00:00:02
>> WHAT A THRILLING LIFE
AWAITS YOU.
00:00:05
>> THE ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE
IS A SACRED ACTIVITY.
00:00:09
>> THE TRULY EDUCATED MAN
NEVER CEASES TO LEARN.
00:00:13
>> THE FUTURE IN IN OUR HANDS,
THE OUTCOME IS UP TO YOU.
00:00:17
♪♪
>>THIS BYU DEVOTIONAL
00:00:22
ADDRESS WITH JAMES RASBAND
WAS GIVEN ON OCTOBER 23, 2012.
00:00:35
>> GOOD MORNING BROTHERS AND
SISTERS AND WELCOME TO OUR
00:00:36
BYU DEVOTIONAL TODAY.
00:00:38
WE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
OF HEARING FROM BROTHER
00:00:40
JAMES R. RASBAND,
DEAN OF THE J. REUBEN CLARK
00:00:43
LAW SCHOOL.
00:00:44
WE ESPECIALLY WELCOME HIS
WIFE MARY WHO IS SEATED ON
00:00:46
THE STAND AS WELL AS THEIR
FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
00:00:49
WHO HAVE JOINED US TODAY.
00:00:51
AS WELL AS OTHER
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
00:00:54
JAMES R. RASBAND IS THE DEAN
AND HUGH W. COLTON
00:00:57
PROFESSOR OF LAW AT
THE J. REUBEN CLARK LAW SCHOOL.
00:00:59
HE RECEIVED HIS
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE FROM
00:01:02
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY AND
HIS LAW DEGREE FROM HARVARD
00:01:04
LAW SCHOOL.
00:01:05
FOLLOWING LAW SCHOOL,
HE CLERKED FOR JUDGE
00:01:09
J. CLIFFORD WALLACE OF THE
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR
00:01:11
THE NINTH CIRCUIT AND THEN
PRACTICED LAW IN SEATTLE,
00:01:13
WASHINGTON,
WHERE HIS PRACTICE FOCUSED
00:01:15
ON INDIAN TREATY LITIGATION.
00:01:17
HE JOINED THE LAW SCHOOL
FACULTY IN 1995 AND HAS BEEN
00:01:21
SERVING AS DEAN OF THE LAW
SCHOOL SINCE 2009.
00:01:25
DEAN RASBAND'S RESEARCH AND
TEACHING HAS CENTERED ON
00:01:28
PUBLIC LAND LAW AND ON
NATURAL RESOURCES LAW
00:01:32
AND POLICY.
00:01:33
HE HAS PUBLISHED MANY
ARTICLES AND BOOK CHAPTERS
00:01:36
ON THESE SUBJECTS.
00:01:37
HE AND HIS WIFE,
MARY WILLIAMS RASBAND,
00:01:39
WHO TEACHES PART-TIME IN
BYU'S CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
00:01:42
DEPARTMENT,
ARE THE PARENTS OF
00:01:44
FOUR CHILDREN.
00:01:53
AND NOW WE'LL HAVE THE
PRIVILEGE OF HEARING FROM
00:01:54
BROTHER JIM RASBAND.
00:02:04
>>I MUST SAY, I NEVER IMAGINED
MYSELF AT THIS PODIUM.
00:02:08
BUT I HAVE IMAGINED MYSELF
ON THIS PLAYING FLOOR.
00:02:11
AND "IMAGINED" IS THE
RIGHT WORD.
00:02:13
I'VE WONDERED WHAT IT WOULD
HAVE BEEN LIKE TO BE
00:02:14
DANNY AINGE, WHO,
DURING MY FRESHMAN YEAR
00:02:17
AT BYU,
WENT COAST-TO-COAST IN THE
00:02:19
CLOSING SECONDS OF A SWEET
SIXTEEN GAME AGAINST NOTRE
00:02:22
DAME AND SCORED OVER
ORLANDO WOOLRIDGE.
00:02:25
I'VE DREAMED WHAT IT WOULD
BE LIKE TO DRAIN A THREE
00:02:27
FROM JUST INSIDE HALF-COURT,
LIKE JIMMER FREDETTE DID
00:02:29
AGAINST UTAH.
00:02:30
UNFORTUNATELY,
MY ACTUAL SKILL SET WASN'T
00:02:33
A MATCH FOR SUCH
IMAGINED HEROICS.
00:02:36
I'M QUITE SURE IT'S NOT A
MATCH FOR THIS PODIUM EITHER.
00:02:40
STILL I CONSIDER IT A GREAT
HONOR TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY
00:02:42
TO SPEAK TO YOU THIS MORNING.
00:02:43
I LOVE THIS UNIVERSITY.
00:02:46
I LOVE THE COOL CRISP AIR OF
A LATE FALL FOOTBALL GAME
00:02:50
AND THE SOFT,
GOLDEN LIGHT THAT FALLS ON
00:02:52
Y-MOUNTAIN AND ROCK CANYON
JUST BEFORE SUNSET.
00:02:57
I LOVE WANDERING THE STACKS
IN THE HAROLD B. LEE LIBRARY.
00:03:00
I COULD GO ON,
BUT LET ME JUST SAY THAT
00:03:03
BYU HAS HAD A GREAT IMPACT
ON MY LIFE.
00:03:07
MY FIRST EXPERIENCES AT BYU
WERE IN THE LATE 1960'S.
00:03:10
EACH SUMMER MY MOTHER,
MY BROTHER AND I CAME TO BYU
00:03:13
FROM OUR HOME IN
PEBBLE BEACH,
00:03:15
CALIFORNIA FOR SPRING OR
SUMMER TERM SO THAT MY MOM
00:03:18
COULD WORK ON COMPLETING
HER DEGREE.
00:03:20
WE LIVED IN HERITAGE HALLS.
00:03:22
OR, TO BE MORE PRECISE,
WE LIVED IN WHAT IS NOW
00:03:24
CALLED "CLASSIC HERITAGE"
WHEN IT WAS ALMOST
00:03:27
NEW HERITAGE.
00:03:30
MY MOTHER ENDED UP
COMPLETING HER ENGLISH
00:03:32
DEGREE AND OUR HOME WAS
FOREVER ENRICHED BY WHAT
00:03:34
SHE LEARNED AT BYU.
00:03:36
I MENTION MY MOM'S EDUCATION
AT BYU PARTLY BECAUSE
00:03:38
IMPORTANT PARTS OF MY
THINKING ON TODAY'S TOPIC
00:03:41
ARE DERIVED FROM MY MOTHER'S
THINKING AND WRITING ON
00:03:43
THIS TOPIC.
00:03:44
THE TITLE OF MY REMARKS IS
"FAITH TO FORGIVE GRIEVOUS
00:03:48
HARMS: ACCEPTING THE
ATONEMENT AS RESTITUTION."
