Receiving counsel from the proper source

I don't get to attend Relief Society very often because I'm the Primary Sub and get used just about every week, either teaching or playing the piano (imagine needing me to play the piano, that lets you know how hard up they are!) I have set a goal to try and keep up with the Joseph Smith lessons this year and decided to post some of his comments on my blog because I really like them. This one actually made me laugh and I had to read it to Jonathan. He said, "Things haven't changed much over the years."

Here is the quote:
"Now for persons to do things, merely because they are advised to do them, and yet murmur all the time they are doing them, is of no use at all: they might as well not do them. There are those who profess to be Saints who are too apt to murmur, and find fault, when any advice is given, which comes in opposition to their feelings, even when they themselves, ask for counsel; much more so when counsel is given unasked for, which does not agree with their notion of things; but brethren, we hope for better things from the most of you; we trust that you desire counsel, from time to time, and that you will cheerfully conform to it, whenever you receive it from a proper source."

This quote makes me think of another quote from the Institute book, Living Prophets for a Living Church, pg 71. This is from a college religion class so the book is rather old but the lesson is still a good one.
"In the political field where so much pressure is exerted on men to compromise ideals and principles for expediency, party workers early learned to admire Marion G. Romney's intense loyalty to his own conscience as well as to the advice of his Church leaders whose pronouncements on vital issues affecting the welfare of the nation he accepted as divinely inspired even though it frequently brought him into sharp conflict with leaders of his own political party. On one such occasion when Church leaders in a tersely worded editorial had denounced the trends of the political administration then in power, he confided in me some things which it might be well if all loyal Church members in public life could emulate: 'When I read that editorial,' he told me, 'I knew what I should do - but that wasn't enough. I knew that I must feel right about following the counsel of the Church leaders and know that they were right. That took a whole night on my knees to accomplish.' I submit in that statement the difference between 'intelligent' and 'blind' obedience. Marion G. Romney while never disloyal to authority over him, could never be rightfully accused of being 'blindly obedient'." (Harold B. Lee, IE, Oct. 1962, p. 742. Italics added.)

Through a family discussion I have become aware of an issue in California that is causing some stir among Church members there. One of my brothers has been asked to be the regional coordinator for the Protect Marriage Initiative on this fall’s ballot in CA. Here is a web link to what the Church as to say about it:
http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-divine-institution-of-marriage

It is interesting to see how people react to this. I know that we are to treat all people with love and respect but it is interesting how some have a hard time separating their abhorrence of a sin from the sinner themselves. I know I sometimes have trouble with it. It would be good to take President Romney's advice and spend some time on our knees to get this one right.