Not Always Wise to Expose Evil

[will]

Some things are better left alone, Take it for what you will.

All we have said about them is truth, but it is not always wise to relate all the truth. Even Jesus, the Son of God, had to refrain from doing so and had to restrain His feelings many times for the safety of Himself and His followers, and had to conceal the righteous purposes of His heart in relation to many things pertaining to his Fathers Kingdom.
Joseph Smith June 27, 1844

[kathyn]

I absolutely agree that this is wise counsel. The Lord expects us to be prudent at times, and just wait until He sets the circumstances where we can act. It's not wise to spit into the wind.

[Kurt]

I agree, thanks.

[will]

I feel we must keep in mind that there are others observing this forum who don't always have the Best intentions for the Saints. Just a thought.

[Col. Flagg]

I feel we must keep in mind that there are others observing this forum who don't always have the Best intentions for the Saints. Just a thought.

Bring 'em on.

[ithink]

I feel we must keep in mind that there are others observing this forum who don't always have the Best intentions for the Saints. Just a thought.

Bring 'em on.

Ditto.

"I'd prefer a straight up fight to all this sneaking around". Han Solo

Is this not the stone cut out of the mountains without hands? I would that thou wert hot or cold. How many times would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not? Wherefore didst thou doubt? The righteous must be preserved, even if it must be by fire. The time to stop sneaking around is over. And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed.

From start to finish, Christ starting his ministry, to his crucifixion, was 3 years. From start (milk) to finish (meat), was just 3 years. From start (the beatitudes), to finish (flipping over money changer tables), was just 3 years.

The church has been here nearly 200 years. If not now, then when? Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours until I come. Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen.

[lundbaek]

The Church leadership is no longer in the freedom fight to even near the extent that it was years ago. Maybe we (and I especially) should take a hint from that.

[buffalo_girl]

EVIL has a way of exposing itself.

Nevertheless, and in the meantime -

Matthew 10
16 ¶ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Doctrine & Covenants 101:81-95 (1833) gives us a clear method for addressing our grievances against the 'unjust judge'. I believe we have a moral obligation to speak in behalf of God's LAW. I am extremely weary of writing, faxing, and calling representatives who ignore our unalienable, God granted rights. Should I stop?

I see that the Joseph Smith quote above was from the very day he was murdered. Perhaps between 1833, 1839 and June 27, 1844 he said and did a few things which he personally came to regret in defiance of his enemies and the enemies of the Saints. I do not know.

And yet, if we hold the Doctrine & Covenants to be Scripture, what then shall we do?

Doctrine & Covenants 123
13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—
14 These should then be attended to with great earnestness.
15 Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.
16 You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.
17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

I have been reading The Book of Daniel the past few days. I felt impressed to do so. Daniel - as was Joseph, sold into Egypt - served as a slave in a great king's administration. Daniel's influence for good in the midst of great power, corruption, and evil is an example for us to emulate.

The Lord will put us where we can fulfill the destiny He hopes for each one of us. It is up to each one of us to be prepared for that destiny.

[lamanite]

The Church leadership is no longer in the freedom fight to even near the extent that it was years ago. Maybe we (and I especially) should take a hint from that.

I've taken a lot of flak lately for taking this position but I have to agree with this statement. I don't like it. None of us do. Perhaps the time is past but it seems the weightier matters of the law are now spiritual preparation of the basics. It happens to us throughout our personal Gospel journeys and it also seems to be happening to the Church in general: time to get back to the basics.

Some words from Dallin H Oaks on the matter:
"I wish to address some “weightier matters” we might overlook if we allow ourselves to focus exclusively on lesser matters. The weightier matters to which I refer are the qualities like faith and the love of God and His work that will move us strongly toward our eternal goals"

[AussieOi]

The Church leadership is no longer in the freedom fight to even near the extent that it was years ago. Maybe we (and I especially) should take a hint from that.

So should we send back (or seal up) ALL of Helamen and Ether, or just Chapter 8 of Ether, or just a few verses?

So when did you decide on the operatioj Lundbaek (neutering?)

Global Church. Individual fight.