00:03:52
NOW, TO SOME,
ANY TALK FROM A LAWYER THAT
00:03:55
FOCUSES ON FORGIVENESS
MAY SEEM ODD.
00:03:59
DON'T LAWYERS DEPEND UPON
A LACK OF FORGIVENESS
00:04:01
TO FUNCTION?
00:04:02
IN LAWYER-SPEAK,
IS A TALK ON THE NECESSITY
00:04:05
OF "FORGIVENESS" AN
ADMISSION AGAINST INTEREST?
00:04:08
I AM CONVINCED THAT
PRACTICING LAW WITH CIVILITY
00:04:11
AND INTEGRITY IS A NOBLE
ENDEAVOR AND FULLY COMPATIBLE
00:04:14
WITH A FORGIVING HEART.
00:04:16
AND I'LL HAVE A BIT MORE TO
SAY ABOUT THIS LATER.
00:04:20
INDEED, BEFORE YOU BECOME
TOO CRITICAL OF LAWYERS,
00:04:23
LISTEN TO THE WORDS OF MY
GOOD FRIEND, JIM GORDON:
00:04:26
"IT IS TRUE THAT SOME LAWYERS
"ARE DISHONEST, ARROGANT,
00:04:31
"GREEDY, VENAL, AMORAL,
"RUTHLESS BUCKETS OF
00:04:33
"TOXIC SLIME.
00:04:35
"ON THE OTHER HAND,
"IT IS UNFAIR TO JUDGE THE
00:04:38
"ENTIRE PROFESSION BY A FEW
"HUNDRED THOUSAND
00:04:40
"BAD APPLES."
00:04:44
SUCH QUIPS CAN BE A
BIT TOUGH FOR THOSE OF US
00:04:47
WHO ARE ATTORNEYS,
BUT HOW MUCH WORSE CAN IT
00:04:49
GET GIVEN THE NUMBER OF US
WHOSE PARENTS,
00:04:52
WHEN WE DECIDED TO GO TO
LAW SCHOOL,
00:04:54
MADE SURE TO SCRAPE OFF
THEIR CAR THE "ASK ME ABOUT
00:04:57
MY CHILDREN" BUMPER STICKER?
00:04:58
OKAY, ON TO THE CONCEPT
OF FORGIVENESS.
00:05:04
LET ME START WITH A FAMILIAR
SCRIPTURE.
00:05:05
MATTHEW 18: 21-22 READS:
"THEN CAME PETER TO HIM,
00:05:09
"AND SAID, LORD,
"HOW OFT SHALL MY BROTHER
00:05:12
"SIN AGAINST ME,
"AND I FORGIVE HIM?
00:05:15
"TILL SEVEN TIMES?
00:05:17
"JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM,
"I SAY NOT UNTO THEE,
00:05:20
"UNTIL SEVEN TIMES: BUT,
"UNTIL SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN."
00:05:25
HAVE YOU, OR A FAMILY MEMBER,
OR A FRIEND,
00:05:28
EVER BEEN TERRIBLY HURT BY
SOMEONE AND FOUND IT
00:05:30
DIFFICULT TO FORGIVE,
EVEN ONCE,
00:05:33
LET ALONE "UNTIL SEVENTY
TIMES SEVEN"?
00:05:36
IN SUCH CASES,
DO WE SAY TO OURSELVES: THE
00:05:38
LORD CAN'T REALLY MEAN THAT
I SHOULD FORGIVE THAT SORT
00:05:41
OF SIN OR ABUSE.
00:05:43
YET IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT THE
LORD REALLY DOES MEAN IT.
00:05:46
OUR VERY SALVATION DEPENDS
UPON US BEING WILLING TO
00:05:49
FORGIVE OTHERS.
00:05:53
AS CHRIST TAUGHT:
"FOR IF YE FORGIVE MEN
00:05:55
"THEIR TRESPASSES,
"YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL
00:05:57
"ALSO FORGIVE YOU:
"BUT IF YE FORGIVE NOT MEN
00:06:00
"THEIR TRESPASSES,
"NEITHER WILL YOUR FATHER
00:06:03
"FORGIVE YOUR TRESPASSES."
00:06:07
THAT OUR OWN FORGIVENESS
SHOULD BE CONDITIONED ON
00:06:09
FORGIVING OTHERS CAN BE A
HARD DOCTRINE,
00:06:12
PARTICULARLY IF THE SIN
AGAINST US WAS HORRIBLY
00:06:15
WRONG AND OUT OF ALL
PROPORTION TO ANY HARM
00:06:17
WE'VE EVER COMMITTED.
00:06:20
EVEN HARDER,
THE LORD HAS INDICATED IN
00:06:21
MODERN REVELATION:
"HE THAT FORGIVETH NOT
00:06:25
"HIS BROTHER HIS TRESPASSES
"STANDETH CONDEMNED
00:06:29
"BEFORE THE LORD;
"FOR THERE REMAINETH IN HIM
00:06:31
"THE GREATER SIN."
00:06:33
THIS IS A VERY STRONG
STATEMENT.
00:06:36
IF WE REFUSE TO FORGIVE,
THERE REMAINETH IN US THE
00:06:39
GREATER SIN.
00:06:42
HOW CAN THIS BE?
00:06:43
AS I HOPE TO EXPLAIN,
OUR SALVATION IS CONDITIONED
00:06:46
ON FORGIVING OTHERS BECAUSE,
WHEN WE REFUSE TO FORGIVE,
00:06:50
WHAT WE ARE REALLY SAYING IS
THAT WE REJECT,
00:06:54
OR DON'T QUITE TRUST,
THE ATONEMENT.
00:06:58
AND IT IS OUR ACCEPTANCE OF
THE ATONEMENT THAT
00:06:59
ULTIMATELY SAVES US.
00:07:01
WHY IS IT THAT WE SOMETIMES
HAVE TROUBLE ACCEPTING THE
00:07:04
ATONEMENT AS RECOMPENSE FOR
THE HARMS WE SUFFER AT
00:07:07
OTHER'S HANDS?
00:07:10
MY EXPERIENCE IS THAT WE CAN
SOMETIMES FORGET THAT THE
00:07:12
ATONEMENT HAS TWO SIDES.
00:07:14
USUALLY, WHEN WE THINK
ABOUT THE ATONEMENT,
00:07:16
WE FOCUS ON HOW MERCY CAN
SATISFY THE DEMANDS THAT
00:07:19
JUSTICE WOULD IMPOSE
UPON US.
00:07:22
WE ARE TYPICALLY QUICKER TO
ACCEPT THE IDEA THAT,
00:07:24
WHEN WE SIN AND MAKE
MISTAKES,
00:07:27
THE ATONEMENT IS AVAILABLE
TO PAY OUR DEBTS.
