Certainly I don’t deserve such praise. But thank you, Michael. Your comments are always appreciated, and I’ve always found them to be insightful and resonating (except for when you embellish and talk about me like you have here! :)).

Thank you.

We should be encouraging his efforts, and doing all we can to aid him in his desire to know the truth of all things, and take his findings to the rest of the world. I think it is simply wrong to spend so much time trying to tear down that which shows potential of doing good merely to express our differing views. The debate took place in that life from whence we came, and it is now time for those of us who were called out of the world to leave debating to the worldly while we members of the Church go about our Father’s business of taking the Gospel message of Jesus Christ to our brethren.

I, for one, would like to thank Connor for the extensive efforts he puts forth to provide us with information, and viewpoints which are intended to enlighten, and edify. It is certainly a blessing for me when I see that a 20 something American is actively engaged in pointing out the goodness of America, and the importance of living according to the commandments, and the guiding influence of the Prophet. He will be receiving great blessings from our Lord and Savior, and I pray that we may be fortunate enough to share some of the same.

He conversed freely on the situation of the Saints in the mountains, and said that he dreaded the time when the Saints would become popular with the world; for he had seen in sorrow, in a dream, or in dreams, this people clothed in the fashions of Babylon and drinking in the spirit of Babylon until one could hardly tell a Saint from a black-leg. And he felt like shouting, “To your tents, Oh Israel!” because it was the only thing that could keep the people pure…. Many of this people for the sake of riches and popularity, will sell themselves for that which will canker their souls and lead them down to misery and despair. It would be better for them to dwell in wigwams among the Indians than to dwell with the gentiles and miss the glories which God wishes them to obtain. I wish my families would see the point and come forth before it is too late. For oh, I can see a tendency in my families to hug the moth-eaten customs of Babylon to their bosoms. This is far more hurtful to them than the deadly viper; for the poisons of the viper can be healed by the power of God, but the customs of Babylon will be hard to get rid of.” (Autobiography of Mosiah Hancock, 1834-1907)

Exactly, we should be who we are: Children of God, born into the lineage of Ephraim and Manasseh, charged with providing moral leadership and example in this dispensation, trusted with the Lord’s priesthood, and commanded to boldly oppose evil.

Anybody who takes a moral stand (especially one in complete alliance with the restored gospel) is bound to attract enemies and create opposition.

The Lord himself said:

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. (Matthew 10:34-35)

…we should not go out of our way to make ourselves unpopular with the world.

Perhaps not, but we should go out of our way to spread the gospel and be a moral example in the world, which by corollary will certainly make us “unpopular with the world”. It’s one or the other; we can’t have it both ways.

Very interesting doctrine from President Benson. And, so true. Thanks for sharing.