As far as I am aware Pres Hinckley said the battle for our soul still rages.

As we've said a MILLION times before here as well, maybe the church won't/ can't do anything UNTIL enough members decide to become mobilised.

as i've said, getting a democrat into the WHITE house was the bes thing that could have hapened to us (here at LDC and us LDS).

at least now those idiot simpleton republican members can get angry abot govt and they might just take that Alex Jones DVD we're all burning off (right) to give to them. maybe watching it they will realise Democrat= Republican = Big Business= Wall Street = Military Industrial. maybe

[ithink]

Some words from Dallin H Oaks on the matter:
"I wish to address some “weightier matters” we might overlook if we allow ourselves to focus exclusively on lesser matters. The weightier matters to which I refer are the qualities like faith and the love of God and His work that will move us strongly toward our eternal goals"

I don't agree with the use of the term "weightier matter" in this statement. What Elder Oaks calls "weightier" I would call "core", or "integral". If we begin calling faith the weightier matter, then what do we start calling the existing "weightier matters"? I've never heard of anyone referring to the details as "lesser matters" either, so this is new. It would be nice to know what the lesser matters are, at least in his mind, so I can know what I don't have to worry about anymore. Maybe it's home teaching, wouldn't that be nice? And what does he consider a "weightier matter" to be? Is the central theme of the Book of Mormon (freedom, according to Benson) now a "lesser matter"? Is the reason Satan was cast out of heaven now a "lesser matter"?

I think I understand what he is saying though, and I agree with that in general, but I wonder about mixing words like this, which causes other words and phrases to lose their meaning.

[lamanite]

I don't agree with the use of the term "weightier matter" in this statement. What Elder Oaks calls "weightier" I would call "core", or "integral". If we begin calling faith the weightier matter, then what do we start calling the existing "weightier matters"? I've never heard of anyone referring to the details as "lesser matters" either, so this is new. It would be nice to know what the lesser matters are, at least in his mind, so I can know what I don't have to worry about anymore. Maybe it's home teaching, wouldn't that be nice? And what does he consider a "weightier matter" to be? Is the central theme of the Book of Mormon (freedom, according to Benson) now a "lesser matter"? Is the reason Satan was cast out of heaven now a "lesser matter"?

I think I understand what he is saying though, and I agree with that in general, but I wonder about mixing words like this, which causes other words and phrases to lose their meaning.

Let me explain a little more about what Dallin H Oaks was talking agout and also about how we have somewhat of an urban legend that seems to propogate on this board: Elder Benson NEVER said that Freedom is the weightier matter of the law. He said it was A WEIGHTY MATTER, even equally as important as other Gospel principles. Here are some exact excerpts from his talk:

"The purposes of the Lord - the great objectives - continue the same: the salvation and exaltation of his children..."
"The overall objective to be accomplished in missionary work, temple work, providing for the needy, and bringing up our children in righteousness has always been the same..."
"As important as are all other principles of the gospel, it was the freedom issue which determined whether you received a body..."
"You're too involved in other Church work," says the devil. But freedom is a weighty matter of the law; the lesser principles of the gospel you should keep but not leave this one undone. We may have to balance and manage our time better."

On the other hand, Dallin H Oaks explained (cut for brevity, but link for entire article on lds.org is found at the end):

"In speaking of weightier matters, I seek to contrast our ultimate goals in eternity with the mortal methods or short-term objectives we use to pursue them. The Apostle Paul described the difference between earthly perspectives and eternal ones in these words: “We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18).

If we concentrate too intently on our obvious earthly methods or objectives, we can lose sight of our eternal goals, which the Apostle called “things … not seen.” If we do this, we can forget where we should be headed and in eternal terms go nowhere. We do not improve our position in eternity just by flying farther and faster in mortality, but only by moving knowledgeably in the right direction. As the Lord told us in modern revelation, “That which the Spirit testifies unto you … ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation” (D&C 46:7; emphasis added).

We must not confuse means and ends. The vehicle is not the destination. If we lose sight of our eternal goals, we might think that the most important thing is how fast we are moving and that any road will get us to our destination. The Apostle Paul described this attitude as “hav[ing] a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge” (Rom. 10:2). Zeal is a method, not a goal. Zeal—even a zeal toward God—needs to be “according to knowledge” of God’s commandments and His plan for His children. In other words, the weightier matter of the eternal goal must not be displaced by the mortal method, however excellent in itself.
...
My next example in this message on weightier matters is the role of choice, or agency.

Few concepts have more potential to mislead us than the idea that choice, or agency, is an ultimate goal. For Latter-day Saints, this potential confusion is partly a product of the fact that moral agency—the right to choose—is a fundamental condition of mortal life. Without this precious gift of God, the purpose of mortal life could not be realized. To secure our agency in mortality we fought a mighty contest the book of Revelation calls a “war in heaven.” This premortal contest ended with the devil and his angels being cast out of heaven and being denied the opportunity of having a body in mortal life (see Rev. 12:7–9).

But our war to secure agency was won. The test in this postwar mortal estate is not to secure choice but to use it—to choose good instead of evil so that we can achieve our eternal goals. In mortality, choice is a method, not a goal..."

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?v ... &hideNav=1

[lamanite]

Is the central theme of the Book of Mormon (freedom, according to Benson) now a "lesser matter"?

do u have a reference for this? just curious, the only central theme I've ever heard the BoM having was Jesus Christ. I haven't heard this before but would be interested in reading more.

[ithink]

I don't agree with the use of the term "weightier matter" in this statement. What Elder Oaks calls "weightier" I would call "core", or "integral". If we begin calling faith the weightier matter, then what do we start calling the existing "weightier matters"? I've never heard of anyone referring to the details as "lesser matters" either, so this is new. It would be nice to know what the lesser matters are, at least in his mind, so I can know what I don't have to worry about anymore. Maybe it's home teaching, wouldn't that be nice? And what does he consider a "weightier matter" to be? Is the central theme of the Book of Mormon (freedom, according to Benson) now a "lesser matter"? Is the reason Satan was cast out of heaven now a "lesser matter"?

I think I understand what he is saying though, and I agree with that in general, but I wonder about mixing words like this, which causes other words and phrases to lose their meaning.

Let me explain a little more about what Dallin H Oaks was talking agout and also about how we have somewhat of an urban legend that seems to propogate on this board: Elder Benson NEVER said that Freedom is the weightier matter of the law. He said it was A WEIGHTY MATTER, even equally as important as other Gospel principles. Here are some exact excerpts from his talk:

"The purposes of the Lord - the great objectives - continue the same: the salvation and exaltation of his children..."
"The overall objective to be accomplished in missionary work, temple work, providing for the needy, and bringing up our children in righteousness has always been the same..."
"As important as are all other principles of the gospel, it was the freedom issue which determined whether you received a body..."
"You're too involved in other Church work," says the devil. But freedom is a weighty matter of the law; the lesser principles of the gospel you should keep but not leave this one undone. We may have to balance and manage our time better."

On the other hand, Dallin H Oaks explained (cut for brevity, but link for entire article on lds.org is found at the end):

"In speaking of weightier matters, I seek to contrast our ultimate goals in eternity with the mortal methods or short-term objectives we use to pursue them. The Apostle Paul described the difference between earthly perspectives and eternal ones in these words: “We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18).

If we concentrate too intently on our obvious earthly methods or objectives, we can lose sight of our eternal goals, which the Apostle called “things … not seen.” If we do this, we can forget where we should be headed and in eternal terms go nowhere. We do not improve our position in eternity just by flying farther and faster in mortality, but only by moving knowledgeably in the right direction. As the Lord told us in modern revelation, “That which the Spirit testifies unto you … ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation” (D&C 46:7; emphasis added).

We must not confuse means and ends. The vehicle is not the destination. If we lose sight of our eternal goals, we might think that the most important thing is how fast we are moving and that any road will get us to our destination. The Apostle Paul described this attitude as “hav[ing] a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge” (Rom. 10:2). Zeal is a method, not a goal. Zeal—even a zeal toward God—needs to be “according to knowledge” of God’s commandments and His plan for His children. In other words, the weightier matter of the eternal goal must not be displaced by the mortal method, however excellent in itself.
...
My next example in this message on weightier matters is the role of choice, or agency.

Few concepts have more potential to mislead us than the idea that choice, or agency, is an ultimate goal. For Latter-day Saints, this potential confusion is partly a product of the fact that moral agency—the right to choose—is a fundamental condition of mortal life. Without this precious gift of God, the purpose of mortal life could not be realized. To secure our agency in mortality we fought a mighty contest the book of Revelation calls a “war in heaven.” This premortal contest ended with the devil and his angels being cast out of heaven and being denied the opportunity of having a body in mortal life (see Rev. 12:7–9).

But our war to secure agency was won. The test in this postwar mortal estate is not to secure choice but to use it—to choose good instead of evil so that we can achieve our eternal goals. In mortality, choice is a method, not a goal..."

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?v ... &hideNav=1

Nothing Elder Oaks says here gives any indication of what a "weightier matter" is, or what a "lesser matter" is. He talks about zeal as a method, but a method to "what"? What "what" is is what he never tells us.

And distinguishing "the weightier matter" from "a weightier matter" is not helpful simply because you say it is different, unless you can distinguish any other "weightier matter" for us. Sure, I guess Elder Oaks tells us faith is a weightier matter, but if so, then as an anchor -- yes, but is not faith is a method, like zeal? And what of all this if not to knowledge? Does this not just become an argument to end all discussion under the pretext of "we need milk before meat", or by obfuscating the lack of knowledge by calling the methods (faith, zeal) the weightier matters when weightier matters clearly refer to knowledge, the requisite companion to bridle zeal!

[buffalo_girl]

It took some faith on Daniel's part to refuse to worship the gold image. His faith must have been perfect to have survived the lion's den.

He spoke very frankly against the evil works he encountered. He wasn't 'zealous', but he lived on the very frontier of his faith in the Lord. Some might call him a 'risk taker'.

[lamanite]

Nothing Elder Oaks says here gives any indication of what a "weightier matter" is, or what a "lesser matter" is. He talks about zeal as a method, but a method to "what"? What "what" is is what he never tells us.

And distinguishing "the weightier matter" from "a weightier matter" is not helpful simply because you say it is different, unless you can distinguish any other "weightier matter" for us. Sure, I guess Elder Oaks tells us faith is a weightier matter, but if so, then as an anchor -- yes, but is not faith is a method, like zeal? And what of all this if not to knowledge? Does this not just become an argument to end all discussion under the pretext of "we need milk before meat", or by obfuscating the lack of knowledge by calling the methods (faith, zeal) the weightier matters when weightier matters clearly refer to knowledge, the requisite companion to bridle zeal!

I agree that it could be more clear in comparison. This is exactly how I feel about Elder Benson's talk that says "a weighty matter" and references lesser principles. But it does not specify which Gospel principles are "lesser principles" than freedom. Home Teaching? Word of Wisdom? Unfortunately, I fear that there are some who consider ALL gospel principles to be lesser principles when compared to freedom (even when this is clearly not what Benson was saying). Luckily we are not told to by Elder Benson to choose, but to do them all.

In regards to Elder Oaks's talk, he is showing that in some ways, the Saints get too caught up in the vehicles, or methods than our end purposes. The examples he uses of things that people can get too blinded in are family, agency, and diversity. He states that all of these things can be tools for our ultimate purposes, but if we neglect the end purpose, we have only been distracted and it does us no good. I think I forgot to include his summary:

"In conclusion, diversity and choice are not the weightier matters of the law. The weightier matters that move us toward our goal of eternal life are love of God, obedience to His commandments, and unity in accomplishing the work of His Church." (Let's be clear that several times it has been pointed out that issues of the Constitution, law enforcement, government, or politics ARE NOT included in the work of the church - I would propose this statement refers to the Three-fold Mission of the Church).

Also, Oaks points out that issues of (free) agency and choice are different from many matters that fall under the category of Freedom. But many will try to equate the two to show that freedom was so important that it is the continuation of the fight for agency in the War in Heaven (which idea Elder Oaks clearly refutes in this address). My personal take is that as long as we do not neglect the milk of the Gospel, we will have the Spirit and will hopefully not get too caught up in the methods vs. the end-goal. We must never assume that once we are able to bear the meat we can move on and forget about the milk. The milk part never goes away and if it does, we end up needing to start all over again!

[JustPullinYourChain]

Hey Guys,

C'mon over to the Sisters in Zion thread.

We are talking about sex!

[ithink]

Nothing Elder Oaks says here gives any indication of what a "weightier matter" is, or what a "lesser matter" is. He talks about zeal as a method, but a method to "what"? What "what" is is what he never tells us.

And distinguishing "the weightier matter" from "a weightier matter" is not helpful simply because you say it is different, unless you can distinguish any other "weightier matter" for us. Sure, I guess Elder Oaks tells us faith is a weightier matter, but if so, then as an anchor -- yes, but is not faith is a method, like zeal? And what of all this if not to knowledge? Does this not just become an argument to end all discussion under the pretext of "we need milk before meat", or by obfuscating the lack of knowledge by calling the methods (faith, zeal) the weightier matters when weightier matters clearly refer to knowledge, the requisite companion to bridle zeal!

I agree that it could be more clear in comparison. This is exactly how I feel about Elder Benson's talk that says "a weighty matter" and references lesser principles. But it does not specify which Gospel principles are "lesser principles" than freedom. Home Teaching? Word of Wisdom? Unfortunately, I fear that there are some who consider ALL gospel principles to be lesser principles when compared to freedom (even when this is clearly not what Benson was saying). Luckily we are not told to by Elder Benson to choose, but to do them all.

In regards to Elder Oaks's talk, he is showing that in some ways, the Saints get too caught up in the vehicles, or methods than our end purposes. The examples he uses of things that people can get too blinded in are family, agency, and diversity. He states that all of these things can be tools for our ultimate purposes, but if we neglect the end purpose, we have only been distracted and it does us no good. I think I forgot to include his summary:

"In conclusion, diversity and choice are not the weightier matters of the law. The weightier matters that move us toward our goal of eternal life are love of God, obedience to His commandments, and unity in accomplishing the work of His Church." (Let's be clear that several times it has been pointed out that issues of the Constitution, law enforcement, government, or politics ARE NOT included in the work of the church - I would propose this statement refers to the Three-fold Mission of the Church).

Also, Oaks points out that issues of (free) agency and choice are different from many matters that fall under the category of Freedom. But many will try to equate the two to show that freedom was so important that it is the continuation of the fight for agency in the War in Heaven (which idea Elder Oaks clearly refutes in this address). My personal take is that as long as we do not neglect the milk of the Gospel, we will have the Spirit and will hopefully not get too caught up in the methods vs. the end-goal. We must never assume that once we are able to bear the meat we can move on and forget about the milk. The milk part never goes away and if it does, we end up needing to start all over again!

lamanite: the fight for freedom, which is the fight to retain your agency, is what this is all about, is it not? I fully realize that the church teaches very specifically how to refrain from losing your agency yourself. A good start there is in obeying the 10 commandments. What constitutes a weightier matter is not a simple shifting of words to draw our attention to faith. The weightier matter is this: to lose your agency to another individual or group through political means by force is one thing, but to lose it voluntarily is quite another, because that agency, once lost, is nearly impossible to reclaim. But it only get's worse: if through your own loss of agency and slothfulness you allow / permit / encourage others to lose their agency also to the same forces, then you are participating in the failure to address the weightier matters of the law. In short, if you lose your agency through sin, that can be reclaimed by you personally within 1 year, in almost all circumstances. However, if you lose your agency to another person, you may never be able to claim that agency again without shedding blood. This is the problem, and we are going to live through the results of an entire generation failing to realize what the weightier matters are.

Some childish adults call the constant attention given to liberty a "pet" doctrine. Very well, but is not the complete and nearly universal failure to discuss these things by some people also the same but opposite side of the "pet" doctrine coin?

[Kurt]

I think that gospel principles are the weightier matters he was refering too, whereas, day to day activities may be less weighty.

[lamanite]

It would be nice to know what the lesser matters are, at least in his mind, so I can know what I don't have to worry about anymore. Maybe it's home teaching, wouldn't that be nice?

That would be my dream come true. But alas, we hope in vain because home teaching is something so weighty that even freedom itself can't compare...

It seems I have been misquoted. I did not say those words.

[lamanite]

lamanite: the fight for freedom, which is the fight to retain your agency, is what this is all about, is it not? I fully realize that the church teaches very specifically how to refrain from losing your agency yourself. A good start there is in obeying the 10 commandments. What constitutes a weightier matter is not a simple shifting of words to draw our attention to faith. The weightier matter is this: to lose your agency to another individual or group through political means by force is one thing, but to lose it voluntarily is quite another, because that agency, once lost, is nearly impossible to reclaim. But it only get's worse: if through your own loss of agency and slothfulness you allow / permit / encourage others to lose their agency also to the same forces, then you are participating in the failure to address the weightier matters of the law. In short, if you lose your agency through sin, that can be reclaimed by you personally within 1 year, in almost all circumstances. However, if you lose your agency to another person, you may never be able to claim that agency again without shedding blood. This is the problem, and we are going to live through the results of an entire generation failing to realize what the weightier matters are.

Some childish adults call the constant attention given to liberty a "pet" doctrine. Very well, but is not the complete and nearly universal failure to discuss these things by some people also the same but opposite side of the "pet" doctrine coin?

Who says it's a pet doctrine? Or who says genealogy or missionary work or emergency preparedness or any other doctrine is a pet doctrine? Not me. Would I even be frequenting this board if I thought so? Certainly not. But it does seem like the Church is shifting the focus (just like lundbaek said). Don't blame the shifting of words on me. I'm just posting what Benson actually said and also what Elder Oaks said. I like your reasoning on agency, but here is the flip-side:

If you spend all your days working on the basics (faith, repentance, baptism, holy ghost, etc) then it is well with you. But you will have difficulty and also be under condemnation if you do not sufficiently defend your freedom. But even if you lose your freedom, you can still repent and do the basics for salvation. Freedom is a vehicle that facilitates gospel principles (as Elder Oaks says- a method). However if you spend all of your time fighting for freedom but neglect the basic principles and ordinances of the Gospel, then you have no chance at salvation. At all. So what do you think the weightier issue is? I'm not saying we should pick one or the other. We should do BOTH! Just make sure you don't omit the weightier issues.

[Kurt]

It would be nice to know what the lesser matters are, at least in his mind, so I can know what I don't have to worry about anymore. Maybe it's home teaching, wouldn't that be nice? And what does he consider a "weightier matter" to be?

That would be a dream come true But alas, we hope in vain because home teaching is something so weighty that even freedom itself can't compare...

[ithink]

However if you spend all of your time fighting for freedom but neglect the basic principles and ordinances of the Gospel, then you have no chance at salvation. At all. So what do you think the weightier issue is? I'm not saying we should pick one or the other. We should do BOTH! Just make sure you don't omit the weightier issues.

I agree that we should do it all, but for those that do err in one way or another, there is more than one way to have your sins remitted. Recall the scripture that bringing souls to Christ will hide "a multitude of sins". Salvation is a free gift at the end, after all that we can do, but not because of what we did. Salvation will come, but because of what Christ did alone. We ameliorate our situations by doing good -- any kind of good. We deteriorate our situations by doing evil, and make ourselves unworthy of being claimed by Christ at the last day.

So YES, do all we can, but NO, there is no way of knowing what acts of righteousness, what battles for freedom, what lives of charity will qualify us to receive salvation, even in the lives of those that "neglected the basic principles and ordinances". This must be so, because even fighting a battle for freedom itself strikes at the core of everything we do, for without freedom, we cannot accomplish anything else. So I doubt that anyone fighting for liberty can be written off as missing the principles of the gospel since agency, freedom, and liberty, are WHY we have the gospel in the first place.