00:07:30
FORGIVENESS REQUIRES US TO
CONSIDER THE OTHER SIDE OF
00:07:32
THE ATONEMENT,
A SIDE THAT WE DON'T THINK
00:07:35
ABOUT AS OFTEN,
BUT THAT IS EQUALLY CRITICAL-
00:07:39
THAT IS, THE ATONEMENT'S
POWER TO SATISFY OUR DEMANDS
00:07:42
OF JUSTICE AGAINST OTHERS,
TO FULFILL OUR RIGHTS TO
00:07:45
RESTITUTION AND BEING
MADE WHOLE.
00:07:48
WE OFTEN DON'T QUITE SEE HOW
THE ATONEMENT SATISFIES OUR
00:07:51
OWN DEMANDS FOR JUSTICE.
00:07:55
YET IT DOES SO.
00:07:56
IT HEALS US NOT ONLY FOR THE
GUILT WE SUFFER WHEN WE SIN,
00:07:58
BUT IT ALSO HEALS US FROM
THE SINS AND HURTS OF OTHERS.
00:08:03
TO HELP EXPLAIN THE TWO
SIDES OF THE ATONEMENT,
00:08:05
LET ME TRY A RATHER
HOMELY ANALOGY.
00:08:08
LIKE MOST ANALOGIES AND
METAPHORS,
00:08:10
IT IS NOT PERFECT IN ALL
RESPECTS.
00:08:12
I HOPE, THOUGH,
THAT IT CAN AID UNDERSTANDING.
00:08:15
SUPPOSE I FIND MYSELF IN A
HOME BUILT FOR ME BY A VERY
00:08:19
GENEROUS LANDLORD.
00:08:20
IT IS A NICE HOME.
00:08:21
HE ENCOURAGES ME TO MAINTAIN
AND IMPROVE THE HOME AND
00:08:24
GIVES ME A NUMBER OF
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING THE
00:08:27
HOME A NICE PLACE TO LIVE.
00:08:29
OVER THE YEARS,
I SOMETIMES IMPROVE THE HOME,
00:08:31
BUT OTHER TIMES,
THROUGH MY NEGLIGENCE,
00:08:34
I MAKE IT WORSE.
00:08:35
ONE TIME,
I FLOOD THE HOME WHEN I FAIL
00:08:37
TO SET THE FAUCETS TO DRIP
DURING A FREEZE.
00:08:39
ANOTHER TIME,
MY KITCHEN CATCHES FIRE
00:08:41
BECAUSE I FAIL TO TURN OFF A
BURNER ON THE STOVE.
00:08:44
A COUPLE OF TIMES,
I LOSE MY TEMPER AND PUT
00:08:46
MY FIST THROUGH A WALL.
00:08:49
IN EACH INSTANCE,
THE LANDLORD FORGIVES ME AND
00:08:51
ENCOURAGES ME TO PAY A
LITTLE CLOSER ATTENTION TO
00:08:53
MY HOME AND TO HIS
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING THE
00:08:56
HOME A JOYFUL PLACE TO LIVE.
00:08:58
HE DOES NOT CHARGE ME FOR
THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY
00:09:00
MY MISTAKES.
00:09:01
INSTEAD,
SOMETIMES HE IS PATIENT
00:09:04
WHILE I FIGURE OUT HOW TO
FIX THINGS ON MY OWN;
00:09:07
SOMETIMES HE SENDS SOMEONE
OVER TO FIX THE PROBLEM;
00:09:09
AND, SOMETIMES,
I WAKE UP AND THINGS ARE
00:09:13
FIXED IN WAYS I DON'T QUITE
UNDERSTAND.
00:09:15
THIS SAME LANDLORD HAPPENS
TO HAVE A SON WHO IS
00:09:17
QUITE WAYWARD.
00:09:19
THE SON IS ALWAYS UP TO
NO GOOD AND I DON'T
00:09:21
PARTICULARLY LIKE OR
RESPECT HIM.
00:09:23
ONE NIGHT, THE LANDLORD'S SON,
AS A PRANK,
00:09:25
SETS FIRE TO THE SHED
ATTACHED TO THE BACK OF
00:09:27
MY HOUSE.
00:09:28
THE FIRE GETS OUT OF CONTROL
AND THE ENTIRE HOUSE
00:09:30
BURNS DOWN.
00:09:32
I LOSE THE HOME.
00:09:33
I LOSE ALL OF MY POSSESSIONS,
INCLUDING SOME PARTICULARLY
00:09:36
VALUABLE POSSESSIONS THAT
I CAN'T REPLACE,
00:09:38
SUCH AS PHOTOS AND HEIRLOOMS.
00:09:41
I'M ANGRY AND DISTRAUGHT.
00:09:42
I WANT THE NO GOOD SON
TO PAY.
00:09:45
I WANT HIM TO FIX THINGS AND
TO MAKE ME WHOLE.
00:09:48
A PART OF ME KNOWS HE CAN'T
REALLY MAKE IT BETTER.
00:09:52
HE MAY NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES
TO REBUILD THE HOUSE,
00:09:54
AND EVEN IF HE COULD REBUILD
THE HOUSE,
00:09:56
HE CAN'T RETRIEVE THE PHOTOS
AND HEIRLOOMS.
00:09:59
AND THAT MAKES ME EVEN
ANGRIER.
00:10:01
AS I SIT IN ANGER,
THE LANDLORD COMES TO
00:10:03
VISIT ME.
00:10:04
HE REMINDS ME THAT HE HAS
PROMISED TO TAKE CARE OF ME.
00:10:07
HE PROMISES ME THAT HE IS
WILLING TO REBUILD MY HOUSE.
00:10:10
IN FACT,
HE SAYS THAT HE WILL DO MORE
00:10:13
THAN THAT.
00:10:14
HE WILL REPLACE MY HOUSE
WITH A CASTLE AND THEN GIVE
00:10:16
ME ALL THAT HE HIMSELF HAS.
00:10:19
HE SAYS THAT THIS MIGHT TAKE
A WHILE BUT HE PROMISES IT
00:10:21
WILL HAPPEN.
00:10:23
WHAT'S THE CATCH?
00:10:24
I SAY.
00:10:25
HERE ARE THE CONDITIONS,
HE SAYS.
00:10:28
FIRST, YOU NEED TO PUT YOUR
FAITH IN ME AND TRUST THAT
00:10:30
I REALLY WILL BUILD YOU THAT
CASTLE AND RESTORE ALL
00:10:32
THAT YOU HAVE LOST.
00:10:34
SECOND, YOU NEED TO
CONTINUE TO WORK ON
00:10:36
IMPLEMENTING THE
INSTRUCTIONS I GAVE YOU
00:10:38
ABOUT KEEPING UP YOUR HOUSE.
00:10:40
FINALLY, YOU NEED TO
FORGIVE MY ARSONIST SON,
00:10:44
JUST AS I HAVE FORGIVEN YOU
ALL THESE MANY YEARS.
