Balancing Truth and Tolerance

In my Book of Mormon class this week, we have been discussing how to balance eternal truths with tolerance for others and their differences of opinions and beliefs. Elder Dallin H Oaks wrote an article on these subjects in the February 2013 Ensign.

Three quotes from the article really stand out for me. The first one is given by President Gordon B Hinckley: 

“Each of us [from various religious denominations] believes in the fatherhood of God, although we may differ in our interpretations of Him. Each of us is part of a great family, the human family, sons and daughters of God, and therefore brothers and sisters. We must work harder to build mutual respect, an attitude of forbearance, with tolerance one for another regardless of the doctrines and philosophies which we may espouse.”

The second one is by Elder Oaks:

"Our tolerance and respect for others and their beliefs does not cause us to abandon our commitment to the truths we understand and the covenants we have made. We are cast as combatants in the war between truth and error. There is no middle ground. We must stand up for truth, even while we practice tolerance and respect for beliefs and ideas different from our own and for the people who hold them.

And the last one is by President Thomas S Monson:

“The face of sin today often wears the mask of tolerance. Do not be deceived; behind that facade is heartache, unhappiness, and pain. …"

 This talk has really helped me to understand the balance between tolerance and respect for others beliefs, but also making sure that I remain committed to the truths we know, and covenants we make, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints