What is the Lord's Standard of Morality?

 “What, then, is the Lord’s standard of morality? In truth, the Lord’s standard of morality is not so much a list of do’s and don’ts as it is a principle, which can be expressed as follows: The procreative power is to be exercised in the marriage relationship for two key reasons: (1) to bind and strengthen ties between spouses and (2) to bring souls into the world. These uses have the blessing and endorsement of the Lord.

“On the other hand, the procreative power is not to be exercised outside the husband-wife relationship. Accordingly, any conscious thoughts or voluntary actions that simulate or result in the expression of the procreative power outside the marriage relationship are disapproved by the Lord.”

Elder Tad R. Callister, “The Lord’s Standard of Morality,” Ensign, Mar 2014, 46. 

The Lord’s Standard of Morality

“Some years ago my father, an attorney, was trying a lawsuit. For his authority, he cited only one case—a California Supreme Court case issued many years before. His opponent cited a number of lower-court decisions of more recent vintage. The judge said to my father, “Mr. Callister, don’t you have a more recent case than this?” My father looked at the judge and replied, “Your Honor, may I remind you that when the Supreme Court speaks on a matter, it only needs to speak once.” The judge nodded with approval. He was reminded that the Supreme Court trumps all lower-court decisions, however numerous or recent they may be.

“So it is with God our Father—He needs to speak only once on the issue or morality, and that one declaration trumps  all the opinions of the lower courts, whether uttered by psychologists, counselors, politicians, friends, parents, or would-be moralists of the day.”

Elder Tad R. Callister, “The Lord’s Standard of Morality,” Ensign, Mar 2014, 45. 

Character = Yardstick

“Character is the manifestation of what you are becoming. Your character will be the yardstick that God will use to determine how well you have used your mortal life. Strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life.”

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Living a Life of Peace, Joy, and Purpose,” From a commencement address given at Brigham Young University on April 21, 2011. Speeches.byu.edu

Abortion and Moral Relativism

[Anti-Christ Korihor’s] assertions, many of which may be familiar to a modern audience, contain the following:

a.       There is no God (see Alma 30:28, 37-38).

b.      Belief in Christ is “a foolish and a vain hope” (Alma 30:13).

c.       Those who believe in a remission of sins are under the effects of a frenzied or deranged mind (see Alma 30:16).

d.      Their derangement is caused by following the traditions of their fathers and the whims of corrupt leaders (see Alma 30:14, 23-28, 31).

e.      Man is a creature (see Alma 30:17).

f.        One “[fares] in this life according to the management of the creature; . . . and whatsoever a man [does is] no crime” (Alma 30:17).

g.       There is no sin and no need for a Savior (see Alma 30:17-18).

h.      Those who encourage people to keep God’s commandments are stripping away an individual’s “rights and privileges” (Alma 30:27).

This last point is particularly dangerous, for it elevates one’s rights while avoiding any discussion of one’s responsibilities. In purporting to be in favor of individual liberty, moral relativism actually threatens one’s privilege to exercise agency by ignoring the negative consequences of not being cognizant of one’s responsibilities to others.”

Daniel L. Belnap, “The Book of Mormon & Modern Moral Relativism,” Ensign, Feb 2014, 22.

Standing for Truth

“We need individuals who have the spiritual righteous influence that will motivate others to enduring good. We need politicians of integrity, business-people who are honest and morally clean, attorneys who defend justice and the legal system, and government officials who preserve principle because it is right. Above all, we need mothers and fathers who will preserve the sanctity and safety of the home and the integrity of the family, where faith in God and obedience to His commandments are taught as the foundation of a productive life.”

“Elder Richard G. Scott, “Living Right,” Ensign, Jan 2007, 14.