00:10:47
SOUNDS EASY ENOUGH AND SEEMS
LIKE AN OBVIOUSLY GREAT DEAL,
00:10:50
BUT WHY MIGHT IT BE HARD FOR
THE TENANT TO ACCEPT THE
00:10:53
LANDLORD'S OFFER?
00:10:55
OR, TO MOVE AWAY FROM
THE ANALOGY,
00:10:57
WHY IS IT SOMETIMES SO HARD
FOR US TO FORGIVE OTHERS?
00:11:02
LET ME SUGGEST SOME REASONS:
FIRST, WE ARE PROBABLY ANGRY.
00:11:05
WE WANT THE ARSONIST TO PAY.
00:11:06
BUT IF WE HARBOR THIS SORT
OF ANGER,
00:11:09
WE MAY SPEND SO MUCH TIME
PURSUING THE PERSON WHO
00:11:12
BURNED DOWN OUR HOUSE,
THAT WE DON'T GET AROUND TO
00:11:13
REBUILDING OUR HOUSE.
00:11:16
AS SOMEONE ONCE SAID:
"RESENTMENT IS LIKE TAKING
00:11:18
"POISON AND HOPING THE OTHER
"PERSON DIES."
00:11:21
IT MIGHT ALSO BE HARD TO
FORGIVE BECAUSE
00:11:24
WE CAN'T QUITE BELIEVE THE
LANDLORD WILL FULFILL
00:11:26
HIS PROMISE.
00:11:27
HE'S NEVER FAILED US
WHEN WE'VE MESSED UP
00:11:29
THE HOUSE BEFORE,
BUT WHAT ABOUT THIS TIME?
00:11:33
BESIDES,
IT IS USUALLY EASIER FOR US
00:11:34
TO BELIEVE THAT THE LORD
WILL FORGIVE OUR MISTAKES.
00:11:36
THIS TIME IT IS SOMEONE
ELSE'S MISTAKE.
00:11:39
TRUST CAN BE PARTICULARLY
DIFFICULT IF THE REBUILDING
00:11:42
PROJECT WILL TAKE TIME.
00:11:43
WE WANT THINGS FIXED NOW,
NOT LATER.
00:11:47
TRUST MAY ALSO BE HARDER IN
THE CASE OF LOSSES AND HURTS
00:11:50
THAT DO NOT SEEM EASILY
FIXABLE.
00:11:52
PERHAPS THE LANDLORD CAN
REBUILD THE HOME,
00:11:55
BUT CAN HE REALLY REPLACE
THE PHOTOS AND HEIRLOOMS?
00:11:57
WHAT IF WE LOST A CHILD
IN THE FIRE,
00:12:01
CAN HE REALLY TAKE AWAY
THAT PAIN?
00:12:04
MY TESTIMONY IS THAT THE
ATONEMENT REALLY CAN MAKE US
00:12:06
COMPLETELY WHOLE,
EVEN FOR THOSE THINGS THAT
00:12:09
SEEM LIKE THEY CAN'T BE
FIXED OR REPAIRED.
00:12:13
AS ISAIAH FORETOLD OF
THE SAVIOR:
00:12:15
"THE LORD HATH ANOINTED ME
"TO PREACH GOOD TIDINGS
00:12:19
"UNTO THE MEEK;
"HE HATH SENT ME TO BIND UP
00:12:21
"THE BROKENHEARTED,
"TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO
00:12:23
"THE CAPTIVES,
"TO COMFORT ALL THAT MOURN;
00:12:26
"TO GIVE UNTO THEM BEAUTY
"FOR ASHES,
00:12:28
"THE OIL OF JOY FOR MOURNING."
00:12:31
I RECOGNIZE THAT
THIS DOCTRINE- THAT THE
00:12:34
ATONEMENT CAN HEAL US FROM
THE HURTS OF OTHERS-
00:12:37
IS WELL-ESTABLISHED.
00:12:39
YET, IN MY EXPERIENCE
IT REMAINS DIFFICULT TO TRUST
00:12:42
AND ACCEPT THAT THE
ATONEMENT SERVES THIS PURPOSE.
00:12:46
MY HOPE IS THAT I CAN ADD TO
WHAT HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN
00:12:49
SAID ON THIS TOPIC AND HELP
REMOVE SOME BARRIERS TO
00:12:51
FORGIVENESS BY OFFERING SOME
REASONS WHY WE SHOULD TRUST
00:12:54
THE LORD'S PROMISE.
00:12:58
I TURN FIRST TO THE MOSAIC
LAW AND TO AN INSIGHT I OWE
00:13:00
TO MY MOTHER.
00:13:02
REMEMBER THAT PAUL TAUGHT
THAT THE MOSAIC LAW "WAS OUR
00:13:05
SCHOOLMASTER TO BRING US
UNTO CHRIST."
00:13:09
REMEMBER ALSO CHRIST'S
STATEMENT TO HIS DISCIPLES
00:13:11
IN HIS SERMON ON THE MOUNT:
"THINK NOT THAT I AM COME
00:13:14
"TO DESTROY THE LAW,
"OR THE PROPHETS:
00:13:17
"I AM NOT COME TO DESTROY,
"BUT TO FULFILL.
00:13:20
"FOR VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU,
"TILL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS,
00:13:23
"ONE JOT OR ONE TITTLE SHALL
"IN NO WISE PASS FROM THE LAW,
00:13:27
"TILL ALL BE FULFILLED."
00:13:31
THINK ABOUT CHRIST'S
STATEMENT FOR A MINUTE.
00:13:35
CHRIST WAS COMFORTING HIS
FAITHFUL DISCIPLES-
00:13:37
THOSE WHO LOVED AND
REVERED THE LAW OF MOSES.
00:13:41
HE WAS MAKING SURE THEY KNEW
THAT HIS PLAN WAS TO FULFILL
00:13:44
ALL THE TERMS OF THE
MOSAIC LAW.
00:13:47
BUT WHAT EXACTLY WERE THOSE
TERMS THAT HE WOULD FULFILL?
00:13:51
OUR ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION
TYPICALLY FOCUSES ON THE
00:13:54
PORTION OF THE MOSAIC LAW
THAT ADDRESSED ISRAEL'S
00:13:57
OBLIGATION TO MAKE SACRIFICES.
00:14:00
WE TEND TO EMPHASIZE THE
SAVIOR'S ADMONITION THAT
00:14:02
"YOUR SACRIFICES AND YOUR
BURNT OFFERINGS SHALL
00:14:05
BE DONE AWAY,
AND THAT INSTEAD WE SHOULD
00:14:08
"OFFER FOR A SACRIFICE
A BROKEN HEART AND
00:14:11
A CONTRITE SPIRIT."
00:14:13
OUR USUAL FOCUS ON
THE LAW OF SACRIFICE IS
00:14:17
AGAIN ON OURSELVES- WHAT
SACRIFICES WE NEED TO OFFER
00:14:20
UP TO ACCESS THE POWER OF
THE ATONEMENT AND HEAL OUR
00:14:24
FEELINGS OF GUILT AND REMORSE.
