Addresses Quote by Dallin H. Oaks
“As Elder George F. Richards, President of the Council of the Twelve, said in a conference address in April 1947, 'when we say anything bad about the leaders of the Church, whether true or false, we tend to impair their influence and their usefulness and are thus working against the Lord and his cause.' ... The Holy Ghost will not guide or confirm criticism of the Lord's anointed, or of Church leaders, local or general. This reality should be part of the spiritual evaluation that LDS readers and viewers apply to those things written about our history and those who made it.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: LDS Conference Address, April 1947
Criticizing religious leaders can diminish their effectiveness and undermine divine purpose, according to LDS belief.
In simple terms: Bad talk harms leaders' influence.
Key Takeaway
Speak constructively, avoid unfounded criticism of spiritual authorities.
Themes
faith
leadership
communication
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
ethical
religious
When to use this quote
- church meetings
- online forums
- media reporting
- personal counseling
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
theology
authority
social influence
Questions to Reflect On
- When should truth override respect?
- How to address legitimate concerns without harming influence?
A Different Perspective
Balancing truth‑seeking with respect can be challenging in complex historical contexts.
![“Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has t anointed me to bring good news to the poor; [1] he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and u the opening of the prison to those who are bound;” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0ba/anonymous-1_freedom_spirit-of-the-lord-god-is-upon-me-becaus_1257027.jpg)
![“[T]he appropriate form of address between man and man ought to be, not monsieur, sir, but fellow sufferer, compagnon de miseres.” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be6/arthur-schopenhauer-226_addresses_t-he-appropriate-form-of-address-between_32897.jpg)
