that you may stand positive in your own feelings, never feeling that you need to be on the defensive being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