00:14:28
BUT THE LAW OF SACRIFICE WAS
JUST ONE COMPONENT OF THE
00:14:30
MOSAIC LAW.
00:14:32
THE MOSAIC LAW ALSO
INCLUDED DIETARY LAWS AND
00:14:34
CRIMINAL LAWS;
REMEMBER THE LEX TALIONIS,
00:14:37
OF AN EYE-FOR-AN-EYE AND A
TOOTH-FOR-A-TOOTH.
00:14:41
IT ALSO INCLUDED FAMILY LAW,
AND VARIOUS CIVIL LAWS THAT
00:14:44
WE TODAY MIGHT RECOGNIZE AS
TORT OR CONTRACT LAW.
00:14:47
ISN'T IT PLAUSIBLE THAT WHEN
THE SAVIOR SAID HE CAME TO
00:14:49
FULFILL THE LAW,
HE WAS TALKING ABOUT MORE
00:14:52
THAN JUST THE LAW OF SACRIFICE?
00:14:55
SHOULDN'T WE TAKE HIM AT HIS
WORD THAT "ONE JOT OR ONE
00:14:58
TITTLE SHALL IN NO WISE PASS
FROM THE LAW,
00:15:00
TILL ALL BE FULFILLED"?
00:15:03
ALTHOUGH I AM NOT AN EXPERT
ON THE MOSAIC LAW AND SURELY
00:15:06
DO NOT UNDERSTAND EXACTLY
HOW CHRIST FULFILLED THE LAW
00:15:09
IN ALL ITS DIMENSIONS,
LET ME SUGGEST THAT THE
00:15:12
ATONEMENT DID, IN FACT,
ANSWER OTHER DEMANDS OF
00:15:14
THE MOSAIC LAW.
00:15:17
SPECIFICALLY,
I WANT TO FOCUS ON THE CIVIL
00:15:19
LAW COMPONENT OF THE MOSAIC
LAW AND ITS REQUIREMENT THAT
00:15:22
RESTITUTION BE MADE TO
PERSONS HARMED BY THE
00:15:25
WRONGFUL ACTIONS OF ANOTHER.
00:15:26
I DO SO BECAUSE THE
RESTITUTION REQUIREMENT IS
00:15:30
SO IMPORTANT TO
UNDERSTANDING THE DOCTRINE
00:15:32
OF FORGIVENESS.
00:15:34
EXODUS 21 AND 22 SET FORTH
SEVERAL SUCH REQUIREMENTS.
00:15:39
CONSIDER TWO OF MANY
EXAMPLES.
00:15:41
IF A PERSON CAUSED A FIRE TO
BREAK OUT SO THAT THE
00:15:44
"STANDING CORN,
OR THE FIELD,
00:15:47
BE CONSUMED THEREWITH;
HE THAT KINDLED THE FIRE"
00:15:50
WAS REQUIRED TO "MAKE
RESTITUTION."
00:15:53
SIMILARLY, IF SOMEONE CAUSED
HIS LIVESTOCK TO GRAZE IN
00:15:56
THE FIELD OR VINEYARD
OF ANOTHER,
00:15:58
HE WAS OBLIGATED TO MAKE
RESTITUTION OUT OF THE BEST
00:16:02
OF HIS OWN FIELD, AND OF
THE BEST OF HIS OWN VINEYARD.
00:16:06
THIS CONCEPT OF RESTITUTION
REMAINS A KEY PART OF
00:16:11
OUR LAW TODAY.
00:16:12
UNDER TORT LAW,
WHICH IS JUST ANOTHER WORD
00:16:14
FOR PERSONAL INJURY LAW,
COURTS CAN AWARD DAMAGES TO
00:16:17
PERSONS INJURED BY THE
NEGLIGENCE OF ANOTHER;
00:16:19
SIMILARLY,
UNDER CONTRACT LAW,
00:16:21
DAMAGES MAY BE AWARDED TO
THOSE HARMED BY A BREACH
00:16:23
OF CONTRACT.
00:16:24
IN THE CRIMINAL CONTEXT,
MANY STATES ALLOW CRIME
00:16:27
VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES
TO PREPARE VICTIM IMPACT
00:16:30
STATEMENTS WHICH DESCRIBE
THE WAY IN WHICH THEY HAVE
00:16:33
BEEN HARMED.
00:16:34
THE BASIC POINT IS THAT,
JUST LIKE CURRENT LAW,
00:16:37
THE MOSAIC LAW WAS NOT
DESIGNED ONLY TO PUNISH
00:16:41
THE WRONG-DOER.
00:16:43
THE MOSAIC LAW ALSO EXISTED
TO PROTECT,
00:16:45
COMPENSATE AND MAKE WHOLE
THOSE HARMED BY OTHERS,
00:16:50
WHETHER INTENTIONALLY OR
NEGLIGENTLY.
00:16:53
IF CHRIST CAME TO FULFILL
ALL THE TERMS OF THE LAW,
00:16:56
THIS PART OF THE MOSAIC LAW
SHOULD ALSO BE FULFILLED BY
00:16:59
THE ATONEMENT.
00:17:01
IF THE MOSAIC LAW SCHOOLS US
THAT CHRIST INTENDED TO MAKE
00:17:05
FULL RESTITUTION FOR THE
HARMS WE SUFFERED,
00:17:08
IT DOES NOT INDICATE HOW
THAT COULD HAPPEN.
00:17:11
JUST LIKE IT IS DIFFICULT TO
UNDERSTAND EXACTLY HOW THE
00:17:14
ATONEMENT SATISFIES THE
DEMANDS OF JUSTICE FOR
00:17:16
OUR SINS,
IT IS CHALLENGING TO GRASP
00:17:19
HOW THE ATONEMENT WORKS TO
MAKE RESTITUTION TO US FOR
00:17:22
THE SINS OF OTHERS.
00:17:24
AS IS THE CASE WITH MOST
SUCH "HOW" QUESTIONS
00:17:27
IN THE GOSPEL,
WE MUST ULTIMATELY FALL BACK
00:17:29
ON OUR FAITH AND TRUST THE
LORD THAT HIS PROMISES ARE
00:17:32
TRUE EVEN IF THE MECHANISM
IS UNCERTAIN.
00:17:36
BUT AS AN AID TO OUR FAITH,
LET ME SUGGEST A COUPLE OF
00:17:39
WAYS IN WHICH THE ATONEMENT
CAN BE UNDERSTOOD AS MAKING
00:17:42
RESTITUTION.
00:17:44
FIRST, EVEN FOR SOMETHING AS
HORRIBLE AS LOSING A CHILD
00:17:47
BECAUSE OF ANOTHER'S SIN,
THE ATONEMENT INSURES
00:17:50
SIGNIFICANT RESTITUTION
THROUGH THE RESURRECTION.
00:17:53
WE ARE PROMISED THAT EVERY
THING SHALL BE RESTORED TO
00:17:58
ITS PERFECT FRAME.
00:18:00
IN ADDITION,
JUST LIKE THE WEALTHY
00:18:04
LANDLORD IN MY ANALOGY
PROMISED NOT ONLY THAT HE
00:18:06
WOULD BUILD THE TENANT A
CASTLE BUT ALSO GIVE THE
00:18:09
TENANT ALL THAT HE HAD,
IN SCRIPTURE AFTER SCRIPTURE,
00:18:12
THE LORD PROMISES US ALL
THAT HE HAS.
00:18:16
D&C 88:107 STATES: "AND THEN
"SHALL THE ANGELS BE CROWNED
00:18:20
"WITH THE GLORY OF HIS MIGHT,
"AND THE SAINTS FILLED WITH
00:18:23
"HIS GLORY,
"AND RECEIVE THEIR
00:18:25
"INHERITANCE AND BE MADE
"EQUAL TO HIM."
00:18:29
D&C 84:37-38 PROVIDES:
"HE THAT RECEIVETH ME
00:18:33
"RECEIVETH MY FATHER;
"AND HE THAT RECEIVETH MY
00:18:36
"FATHER RECEIVETH MY
"FATHER'S KINGDOM;
00:18:38
"THEREFORE ALL THAT MY FATHER
"HATH SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO HIM."
00:18:41
IF WE CAN INHERIT ALL
THE FATHER HAS,
00:18:46
AND IF ALL WILL BE RESTORED
TO ITS PERFECT FRAME,
00:18:49
IS THERE A REASON WE SHOULD
INSIST THAT THE PERSON WHO
00:18:51
HURT US PAY US BACK.
00:18:52
HASN'T JUSTICE BEEN SATISFIED?
00:18:56
IT IS CRITICAL TO UNDERSTAND
THAT FORGIVING OTHERS IS NOT
00:19:00
JUST A PRACTICAL VIRTUE.
00:19:03
IT IS A PROFOUND ACT OF
FAITH IN THE ATONEMENT AND
00:19:06
THE PROMISE THAT THE
SAVIOR'S SACRIFICE REPAYS
00:19:09
NOT JUST OUR DEBTS TO OTHERS
BUT ALSO THE DEBTS OF
00:19:12
OTHERS TO US.
00:19:14
IN OUR LIVE-AND-LET-LIVE
SOCIETY,
00:19:17
WE MAY BELIEVE THAT BEING
FORGIVING IS JUST ETIQUETTE
00:19:20
AND GOOD MANNERS.
00:19:21
IT IS NOT.
00:19:22
WE MAY THINK THAT
FORGIVENESS REQUIRES US TO
00:19:24
LET MERCY ROB JUSTICE.
00:19:26
IT DOES NOT.
00:19:28
FORGIVENESS DOES NOT
REQUIRE US TO GIVE UP
00:19:30
OUR RIGHT TO RESTITUTION.
00:19:31
IT SIMPLY REQUIRES THAT WE
LOOK TO A DIFFERENT SOURCE.
00:19:36
THE NON-JUDGMENTAL
WORLDLY PHRASES,
00:19:38
DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT,
AND NO BIG DEAL,
00:19:40
ARE NOT ILLUSTRATIONS OF
THE DOCTRINE OF FORGIVENESS.
00:19:44
ON THE CONTRARY,
WHEN A PERSON SINS AGAINST US,
00:19:47
IT CAN BE A VERY BIG DEAL.
00:19:50
THE POINT IS THAT THE
ATONEMENT IS VERY BIG
00:19:52
COMPENSATION THAT CAN TAKE
CARE OF VERY BIG HARMS.
00:19:58
FORGIVENESS DOESN'T MEAN
MINIMIZING THE SIN;
00:20:01
IT MEANS MAXIMIZING OUR
FAITH IN THE ATONEMENT.
00:20:05
MY GREATEST CONCERN IS THAT,
IF WE WRONGLY BELIEVE
00:20:09
FORGIVENESS REQUIRES US TO
MINIMIZE THE HARMS WE SUFFER,
00:20:12
THIS MISTAKEN BELIEF WILL BE
A BARRIER TO DEVELOPING A
00:20:15
FORGIVING HEART.
00:20:17
IT IS OKAY TO RECOGNIZE HOW
GRAVE A SIN IS AND TO DEMAND
00:20:21
OUR RIGHT TO JUSTICE IF OUR
RECOGNITION TRIGGERS
00:20:24
GRATITUDE FOR THE ATONEMENT.
00:20:26
INDEED, THE GREATER THE
SIN AGAINST US-
00:20:29
THE GREATER THE HARM WE
SUFFER- THE MORE WE SHOULD
00:20:31
VALUE THE ATONEMENT.
00:20:34
CONSIDER CHRIST'S PARABLE OF
THE TWO DEBTORS FROM LUKE
00:20:37
CHAPTER 7: 41-43:
AND THERE WAS A CERTAIN
00:20:40
CREDITOR WHICH HAD
TWO DEBTORS:
00:20:42
THE ONE OWED FIVE HUNDRED
PENCE, AND THE OTHER FIFTY.
00:20:45
AND WHEN THEY HAD NOTHING
TO PAY,
00:20:47
HE FRANKLY FORGAVE THEM
BOTH.
00:20:49
TELL ME THEREFORE,
WHICH OF THEM WILL LOVE HIM
00:20:51
MOST?
00:20:52
SIMON ANSWERED AND SAID,
I SUPPOSE THAT HE,
00:20:55
TO WHOM HE FORGAVE MOST.
00:20:57
AND HE SAID UNTO HIM,
THOU HAST RIGHTLY JUDGED.
00:21:02
IF SIMON IS CORRECT THAT THE
GREATER SINNER WILL LOVE THE
00:21:06
LORD EVEN MORE,
DOESN'T THE SAME REASONING
00:21:09
SUGGEST THAT OUR LOVE FOR
THE SAVIOR WILL INCREASE
00:21:12
WHEN HE PAYS A PARTICULARLY
LARGE DEBT OWED TO US?
00:21:16
THERE IS LITTLE VALUE IN
CLAIMING THAT A WRONG
00:21:19
AGAINST US IS SLIGHT.
00:21:21
INSTEAD, IF WE GIVE THE WRONG
ITS FULL WEIGHT,
00:21:24
WE ARE BETTER ABLE TO GIVE
THE LORD A FULL MEASURE OF
00:21:27
GRATITUDE FOR MAKING US
WHOLE.
00:21:31
AND WHEN WE UNDERSTAND THAT
THE LORD PROMISES US
00:21:33
RESTITUTION,
WE CAN RECOGNIZE THAT OUR
00:21:36
ANGER AT OUR VICTIMIZER IS
ULTIMATELY UNNECESSARY.
00:21:40
THIS IN TURN HELPS FREE US
TO LOVE OUR ENEMY AS THE
00:21:43
SAVIOR COMMANDED.
00:21:45
IN SUM,
THE PRINCIPLE OF FORGIVENESS
00:21:48
DOES NOT REQUIRE THAT WE
GIVE UP OUR RIGHT TO JUSTICE
00:21:50
OR THAT WE GIVE UP OUR RIGHT
TO RESTITUTION.
00:21:53
CHRIST ANSWERS THE DEMANDS
OF THE LAW FOR OUR SINS AND
00:21:57
FOR THE SINS OF OTHERS.
00:21:59
WE JUST HAVE TO BE WILLING
TO ACCEPT THAT HE HAS THE
00:22:01
POWER TO DO SO.
00:22:05
NOW, LET ME RETURN BRIEFLY TO
A SUBJECT I RAISED AT THE
00:22:08
BEGINNING OF MY REMARKS.
00:22:09
SPECIFICALLY,
SOME MAY STILL BE WONDERING
00:22:11
WHETHER FOCUSING ON THE
COMMANDMENT OF FORGIVENESS
00:22:13
IS AN ADMISSION AGAINST
INTEREST FOR A LAWYER.
00:22:15
TO PLACE THE QUESTION SQUARELY:
DOES THE COMMANDMENT THAT
00:22:18
WE FORGIVE ALL MEN,
MEAN THAT LITIGATION AND
00:22:20
LAWSUITS ARE INHERENTLY WRONG?
00:22:23
I BELIEVE THE ANSWER TO THIS
QUESTION IS NO.
00:22:26
BUT IT IS AN IMPORTANT
QUESTION THAT EVERY LAWYER
00:22:27
MUST ASK HERSELF AND THAT
EVERY CLIENT SHOULD ALSO
00:22:30
CONFRONT.
00:22:32
INDEED, IT IS OFTEN A QUESTION
WITH WHICH THOSE WHO HAVE
00:22:35
BEEN GRIEVOUSLY HARMED
MUST WRESTLE.
00:22:38
ONE OF THE BEST EXPLORATIONS
OF THIS ISSUE IS CONTAINED
00:22:40
IN A BOOK BY
ELDER DALLIN H. OAKS,
00:22:43
ENTITLED "THE LORD'S WAY."
00:22:44
ELDER OAKS BEGINS BY
REJECTING WHAT HE DESCRIBES
00:22:47
AS TWO "EXTREME" VIEWS-
FIRST, THAT A CHRISTIAN
00:22:51
SHOULD NEVER USE COURTS TO
RESOLVE DISPUTES,
00:22:53
AND SECOND,
THAT THERE ARE NO RELIGIOUS
00:22:56
RESTRAINTS ON PARTICIPATING
IN LITIGATION.
00:22:59
AS AN ASIDE,
ISN'T IT INTERESTING HOW
00:23:01
SUCH TOUGH QUESTIONS OFTEN
CANNOT BE REDUCED TO EASY
00:23:04
ALL-OR-NOTHING ANSWERS.
00:23:06
I HOPE IT IS NOT JUST THE
LAWYER IN ME,
00:23:08
BUT I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND IT
SIMULTANEOUSLY COMFORTING
00:23:11
AND STRESSFUL THAT THE
RESTORED GOSPEL FREQUENTLY
00:23:13
REQUIRES US TO WRESTLE WITH
UNDERSTANDING PRINCIPLES IN
00:23:17
APPARENT TENSION.
00:23:19
THUS, BOTH FAITH AND WORKS
ARE NECESSARY FOR SALVATION;
00:23:23
BOTH FAITH AND REASON ARE
THE WORK OF THIS UNIVERSITY;
00:23:26
BOTH THE BODY AND THE SPIRIT
CONSTITUTE THE SOUL OF MAN;
00:23:30
BOTH PERSONAL INSPIRATION
AND PRIESTHOOD AUTHORITY ARE
00:23:33
IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTANDING
GOD'S WILL.
00:23:36
WHEREAS THE WORLD OFTEN
SUGGESTS THE ANSWER MUST
00:23:38
BE EITHER/OR,
THE RESTORED GOSPEL FINDS A
00:23:42
WAY TO SAY BOTH/AND.
00:23:44
IT SEEMS THAT A CORE
PRINCIPLE OF THE RESTORED
00:23:46
GOSPEL IS THAT WE MUST LEARN
BY OUR EXPERIENCE TO
00:23:49
UNDERSTAND, OBEY,
AND NAVIGATE ETERNAL TRUTHS
00:23:51
THAT MAY APPEAR TO BE IN
SOME TENSION.
00:23:55
PERHAPS MORE ACCURATELY,
WE ARE EXPECTED TO EMBRACE
00:23:57
BOTH SIDES OF SUCH
APPARENTLY OPPOSING
00:23:59
PRINCIPLES.
00:24:03
ALTHOUGH ONE MIGHT BE ABLE
TO CATEGORIZE SOME LAWSUITS
00:24:06
AS CLEARLY IN-BOUNDS OR
OUT-OF-BOUNDS,
00:24:08
ELDER OAKS, UNSURPRISINGLY,
LARGELY ESCHEWS
00:24:11
CATEGORIZATION AND INSTEAD
FOCUSES ON PRINCIPLES OR
00:24:14
PRECONDITIONS THAT SHOULD
GOVERN WHETHER TO FILE
00:24:17
A LAWSUIT.
00:24:18
FOR EXAMPLE,
HE EMPHASIZES THAT WE MUST
00:24:20
BEGIN BY FORGIVING OUR
ADVERSARY AND REMOVING
00:24:22
REVENGE AS A MOTIVE.
00:24:24
WE SHOULD THEN PURSUE
SETTLEMENT AS A
00:24:27
MANIFESTATION OF THE
PRINCIPLE ARTICULATED BY THE
00:24:28
SAVIOR IN MATTHEW CHAPTER 18,
VERSE 15: "IF THY BROTHER
00:24:32
"SHALL TRESPASS AGAINST THEE,
"GO AND TELL HIM HIS FAULT
00:24:34
"BETWEEN THEE AND HIM ALONE:
"IF HE SHALL HEAR THEE,
00:24:38
"THOU HAST GAINED THY BROTHER."
00:24:41
ELDER OAKS ALSO IDENTIFIES
A THIRD PRECONDITION -
00:24:44
THAT A LITIGANT
SHOULD CONSIDER THE IMPACT A
00:24:46
LAWSUIT WILL HAVE ON OTHERS.
00:24:48
AGAIN, THIS IS SIMPLY A
MANIFESTATION OF THE SAVIOR'S
00:24:52
TEACHING OF THE GOLDEN RULE:
"ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER YE
00:24:55
WOULD THAT MEN SHOULD
DO TO YOU,
00:24:57
DO YE EVEN SO TO THEM."
00:24:58
TODAY, LET ME SUGGEST ONE
ADDITIONAL SET OF CRITERIA
00:25:03
BY WHICH THE CONDUCT OF A
LAWYER SHOULD BE JUDGED.
00:25:05
THOSE CRITERIA COME FROM
SECTION 121 OF THE DOCTRINE
00:25:09
& COVENANTS AND ITS
TEACHINGS ON EXERCISING
00:25:11
POWER IN THE PRIESTHOOD.
00:25:12
NOW, I RECOGNIZE THAT A LICENSE
TO PRACTICE LAW IS QUITE
00:25:17
DIFFERENT THAN THE
PRIESTHOOD OF GOD.
00:25:18
PASSING THE BAR DOESN'T GIVE
SOMEONE THE AUTHORITY TO
00:25:21
ACT IN GOD'S NAME,
ALTHOUGH CRITICS MAY
00:25:23
OCCASIONALLY WONDER IF THAT'S
WHAT SOME LAWYERS BELIEVE.
00:25:27
STILL, IF ONE STOPS AND
THINKS ABOUT IT,
00:25:30
A LEGAL EDUCATION AND A
LICENSE TO PRACTICE LAW ARE
00:25:33
INSTRUMENTS OF POWER.
00:25:35
THE POWER FLOWS NOT JUST,
OR EVEN PRIMARILY,
00:25:38
FROM THE STATE'S EXCLUSIVE
LICENSE TO GIVE LEGAL ADVICE,
00:25:41
BUT ALSO FROM THE REFINED
CRITICAL AND ANALYTICAL
00:25:44
THINKING SKILLS,
AND FROM PROBLEM-SOLVING
00:25:46
SKILLS,
THAT CAUSE OTHERS TO LOOK TO
00:25:48
LAWYERS FOR HELP WITH THEIR
MOST VEXING PROBLEMS.
00:25:51
IF, AS LAWYERS,
WE HAVE POWER,
00:25:54
THE QUESTION IS HOW WE
SHOULD USE IT OR,
00:25:57
FOR NON-LAWYERS,
HOW YOU SHOULD EXPECT YOUR
00:26:01
LAWYER TO USE HIS OR HER POWER.
00:26:04
IN THAT REGARD,
LET ME PARAPHRASE A FEW
00:26:06
FAMILIAR VERSES FROM
SECTION 121:
00:26:10
THE POWER OF A LAWYER
CANNOT BE CONTROLLED NOR
00:26:13
HANDLED ONLY UPON THE
PRINCIPLES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
00:26:17
THAT A LICENSE TO PRACTICE
MAY BE CONFERRED UPON US,
00:26:19
IT IS TRUE;
BUT WHEN WE UNDERTAKE TO
00:26:20
COVER OUR SINS,
OR TO GRATIFY OUR PRIDE,
00:26:23
OUR VAIN AMBITION,
OR TO EXERCISE CONTROL OR
00:26:24
DOMINION OR COMPULSION UPON
THE SOULS OF THE CHILDREN
00:26:27
OF MEN,
IN ANY DEGREE OF
00:26:29
UNRIGHTEOUSNESS,
AMEN TO THE AUTHORITY OF
00:26:31
THAT LAWYER.
00:26:33
NO POWER OR INFLUENCE CAN OR
OUGHT TO BE MAINTAINED BY
00:26:36
VIRTUE OF A LAWYER'S STATUS,
ONLY BY PERSUASION,
00:26:38
BY LONG-SUFFERING,
BY GENTLENESS AND MEEKNESS,
00:26:40
AND BY LOVE UNFEIGNED;
BY KINDNESS,
00:26:42
AND PURE KNOWLEDGE,
WHICH SHALL GREATLY ENLARGE
00:26:45
THE SOUL WITHOUT HYPOCRISY,
AND WITHOUT GUILE.
00:26:50
MUCH MORE COULD BE SAID
ON THIS TOPIC,
00:26:53
BUT TODAY I SIMPLY WANT TO
EMPHASIZE THAT,
00:26:56
IF LAWYERS USE THEIR POWER
AND AUTHORITY CONSISTENT
00:26:58
WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF
SECTION 121,
00:27:01
AND IF CLIENTS,
WHO MAY HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED,
00:27:03
LIKEWISE ADHERE TO THESE
ETERNAL YET CHALLENGING
00:27:06
STANDARDS,
LITIGATION NEED NOT STAND IN
00:27:09
OPPOSITION TO THE PRINCIPLE
OF FORGIVENESS.
00:27:11
AS I FINISH,
LET ME RETURN TO THE HEART
00:27:15
OF MY MESSAGE,
WHICH IS THE SAVIOR'S
00:27:17
PROMISE IN MATTHEW THAT HE
WILL "FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS
00:27:20
AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS."
00:27:22
THESE ARE TWO SIDES OF
THE SAME COIN.
00:27:25
WE CAN'T HAVE FAITH IN ONLY
ONE SIDE OF THE ATONEMENT.
00:27:29
TO BE EFFICACIOUS- TO HAVE
SAVING POWER- OUR FAITH IN
00:27:33
CHRIST AND HIS ATONEMENT
MUST INCLUDE BOTH HIS POWER
00:27:36
TO PAY FOR OUR SINS AND HIS
POWER TO PAY FOR THE SINS
00:27:40
OF OTHERS.
00:27:42
HARKING BACK TO MY
LANDLORD-TENANT ANALOGY,
00:27:45
SOMETIMES WE BURN THE HOUSE
DOWN THROUGH OUR OWN
00:27:48
CARELESSNESS-
WE PLAY WITH FIRE.
00:27:51
SOMETIMES THE HOUSE BURNS
DOWN THROUGH NO FAULT
00:27:53
OF OUR OWN-
LIGHTNING STRIKES AND THERE IS
00:27:56
NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.
00:27:58
SOMETIMES OUR HOUSE BURNS
DOWN BECAUSE OF THE
00:28:00
SINS OF OTHERS-
THE LANDLORD'S ARSONIST
00:28:02
SON IN MY ANALOGY.
00:28:04
THE WONDER OF THE ATONEMENT
IS THAT IT WORKS FOR ALL THREE.
00:28:08
BUT OUR OWN RECEIPT OF THE
ATONEMENT IS CONDITIONAL ON
00:28:11
FORGIVING OTHERS.
00:28:13
IF WE DO THAT,
ACCEPT CHRIST,
00:28:16
AND STRIVE TO KEEP HIS
COMMANDMENTS,
00:28:18
WE WILL RECEIVE THE CASTLE
AND ALL ELSE THE FATHER HAS.
00:28:24
IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST,
AMEN.
00:28:30
>>THIS BYU DEVOTIONAL
ADDRESS WITH JAMES RASBAND
00:28:33
WAS GIVEN ON OCTOBER 23, 2012.
